For Professional Chimney Sweeping Near Madison, Trust Hansen & Sons
Chimney sweeping is one of the most important services you can (and should) schedule for your hearth appliance. No matter what fuel you burn or which specific appliance you utilize – a traditional fireplace, an insert, or even a stove – having your entire system swept out by a professional every year will ensure it serves you and your family for years to come.
You’re In The Right Place
If you are a homeowner in the greater Madison, WI area searching for professional chimney cleaning and other repair and maintenance services, you’ve come to the right place. Serving this community and the surrounding areas for the last 71 years, Hansen & Sons Chimney & Fireplace is your local expert on all things hearth and chimney. Whether you’ve been looking for preventative maintenance like “chimney inspection in my area,” or perhaps something a bit more specific like “chimney repair Madison, WI,” our team is the one to call.
To get started and schedule your appointment, give us a call at 608-466-4185, or fill out this appointment request form right here through our website.
What’s the Difference Between Chimney Sweeping & Chimney Cleaning?
Despite this subtle difference between “sweeping” and “cleaning,” these terms both refer to the same service: removing debris, byproduct buildup, and other materials from a chimney flue. Regardless of fuel type – wood, oil, or gas – all combustion creates particulate matter that is carried on the fire’s smoke and settles within the walls of the venting system. Thus, even with timely maintenance appointments and proper operation and care, a chimney can never actually be properly cleaned.
That’s why most industry professionals refer to this important annual service as a “chimney sweep(ing)” – it’s much more accurate to what the process looks like. Using specialized tools and brushes designed to reach even the smallest nooks, crannies, twists, and turns, our chimney technicians will do their best to remove even the most stubborn creosote deposits so that you can get the most out of your appliance and enjoy a worry-free fireside experience.
Why Do I Need My Chimney Cleaned?
There are several reasons why it’s important to maintain a clean chimney:
1. It ensures that your appliance operates in its best condition.
A well-functioning chimney system is one that is properly cared for. When you stay on top of those preventative maintenance tasks like sweepings and chimney inspections, you can trust that your chimney is functioning as safely, efficiently, and effectively as possible.
2. You keep your family – and home – protected against chimney hazards.
Not only is a dirty chimney ineffective in properly releasing exhaust, it’s also incredibly hazardous. Since chimneys are designed to safely and effectively release all the toxic fumes and harsh gasses produced in a fire, if your flue has anything blocking the exhaust’s exit path, all that smoke – and the dangerous materials it contains – will turn around and enter your living room instead.
3. You verify that your system is animal-free.
Along with a risk for fire, creosote deposits and other material buildup inside of your flue can cause carbon monoxide exposure. Any blockages in the exhaust’s exit path make it that much harder for the appliance to vent effectively, which means they draft back into your living room instead.
Request Service
Regardless of factors like usage habits, fuel types, and specific appliance models, scheduling an annual chimney sweep should be a priority following every burning season. Set yourself up for success and create a followable maintenance schedule by speaking with our techs. Reach us by phone at 608-466-4185 or fill out this appointment request form through our website.
How Often Should a Chimney Be Swept?
According to industry experts like the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), homeowners should schedule a professional chimney sweeping at least once a year. However, depending on the specific appliance you use and the fuel you burn – as well as how frequently you use it – you might need a bit more than the standard once a year.
The biggest concern here is the amount of flammable creosote buildup. Since it’s created naturally during combustion, its presence is inevitable. But, when your flue and firebox are coated with a dark layer of soot nearing ⅛-¼ inches in thickness, you should book a cleaning appointment – even if it’s only been several months since your last one. Proactive safety is always better than reactive solutions. Give Hansen & Sons a call to schedule a chimney cleaning for your Madison home, today. Get in touch by calling 608-466-4185 or get started by filling out our contact form online.
When Should I Schedule My Annual Chimney Sweep?
Ideally, you should plan to have your chimney swept out sometime during the spring or summer. While it’s important to find a time of year that fits your lifestyle needs and schedule, planning to get this service taken care of in between burning seasons ensures two things: you reset your system by clearing it of creosote and other debris before it’s time to use it again, and you’re guaranteed a spot in our books. Plus, we offer discounts to customers who book their preventative maintenance services like chimney cleanings during the spring, summer, and even winter.
Since we’re a full-service chimney provider, our busy season usually starts to ramp up when that summer midwestern breeze turns into a chill. As soon as the temperatures drop and autumn is in full swing, our techs are usually busy with chimney repairs and other time-sensitive services and it’s harder to work in maintenance-based tasks like inspections and cleanings, so we always recommend any other time of the year for preventative stuff like cleaning.
Do Chimney Sweep Logs Work?
Yes and no. Do creosote sweeping logs help reduce the amount of creosote that accumulates on the walls of your chimney? Yes, marginally. These special logs are created with specific additives and chemical compounds that latch onto creosote and work to break it down over time. Can these logs serve as a replacement for a chimney sweeping service, however? Absolutely not.
Creosote sweeping logs offer only a partial solution. When used as directed, they can minimally reduce creosote accumulation, potentially loosening flaky layers and making professional cleaning easier. But, unable to remove the thick, glazed-like stage of creosote, they are not designed to be an alternative to your annual cleaning. The only way to ensure your appliance is effectively clean and clear of all creosote deposits and any other debris is to rely on a professional.
What Are the Signs That My Chimney Needs Urgent Cleaning?
While there are a handful of signs that indicate the need for a prompt chimney sweep, a lot of the time, it’s not necessarily obvious. Because the intricacies and parts and pieces of the system that contribute to its functionality are so far out of sight and reach, it can be difficult to discern when you need a cleaning versus when it’s routine.
It’s important to keep in mind that these few things are not exhaustive; there are many ways your chimney can tell you that it’s time for a cleaning…and even more instances when you don’t know. Save yourself the trouble and the guesswork and call Hansen & Sons for high-quality professional chimney sweeping near Madison and the surrounding communities. Schedule your appointment online, by filling out our appointment request form or give us a call at 608-466-4185.
However, if you notice any of the following, you should give our experts a call to come out and take a look:
Strange odors.
Whether your living room smells of campfire or wet and musty mold, both are problematic and point to something wrong within your system.
Changes in performance.
If you suddenly start having issues sparking a flame in your firebox, keeping the fire going once it is lit, or notice some other odd behavior, there might be a blockage in your flue that’s restricting airflow.
Noticeable soot, ash, or other buildup around the firebox.
When there is enough visible dirt, dust, and/or other gunk beginning to form in and around your system, that is a good telltale sign that it’s time to book a chimney cleaning.
What Should I Expect During a Professional Chimney Sweep?
When you call Hansen & Sons for a professional chimney sweep, you can expect a job well done. Our certified techs are incredibly thorough and detail-oriented; we look over and sweep out every part and piece of your chimney and fireplace system from the very top that protrudes out of your roof to the bottom of your firebox. We snap photos as we go, too, in order to provide you with a comprehensive overview of all the areas you’re unable to see clearly.
In order to remove as much creosote, debris, and any other substances or materials that might be lingering inside your chimney, we employ the use of high speed rotary brushes. This equipment gives us an aggressive edge in fighting even the most stubborn deposits – especially when compared to the “push-pull” brushes of old. At Hansen & Sons, we do our best to not only work efficiently so you can get back to enjoying your appliance, we also aim to leave your space cleaner than when we found it.
Can Chimney Sweeping Prevent Wildlife Problems?
While the actual chimney sweeping process itself doesn’t technically prevent existing issues with wildlife, it certainly helps safeguard against future encounters.
Establishing a regular, routine service schedule for your fireplace and chimney is an excellent way to prevent wildlife from taking refuge in your system. Because we take care to clean out the structure in its entirety, we’re able to not only provide you with a clean slate, but also recommend ways you can protect your entire system – such as investing in a new, high-quality chimney cap or top-sealing damper.
We’ve seen it all over the last seven decades, so when you’re on the hunt for expert chimney care near Madison, Hansen & Sons is the one to call. Schedule your appointment over the phone by calling 608-466-4185, or reach out online.
Why Should I Hire a Professional Chimney Sweep?
The simple truth is that hiring a professional company to perform your chimney sweep is the only way to ensure your system is safe and suitable for operation. Not to mention the fact that chimneys are inherently dangerous and require a good deal of training in order to safely work on them. It’s not as simple as locating a tall ladder and some circular bristle brushes; servicing a chimney takes skill and years of experience.
A DIY chimney sweep attempt might sound enticing, but could end up causing you heaps more time, energy, and money spent in the long run. Don’t risk inflicting damage on your system (or yourself) and trust Hansen & Sons for your chimney sweeping needs.
Ready to Schedule Your Appointment & Get Started? Call Hansen & Sons Today!
When it comes to your chimney and fireplace, you want the best care available. And in the greater Madison, WI area, Hansen & Sons Chimney & Fireplace is the one to call for all things hearth and chimney.
Don’t neglect your fireplace and chimney system, give it the attention and preventative maintenance it deserves by scheduling with our dedicated chimney technicians. There are lots of results for “fireplace work” and “chimney sweep Madison, WI,” but there’s only one team to trust: Hansen & Sons.
Get started and schedule your appointment today by calling 608-466-4185, or fill out this contact form through our website.
