Now that Groundhog Day has come and gone, the ritual of spring cleaning is here. Originally spring cleaning was a necessary ritual from the cold winters of wood burning and kerosene lamps that would leave soot and grime throughout the home. Today, spring cleaning allows us to throw open our windows and let the fresh [...]
Many of our customers have Factory Built Fireplace Chimney Systems. You can distinguish these chimneys from a masonry chimney by the fact that the chase is usually covered in aluminum siding. These fireplaces were and still are a popular choice for new construction because they allow the homeowner to have a fireplace for less cost [...]
Are you ready to become a first time home owner? This is a great time as the market is open to new buyers in many ways and interest rates are low. Are you ready for this journey to home ownership? Let’s discuss some items to consider as a first time buyer of a home. Ask [...]
Trees are wonderful. They provide us with oxygen, shade, beautiful scenery, fruit, and a rainbow of colors in the fall – just to mention a few things! Sometimes they can cause problems, too, especially when weather causes them to become unstable or destructive. It’s important to keep your trees healthy and stable for their well-being [...]
This soup is one of my favorites and is perfect on a crisp fall evening. Enjoy the recipe below: Vichyssoise (or Potato Leek Soup) Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 6 medium leeks, chopped 1 1/4 pounds all-purpose potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 6 cups poultry stock, chicken broth, vegetable stock, vegetable broth, or water 1 [...]
This Plum Cake recipe is delicious and versatile as you can use fruits that are in season, like apples in the fall and berries in the summer. It is one of my all time favorite recipes and I hope your family and you enjoy it also! Ingredients: 2 cup Bisquick mix 2/3 cup (skim or [...]
Fire officials say it’s more important than ever to get your chimney checked out before you start a fire this fall and winter. Remember that Earthquake we had in Maryland just a short while ago? Many Maryland residents have found that upon inspection their chimneys have structural damages contributed to the magnitude of the Earthquake. [...]
One of the more common questions I am hearing from buyers these days are “should I purchase a Short Sale?” The answer depends on the property, the seller’s situation and the buyer’s situation. A Short Sale is when a home owner is selling their home for less than what they owe on their mortgage. The [...]
This past week those of us on the East Coast experienced an Earthquake, shaking many of us, emotionally, as well as our home and work places! The team at McDowell’s Complete Chimney Services has spent our past week stabilizing cracked and fallen chimneys due to August 23rd’s Earthquake. We have seen first hand fallen debris [...]
Here is a gift for every Father to have someone else do their landscaping for a day! To see my home before and after – there was certainly a Wow factor. I truly wish I had taken the before and after shots…to give you the reader the true visual. Check out the video though because [...]
