Our Services
What goes into a chimney cleaning in Indian Mound Village
Points our sweeps check while cleaning in Indian Mound Village, and the guidance behind each.
How firewood affects what we find in the flue
The EPA's Burn Wise program advises seasoning firewood for at least six months and storing it outdoors, off the ground, with only the top covered, since covering the sides traps moisture. It also recommends checking wood with a moisture meter before burning it.
Wet wood burns poorly and smoky, and that smoke leaves more residue on the inside of the flue. If our sweeps find heavy deposits, we ask about the wood you burn and how it is stored. Changing that is often the cheapest way to keep the next cleaning light, and it makes for a better fire in the meantime. We are happy to look at your woodpile while we are there if you would like a second opinion.
Getting ready for your sweep
Please let the fireplace go cold before we arrive. We ask that no fire be lit the evening before a morning visit, and the ash can stay where it is, since we clear it ourselves as part of the cleaning.
Clear the mantel of fragile items, keep pets in another room and let us know about anything that affects roof access, such as a locked gate or a dog in the yard. If the fireplace has glass doors or a screen that is hard to remove, tell us when you book. A little preparation keeps the visit short and the room clean. If we should use a particular entrance or park in a certain spot, mention that too.
Houses with more than one flue
Many chimneys carry more than one flue: a second fireplace, a stove, or a furnace or water heater vent sharing the same masonry stack. Each flue is its own passage and needs to be identified before cleaning is priced.
We confirm which flue serves which appliance, clean the ones you have booked and point out any that look neglected or blocked. Fuel-burning appliances other than wood fireplaces have their own service requirements, so we tell you when a flue needs a different kind of visit. Your estimate lists each flue separately, so nothing is assumed and nothing is missed. If you are unsure which appliances use the chimney, we will trace each flue with you during the visit.
