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We Love Serving Our Neighbors in Northern Indiana

Winters in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana can be brutal; for many families, sitting in front of a roaring fire is a way to stay warm, spend time together, and creating lasting memories. Atservice map graphic Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we are proud to service the chimneys and fireplaces of our friends and neighbors, including Northern Indiana!

About us

Founded in Clarklake in 1980, Clean Sweeps of Michigan was started by a local fireman before being sold to long-time employee and current owner Cliff Slagle. We are proud to provide high quality chimney and dryer vent services to our friends, family, and neighbors throughout Mid-Michigan, Northern Indiana, and Northern Ohio. Along the way, we have built an award-winning chimney service company with top reviews on Google and Angie’s List.

As part of our commitment to quality, our team is dedicated to keeping chimneys and dryer vents as clean and safe as possible. Our team of chimney sweeps are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA; our sweeps are also members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and members of a variety of other professional guilds and organizations.

Our services

Clean Sweeps of Michigan offers a full range of chimney and fireplace services. From regular maintenance to extensive repairs, our team of chimney technicians can care for every part of your fireplace system. Some of our chimney services include:

  • Chimney sweepings and inspections. Chimney sweeping is an important part of regular chimney maintenance. A chimney sweeping removes soot, ash, and creosote from the flue; this allows the fireplace to burn safely and efficiently. During a chimney inspection, accessible portions of the interior and exterior of the flue are checked for signs of damage or deterioration.
  • Chimney rebuilding and restoration. Whether your chimney is in need of minor repairs or a major rebuild, our master masons can restore your fireplace and chimney to its former glory.
  • New chimney construction. Want to add a chimney to your home or business? Our masons can help make your dreams a reality and create a chimney system that will last for years to come!

We service dryer vents, too!

We aren’t just a chimney company – we service dryer vents, too! Having dryer vents professionally cleaned can help dryers operate more efficiently while also significantly reducing the risk of dryer vent fire.

During regular use, the same lint that accumulates in the lint trap begins to accumulate in the dryer vent. Over time, this lint can create blockages that forces the dryer to work harder, eventually creating super-heated air that can ignite the highly flammable lint. Likewise, these blockages can cause clothes to not dry completely, be left with a musty odor, or take longer than one cycle to dry.

Why choose a local company

When looking for a chimney sweep, hiring locally matters. There are often a number of “drive-through” chimney sweeps that come in and out of an area during the fall and winter. However, these chimney sweeps are usually not familiar with the area, the weather, and the unique characteristics of fireplaces or chimneys in the region.

Likewise, when you support a local company you are directly supporting the community! We live and raise our families in the same areas we work; our team of trained chimney technicians are dedicated to providing our neighbors with high quality fireplace services year-round.

At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we are proud to be involved in the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with a variety of local organizations and associations including Jackson Christian School, Jackson Area Rec Baseball Sponsors, Jackson Area Chamber Of Commerce, Brooklyn – Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce, Washtenaw County BRAGG Ann Arbor.

Our name says Michigan, but we serve Northern Indiana, too!

While our company name may be Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we are proud to service customers in Northern Indiana as well! Several years ago, we noticed that our neighbors in Northern Indiana were severely underserved by fireplace and chimney professionals.

Because many homes in the area use wood stoves, we are happy to dedicate trucks and technicians specifically to this part of the state. We now offer daily appointments for chimney and dryer vent services throughout Northern Indiana which leaves us wondering – what took us so long?

The following is the list of counties and cities we currently serve in Northern Indiana.

  • Allen County: Anthony Wayne Village, Avalon, Cedarville, Eastland Gardens, Fairfax, Fort Wayne, Grabill, Harlan, Hillcrest, Hoagland, Huntertown, Indian Village, lake Shores, Leo, Leo-Cedarville, Lincolnshire, Monroeville, New Haven, North Highland, Northcrest, Tanglewood, Waynedale, Westchester, Woodburn
  • Dekalb County: Alton, Ashley, Auburn, Butler, Corunna, Garrett, Saint Joe, Waterloo
  • Elkhart County: Bristol, Dunlap, East Lake Estates, Elkhart, Goshen, Greenleaf Manor, Middlebury, Millersburg, Nappanee, New Paris, Simonton Lake, Wakarusa
  • Kosciusko County: Burket, Claypool, Etan Green, Leesburg, Mentone, Milford, North Webster, Pierceton, Sidney, Silver Lake, Syracuse, Warsaw, Winona Lake
  • Lagrange County: Howe, Lagrange, Shipshewana, Topeka
  • Noble County: Albion, Avilla, Cromwell, Kendallville, Kimmell, Ligonier, Rome City, Wolcottville
  • Steuben County: Angola, Clear Lake, Fremont, Hamilton, Hudson, Orland
  • Whitley County: Churubusco, Columbia City, Larwill, south Whitley, Tri-Lakes

Contact us today to schedule your next fireplace or chimney services!

We are proud to serve our friends and neighbors in Northern Indiana. For more information about our service area or to schedule your next fireplace or chimney services, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

Gas Vs Wood Vs Electric

Wood, gas, or electric? This is one of the most hotly debated questions in the fireplace world – with very strong opinions on allgas wood electric sides!

One of the most commonly asked questions we get from homeowners is, “What is the best fuel source?” The truth of the matter is that there is no one right answer; the best fuel source for your home depends on a number factors including the size of your home, how often the fireplace will be used, how much maintenance you want to do, the amount of heat that is needed, and more.

There are pros and cons for wood, gas, and electric fireplaces. The following information covers a variety of topics that can help homeowners make a more informed choice when selecting a fuel source for their fireplace.

Operation costs and sustainability

  • Gas: Although it is clean-burning with little smoke and other byproducts of combustion, gas is still a non-renewable resource. Operating a gas fireplace costs an average of seventeen cents per hour in utilities; keep in mind that because the pilot lit is constantly lit, a gas fireplace is always using small amounts of gas 24/7/365.
  • Wood: Firewood is a renewable resource that can be purchased everywhere from grocery stores to big box and hardware stores. However, the greatest discounts can be found by buying wood in bulk from a firewood dealer. While cost varies by time of year, place where you are buying wood, and type of wood being bought, homeowners can expect to pay an average of $100-$200 for a cord of wood. Looking to save even more? Start cutting and seasoning your own firewood.
  • Electric: Electric fireplaces are similar to gas fireplaces in terms of cost to operate. Homeowners can expect to pay about 3 cents per hour when the fireplace is turned on for decoration only and not producing heat; when being used as a heating source, electric fireplaces cost an average of 9 cents per hour in electricity.

Maintenance costs

  • Gas: Like any fuel-burning appliance, gas fireplaces need an annual service check in order to ensure they continue to burn safely and efficiently. This includes a chimney inspection to check for signs of damage, deterioration, or acidic corrosion to the flue, as well checking gas lines for any signs of leaks.
  • Wood: Wood fireplace need annual chimney sweepings and inspections to remove soot, ash, and highly flammable creosote that may have built up in the flue. During a chimney sweeping and inspection, the chimney sweep will check all accessible areas of fireplace and chimney for signs of damage such as cracks in the masonry or signs of a chimney leak.
  • Electric: Because no ventilation or gas lines are needed to operate an electric fireplace, very little maintenance is needed. Homeowners can perform maintenance to their electric fireplaces by checking electrical components for signs of wear or damage, cleaning heating elements, and dusting the interior and exterior of the fireplace.

Ease of use

  • Gas: Gas provides heat at the push of a button; there is no need to go outside in the cold to get more logs for the fire or shovel out ashes when the fire is done burning. Because the heat can be turned on and off instantly – and a burning temperature can be set – gas fireplaces can be enjoyed even in warm weather.
  • Wood: There is nothing quite like sitting in front of a crackling wood fire. However, that fire also requires storing lots of firewood on hand and creating time to start, stoke, maintain, and put out the fire.
  • Electric: Electric fireplaces are similar to gas in that they can provide heat at the push of a button. However, because they rely on electricity to operate they are of no use when the power goes out; this makes them less than ideal for areas that experience serious winter storms.

Safety

  • Gas: Because gas fireplaces do not have open flames, there is little chance of getting burned – or having stray sparks start an accidental fire. The main risk, however, comes from damage to the gas lines or venting system; this can cause dangerous gas leaks in the home or release carbon monoxide into the home. Regular upkeep and maintenance can prevent this from occurring.
  • Wood: The most common safety concerns with wood burning fireplaces are burns and accidental fires. Pets and small children in particular are at risk of accidental burns; the use of fireplace doors, screens, and gates can help reduce this risk. Accidental fires can be prevented by keeping furnishings, décor, and rugs at least three feet away from the fireplace while in use, as well as having the chimney swept each year.
  • Electric: Because electric fireplaces have no real flames – and come with cool-touch glass – there is little risk for burns occurring. Likewise, most models come with automatic shut-off features that prevent the fireplace from overheating. Like any appliance, however, there is a small risk from the electrical system shorting out.

Ultimately, there is no right answer to “Which fuel source is right for me?” By taking these factors into consideration, homeowners can help decide whether a gas, wood, or electric fireplace is right for their home. for more information on installing a new fireplace system, contact the experts at Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

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