Chimney questions
Short, plain answers to what people ask about sweeps, cleaning, inspections and repairs, and what a visit involves. If yours is missing, ask by phone or form.
Sweeping and cleaning
How often should a chimney be swept?
It depends on how much and what you burn. The usual guide for a masonry fireplace is to sweep when the soot reaches about an eighth of an inch, and an inspection each year tells you when that is.
Is a sweep the same as a cleaning?
No. A sweep brushes off a light coat of loose soot. Cleaning is the deeper job for hard, glazed creosote, smoke chamber and damper buildup, nests and odor.
Why does my fireplace smell in humid weather?
Damp soot and creosote give off more odor when the air is humid. Cleaning out the deposits is the lasting fix, and a candle is not.
Can a chemical log replace a sweep?
No. Chemical logs are not a substitute for mechanical cleaning and an inspection, because they cannot clear a nest or show a cracked flue tile.
Inspections and repairs
What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2?
Level 1 covers what can be reached and seen without special tools. Level 2 adds an HD video camera in the flue, and it fits a sale, a fire, a storm or a change of appliance.
Do I need an inspection if I rarely use the fireplace?
Yes. The NFPA 211 standard asks for a yearly inspection even for a chimney used little, because animals may nest in the flue and the chimney can deteriorate unseen.
How do I know my chimney needs repair?
Crumbling mortar, a cracked crown, a loose cap, water stains near the chimney or flue tile in the firebox are reasons to look. We say so when a repair is not needed.
Visits and booking
What happens during a visit?
We lay cloths at the hearth, look at the firebox and flue, do the work, and tell you what we found. You decide about anything beyond that.
How do I book a visit?
Call (847) 380-9496 or fill in the form on the contact page. The form is open at any hour, and we call you back to agree a time.
When is the office open?
The Google listing shows the office open from 7 AM to 9 PM every day of the week. Online requests are taken 24 hours a day.
Which towns do you serve?
We work in Mundelein and the towns within about ten miles of it, in Lake County. The full list is on the service area page, and we come to your home.
Request a visit
Tell us what the chimney is doing and leave your number. We call you back to set a time.