Located right on the beautiful lake for which their city is named, Clear Lake residents go through the complete set of seasons, including snowy and frigid winters. A favorite way to warm up during those chilly months is to get comfortable by the lit fireplace. But homeowners must remember that fireplaces, in addition to chimneys and heating stoves, require maintenance. Fortunately, you have Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Clear Lake right in your community!
Fireplace and Chimney Cleaning Needs in Clear Lake, Iowa
Why is chimney cleaning important for homeowners?
Creosote (more commonly known as “soot”) accumulates in your chimney as smoke rises from your fireplace. If too much of this flammable substance gathers, you might find yourself dealing with a chimney fire.
What are the inspection regulations for chimneys?
Different regulations have been put in place by both the National Fireplace Protection Association and the manufacturer of your fireplace or stove. Most recommend that masonry fireplaces and factory-built fireplaces be swept out when the buildup of soot reaches 1/8”, while pellet and wood stoves should be swept every year. If you don’t follow those regulations, manufacturers probably won’t honor warranties.
How often does a fireplace need sweeping?
No matter how frequently you use your fireplace, more than likely, the answer is yearly. According to the National Fire Protection Association Document 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.” There is even a danger in using your fireplace infrequently if it has fallen into disrepair.
How Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Clear Lake Cleans Chimneys
Our Tools Are Among the Best In the Chimney 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 while leaving the air clean. Our quiet, triple-filtration vacuum is made in Germany and unmatched in the industry.
Types of Inspections That We Offer
Your annual inspection is most often a Level I inspection- a thorough visual scan over the external parts of the fireplace. Level II is required for new homeowners, property managers when property changes ownership, and realtors. This is a combination of a visual scan and a live video scan to inspect for damage or debris inside the chimney.
We Maintain the Dryer Vents of Clear Lake, Iowa
Why is dryer vent cleaning important?
Lots of debris, such as lint and pet hair, are blown out of your dryer into the dryer vent every time you use the clothes dryer. This accumulation of lint, combined with high electrical heat, can cause a fire if not cleaned out 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 examined for damage every 6 months. Tiny holes may develop in the flexible connector behind the dryer, allowing dust or monoxide to enter the residence. Plastic flexible connectors are not code and must be replaced with semi-rigid aluminum or similar type of UL-Listed product.
Be safe and content as you enjoy the warmth of your fireplace during winter. Let the experts at Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Clear Lake keep your wood-burning fireplace, gas-burning fireplace, wood-burning stove, pellet stove, or dryer vent in wonderful condition!
Proudly Serving These Iowa Cities
We’re privileged to improve the chimneys, fireplaces, and dryer vents of Clear Lake, Mason City, Emery, Burchinal, Rockwell, Freeman, Nora Springs, Rockford, Swaledale, Sheffield, Dougherty, Aredale, Greene, Marble Rock, Charles City, Roseville, Floyd, Bassett, Ionia, Bradford, and Powersville!
