Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Interested In A New Fireplace This Winter?

Fall has finally arrived and winter is just around the corner! We’re still enjoying mild temperatures and weather. That’s why now is the perfect time to consider adding a new fireplace to your home for the upcoming winter!

Do you already have an existing fireplace? Perhaps you want to add a brand new heating appliance? If so, updating your home with a new fireplace is easier than ever. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, our wide variety of fireplaces, gas log sets, stoves, accessories, and more ensures you can find the perfect new heating appliance for your home.

Benefits of a new fireplace.

There are many reasons why homeowners decide to update their home with a new fireplace. Below are just a few of the many benefits of installing a new fireplace this winter!

1. Increased efficiency.
   Modern fireplaces are extremely efficient, ensuring homeowners get the most bang for their buck. While traditional open hearth masonry fireplaces burn with only 5-10% efficiency, fireplace inserts can burn with up to 90% efficiency. According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Association, this can reduce energy costs by as much as 40%.
2. Environmentally friendly.
   All fireplaces, stoves, and inserts must meet standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This helps minimize smoke and particulate emissions. Doing this makes the air cleaner for both your family and the rest of the community.
3. Variety of fuel options.
   Having a wood burning fireplace doesn’t mean you have to use wood forever. Installing a new fireplace allows many homeowners to switch fuel sources to wood, gas, or pellets.
4. Style choices for every home.
   Fireplaces come in a wider variety of styles than ever before. Whether your preferred style is French Country or sleek contemporary, there is a fireplace for every home!

Why shop with Clean Sweeps of Michigan?

When shopping for a new fireplace or insert, it can be tempting to head to the nearest big box store to browse. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these stores lack staff with the knowledge to help you find the best new heating appliance for your home. Instead of spending hours wandering around a giant home improvement store, trust the fireplace experts to help you find the perfect new heating appliance.

Conveniently located just outside of Ann Arbor at our main facility in Clarklake, the Clean Sweeps of Michigan fireplace store showcases the best of the best in the fireplace industry. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect new fireplace for your home based on your heating needs, size specifications, and personal preferences.

In addition to helping you find the perfect heating appliance for your home, our staff can also install it! Having your new fireplace or fireplace accessories installed by fireplace professionals ensures it is installed correctly and working safely and efficiently. This gives homeowners the peace of mind to sit back, relax, and enjoy their fireplace all winter long.

Winter’s cold weather is just around the corner! This year, prepare your home and your family by installing a new, energy efficient fireplace. To learn more about our wide selection of wood and gas burning fireplaces and accessories, contact the expert staff at Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

Make Sure Your Masonry Repairs Are Made Before Winter Weather Hits

In mid-Michigan, northern Ohio, and northern Indiana, we are no strangers to wintry weather and cold temperatures. For many of us, our fireplaces are a way to add heat to our homes. In addition, create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere during the long months of fall and winter. Damage to a chimneys masonry, however, may prevent your family from enjoying the fireplace. This is especially true if it is not repaired before winter weather arrives!

How masonry damage affects your chimney.

Masonry is one of the strongest and most durable building materials available, making it perfect for fireplace and chimney construction where it is exposed to heat, smoke, and gas – as well as at-times punishing outdoor conditions. However, your chimney’s masonry may become damaged or deteriorate over time. When this happens, repairs are often necessary to get your fireplace back to burning safely and efficiently.

Chimney’s masonry is most often damaged by overexposure to the elements. Fluctuating temperatures, high winds, rain, snow, and ice can all cause damage to the masonry of the chimney. Moisture is particularly damaging due to the freeze thaw cycle.

Since bricks and mortar are naturally porous, small amounts of water from rain, snow, ice, and even hoses and sprinklers can be absorbed by the masonry. When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands; this creates progressively larger and larger cracks and holes. This type of damage from the freeze thaw cycle can create significant masonry damage in as little as one season.

Why have your repairs done now?

While you may not have used your fireplace for the first time yet this season, it may be the perfect time to have your masonry repairs completed. The following are three reasons to have your chimney’s masonry repaired now instead of waiting for the busy burning season to begin.

1. Fewer delays.
   Many masonry repairs cannot be completed in poor weather conditions; if it is too cold or too wet – as is often the case during winter weather – the repairs will just have to wait. This negatively impacts your chimney as waiting on repairs can cause existing damage to continue to deteriorate and get worse.
2. Less wait time.
   Fall and winter are traditionally the busiest seasons for chimney sweeps. Since homeowners all over mid-Michigan are using their fireplaces, wait times for appointments can stretch or convenient times may be taken. Scheduling repairs early ensure you find a time that works for your schedule – and doesn’t impact the condition of your chimney further.
3. No impact on fireplace usage.
   Waiting for masonry damage to be repaired may prevent you from using your fireplace. While this is merely a minor inconvenience in late summer and early fall, it can literally leave you and your family out in the cold once winter weather hits. Having repairs done now ensures your fireplace is safe and ready to use when the first cold snap arrives.

Fall is almost here and winter weather is just around the corner. This year, make sure your chimney is prepared for the change in weather by having your masonry repairs done now! To schedule your masonry repair appointment, contact the experts at Clean Sweeps of Michigan today.