Winters in Verona, Wisconsin, can be quite cold with significant snowfall. The cold season lasts about three months, usually from December through March. However, realistically, snow can fall from October through April, and sometimes into May. You can imagine the benefit of a well-running fireplace, adding extra warmth to your home.
The go-to chimney maintenance service company in Verona, WI, is Chimney Specialists Inc., located in the tri-state area: northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois, and southwest Wisconsin. With nearly 50 years of service to the community, we have a proven record of quality and professional service.
We service surrounding towns as well. If you are in the vicinity of Madison, Middleton, and Cross Plains, give us a call; you won’t be disappointed.
Owning a fireplace can be quite enjoyable; however, there is some maintenance required to keep your fireplace running safely and efficiently.
Professionals such as Chimney Specialists Inc recommend an annual chimney sweep from a certified chimney sweep.
What Chimney Cleaning Involves In Verona, WI
The sweep clears creosote, soot, and debris from the flue and firebox. Creosote is what wood smoke leaves behind on the liner walls. A single season of buildup isn't usually the problem. Three or four seasons without cleaning is when the fire risk becomes real.
The sweep also clears anything that has worked into the flue from above. Birds nest in chimneys over the summer. Caps shift or fail, letting debris in. A flue that looked fine in spring can have an obstruction by October that doesn’t show up until the fireplace is running.
Chimney Specialists follows the inspection levels set by the National Fire Protection Association. A Level 1 inspection covers accessible components such as the firebox, damper, liner, cap, and crown, and typically occurs alongside the annual cleaning. A Level 2 is called for when a home sells, after a chimney fire, or when something about the system has changed. For older homes in and around Verona, a Level 2 inspection sometimes reveals issues that a standard cleaning visit wouldn’t catch.
When to Schedule A Chimney Cleaning
Fall fills up fast in the Verona area. Homeowners who wait until the first cold snap often find themselves further out on the schedule than expected. Late summer or early fall is the better window. The fireplace is out of rotation, and if anything comes out of the inspection that needs repair, there is still time to address it before the heating season starts.
Spring is another reasonable time, especially for households that ran the fireplace heavily through January and February. Getting it cleaned after the season means it isn't sitting with deposits through the summer. Most chimney professionals recommend an annual cleaning regardless of how much the fireplace was actually used that year.
Benefits Of An Annual Chimney Sweep
- Fire prevention: As you burn wood in your fireplace, creosote, a highly flammable black, tarry substance, builds up in your chimney. A professional sweeping removes this buildup, lowering the risk of a chimney fire.
- Early Detection of Issues: A chimney sweep can detect minor issues in your chimney. A professional chimney inspection should determine major damage or issues.
- Improves Efficiency: Regularly cleaning will keep your fireplace burning more efficiently and deliver better heat output and less wasted fuel.
- Extends the life of your Chimney: By taking advantage of routine maintenance, you will keep on top of any issues. Regular cleanings protect the interior lining and masonry from corrosion and damage.
- Insurance and Compliance: Check with your homeowners' insurance. Many companies will not cover damages if you have not had regular maintenance.
- Keeps Blockages at Bay: Often, small animals will find a way into your chimney and start making nests. Regular cleanings will take care of any blockages from animals, leaves, and twigs that find their way in.
What To Expect With Chimney Specialists Inc.
Like our friends in Verona, they call our team for an appointment. Once the appointment is scheduled, you can get prepared for the appointment. Here are some tips to have a successful experience:
- Leave room in your driveway so that our truck can park close to the house. This way, the technicians will be able to bring in their equipment easily.
- Clear all fragile/breakable decorations away from the fireplace and off the mantle.
