Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

We Love Chelsea, MI

At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, one of our favorite things about our jobs is that we get to travel throughout the great state of Michigan. While visiting our neighbors in Chelsea, Michigan, we’ve learned so much about all of the great attractions and fun things to do, and we’d like to share some of them with you. Hopefully, you’ll soon find yourself enjoying Chelsea, Michigan as much as we do!

Tour The Chelsea Milling Company In A Jiffy

Did you know that the Chelsea Milling Company has been milling and preparing “Jiffy” mixes in Chelsea since the early 1800s? To tour the factory (for free!) and see and taste a little bit of history, be sure to call ahead and make reservations. For contact information and more about the company, check out their website at www.jiffymix.com.

Art, Art, and More Art

If you’re an art lover, you may also want to check out the oil paintings, found art sculptures and photography at the ever-changing River Gallery. To read about their current exhibits, check out http://www.chelsearivergallery.com/.

In the mood for a scenic stroll? Visit the Sculpture Walk. Part of the Chelsea River Gallery, the Sculpture Walk is home to sculptures from all over the nation.

The Community That Plants Together, Grows Together

Get inspired by Chelsea’s sense of community at the grow and share Chelsea Community Garden. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at the Common Grill (www.commongrill.com), which received rave reviews in both Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines.

Shops For Every Taste

In the mood for some good shopping? Whether you like antiquing or prefer the modern, Chelsea has plenty of shopping options. Check out some of the great shops in Downtown Chelsea and get your fix.

Fun For The Whole Family

Worried about the husband? Chelsea is also home to the Pierce Lake Golf Course, an 18-hole golf course for all skill levels. And the kids won’t have time to be bored when they’re visiting Timbertown Park, a 12,000 square foot wooden play structure, or skating at the Arctic Colliseum & The Arctic Breakaway. There’s even a DJ skate on Saturday nights.

Finish off the night or weekend (or every night or weekend) with a play at the Purple Rose Theater, founded by actor Jeff Daniels. To see what’s currently on stage, check out their website at http://www.purplerosetheatre.org/.

The Early Days

Cyrus Beckwith was the first settler in Chelsea, Michigan, and moved to the area in 1830 after purchasing land from the U.S. Government the year before. When you visit, don’t forget to check out the horse barn he built, which is still standing.

We Hope You’ll Love Chelsea As Much As We Do!

Whether you’re looking for a day trip, a weekend trip, or a new place to call home, there’s plenty to do in Chelsea, Michigan. To learn more about Chelsea, check out http://www.chelseamich.com/.

A Collapsed Chimney is Risky

Did You Know a Collapsed Chimney Can Be Dangerous?

If there is any part of a chimney that has collapsed, homeowners should take immediate action. Not only should the heating system using the chimney not be used, you should also be aware of a potentially fatal hazard due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Collapsed Chimney is Dangerous – Ann Arbor MI – Clean Sweep & Air Ducts of Michigan

Part of the job of a functional chimney is to pull (through an updraft) the harmful gases out of your home. When a chimney is compromised, its ability to properly aerate the home is also compromised. Although we may see smoke that isn’t being evacuated, carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and invisible.

Carbon monoxide, as stated previously, is impossible to detect without a monitor, so you may not even know it is present. Exposure to this toxin can cause neurological damage and even be fatal if not identified. Symptoms can be difficult to pinpoint because they mimic other conditions. Symptoms include; headache, chest pain, nausea, vomiting and confusion.

Annual inspections bment y a certified sweep can alert you to any issues with your chimney, but if there has been any damage to your chimney, you should schedule an appointment right away. If there are any issues, then do not burn any firewood or gas logs until the collapsed area has been repaired. This is the only way that the people living in the home can be safe from carbon monoxide poisoning

Did you know that hundreds of Americans are killed each year by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning? It can potentially come from many places: your gas powered furnace, exhaust from your car, kerosene heaters, and wood and gas burning fireplaces. Regular maintenance of all appliances is critical. However, there is no better protection than carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your house.

In a nutshell, carbon monoxide is produced anytime a fuel, such as wood, gas, oil, or charcoal, is burned. If the appliance burns at an efficient temperature, the heat will destroy most of the gas. This is why, in the case of wood-burning appliances, you will want to avoid wet or “green” woods that still contain much of their moisture. That moisture keeps the flame from getting hot enough to burn through the CO gas.

Some of the visible signs that you may have a potentially dangerous carbon monoxide situation include:

• The presence of soot inside the chimney walls
• Loose or missing furnace pane
• Rusting or water streaking on vent/chimney
• Loose or disconnected vent/chimney connections
• Moisture inside of windows
• Loose masonry on the chimney itself

You may be asking yourself, how will I know what is going on inside my chimney? The answer is, you likely won’t be also to see it. A certified sweep knows what to look for and in some cases, will use a camera to lower down in your chimney to help identify issues before they become dangerous. If your chimney has collapsed, either because that is the way it was when you moved into the home, or because of wear and tear or a natural disaster, homeowners simply cannot put off an inspection.