In the Midwest, we get warm, humid days in summer and bitter, blowing, cold, snowy days in winter. As the snow falls and the temperatures drop below freezing, you will probably be hankering to warm yourself by sitting beside a lit fireplace. But that pleasure includes a catch; fireplaces and wood-burning stoves need maintenance. Fortunately, you have Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Ankeny, ready to provide the quality service you need!
Cleaning the Fireplaces and Chimneys of Ankeny, Iowa
Why is chimney cleaning important?
When you burn wood in your fireplace, creosote (or “soot”) builds up in the chimney. If too much of that flammable substance accumulates, a chimney fire could erupt.
What are the regulations for chimney inspections?
Different regulations have been put in place by both the National Fireplace Protection Association (NFPA) and the manufacturers of fireplaces and heating stoves. For the most part, you will be recommended to have you masonry fireplace or factory-built fireplace swept out when the thickness of the soot reaches 1/8”, while bio-fuel pellet stoves and wood stoves should be swept every year. These regulations not being followed is often the reason for why manufacturers won’t honor warranties.
How often must a fireplace be cleaned?
No matter how frequently you use your fireplace, the answer is yearly. According to the NFPA’s Code 211,
“Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”
Even if you use your fireplace infrequently, you should be wary of using it in the event that it has fallen into disrepair.
How Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Ankeny Cleans Chimneys
Our Tools Stand Among the Finest in the Trade
Safe to use on both hard surfaces and carpet, our HEPA, centrifugal-gravity, dust-extractor vacuum can remove soot and ash in a single pass. Not to mention, it won’t even leave any ash or soot particles in the air. Our quietly-running, triple-filtration vacuum is made in Germany and unmatched in the hearth maintenance field.
Types of Inspections We Offer
Your annual inspection is most often just a Level I inspection, which is when a technician scans the easily reached parts of your fireplace and chimney. Level II is required for new homeowners, as well as property managers and realtors whenever property changes ownership. This is a combination of the standard scan just described and a live-video scan to inspect any damage or debris inside the chimney.
Dryer Vent Maintenance Service in Ankeny, Iowa
Why should dryer vent cleaning matter to homeowners?
Lots of debris (including lint and pet hair) gets blown out of your dryer and into the adjoining vent every time you dry your clothes. That material may combine with strong electrical heat to cause a fire if nobody cleans the vent regularly.
How often should the dryer vent be cleaned?
Your dryer vent should be cleaned once a year. The area surrounding the vent and all the hook-ups should be checked for damage every 6 months. Tiny holes may develop in the flexible connector behind the dryer, causing dust and carbon monoxide to invade. Plastic flexible connectors are not code and must be replaced with semi-rigid aluminum or a similar type of UL-listed material.
Ankeny, Iowa can undergo its share of cold temperatures. Let the experts at Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Ankeny keep your wood-burning fireplace, gas-burning fireplace, wood-burning stove, pellet stove, or dryer vent in excellent shape! We are Ankeny’s preferable service for chimney sweeping and dryer vent cleaning.
Ankeny, Iowa is the home to numerous farms, which produce an abundance of soy beans, corn, and hogs for the American heartland. Midtown Chimney Sweeps proudly serves the farmers of America!
