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Trust Us With Your Annual Chimney Sweeping

While sweeping out ash from the firebox or removing smudges from glass doors might make your fireplace look cleaner, professional maintenance is required in order to keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently. An annual chimney sweeping is the best way to keep your fireplace in excellent condition year after year.

The importance of yearly chimney maintenanceChimney Sweep with Ladder - Clean Sweeps of Michigan

We take time each year to schedule maintenance for our furnaces, HVAC systems, vehicles, and more. Our chimneys are no different; they need regular, annual maintenance in order to continue to operate safely and efficiently. Without regular maintenance, chimneys are at risk of performance problems, interior or exterior damage, and chimney fires.

According to National Fire Protection Association Standard 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.”

The CSIA, or Chimney Safety Institute of America also recommends that homeowners have their chimney swept and inspected by a certified chimney sweep at least once per year. Sweepings should also be done any time 1/8th of an inch of soot accumulates in the flue; this amount of buildup is typically seen after one full cord of wood has been burned. If you burn more than a cord of wood in a single season, it may be beneficial to schedule an additional mid-winter chimney sweeping.

What to expect during a chimney sweeping

To ensure the safety of your chimney technician, please stop using your fireplace or stove at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. Expect your Clean Sweeps of Michigan chimney sweep to arrive on time and act in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner in your home.

During the chimney sweeping, our CSIA certified chimney sweeps use brooms, brushes, and a variety of other tools to remove soot, ash, and creosote  from the flue. A chimney inspection may be performed at the same time as the sweeping; inspections are an important tool and can help identify signs of damage or deterioration in the fireplace or chimney.

Trust a certified chimney sweep with your chimney safety

While anyone with a brush and a truck can call themselves a chimney sweep, only a small number of professionals have completed the education and training necessary to earn certifications from the Chimney Safety Institute of America. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we are proud to employ CSIA certified chimney sweeps; this ensures our customers receive the very best in safety and service from our chimney technicians. Since 1980, we have proudly been providing fireplace and chimney services to our friends and neighbors in Mid-Michigan, Northern Indiana, and Northern Ohio.

Schedule your next appointment today!

Regular chimney maintenance by a certified chimney sweep is the best way to extend the life of your fireplace system. For more information on how to keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently or to schedule your next chimney sweeping, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

We Still Have Holiday Sales!

The holiday season may have ended, but there is still time to take advantage of deals for your fireplace and chimney! At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we offer a full range of fireplace and chimney services to help our customers care for their heating appliances and safely enjoy them for years to come!

Our ServicesWe Still Have Holiday Sales Image - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps of Michigan

Clean Sweeps of Michigan has been caring for the fireplaces and chimneys of our neighbors in mid-Michigan, northern Ohio, and northern Indiana for almost 40 years. Our years in business have given us the knowledge and experience to care for all of your heating system needs. Our services include:

  • regular annual maintenance,
  • help troubleshoot an ongoing performance problem,
  • restoration of an aging historic chimney.

While we may be best known as chimney sweeps, we can care for your dryer vents too! Dryer vent cleaning significantly reduces your risk of dryer fire as well as keeps your dryer operating efficiently. In fact, dryer vent cleaning can help eliminate some dryer performance problems such as long dry cycles or clothes with musty or damp smells!

How often should my chimney be swept?

Many homeowners believe their chimneys do not need to be swept every year, especially if they are used infrequently. However, according to National Fire Protection Association, “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.”

Annual maintenance, even with fireplaces that are rarely used, ensures:

  • there are no changes to the chimney,
  • that no unseen damage has occurred,
  • and that are no other issues that could make the fireplace unsafe to use.

Likewise, the more you use your fireplace the more it may need to be cleaned; if your home has a fireplace or stove as a primary heating source, it may need to be swept more than once per year.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends fireplaces be swept anytime there is a buildup of 1/8th of an inch of more of soot or ash in the flue. This amount of buildup typically occurs after burning one full cord of wood in normal conditions. If you burn more than a cord of wood in a single fireplace during a burning season, a mid-season chimney sweeping can lower the risk of an accidental chimney fire. It can keep your fireplace or stove burning efficiently for the rest of the winter.

Start the new year off right – schedule your annual maintenance now!

Regular chimney sweepings and inspections are an important part of keeping your fireplace system in good working condition. One of the best ways to help your fireplace burn safely and efficiently is through yearly maintenance; this helps ensure your fireplace and chimney are free from buildup, damage, or deterioration.

The holidays may be over, but our deals are still here! Take advantage of our holiday sales by scheduling your next chimney or fireplace maintenance now. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to schedule your next chimney appointment!

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