At Jack Pixley Sweeps , we pride ourselves on not just providing our customers with excellent fireplace and chimney services, but also helping to educate homeowners about their heating appliances. However, many of our customers often have the same questions!
Below are some of the most common chimney questions we are asked, as well as their answers and solutions.
“How often do I really need to have my chimney swept?”
According to the National Fire Protection Association , fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected annually. This recommendation is a general guideline for most homes and fireplaces that is designed to keep your fireplace system in safe working condition. However, if you use a heating appliance such as a wood burning stove as your home’s primary heat source, your chimney may need to be swept more than once per year!
“What is creosote?”
Creosote is a tarry black substance that is a naturally occurring byproduct of fuel burning fires – as well as the root cause of many chimney problems. Excessive creosote buildup is the primary cause of chimney fire. Likewise, creosote can also create chimney odors or cause the flue liner to deteriorate.
“How does a chimney sweep clean a chimney?”
Chimney sweeps certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America are highly trained professionals who follow specific guidelines and procedures designed to leave you with a clean – and safe – fireplace system. Using specialized tools including brushes and vacuums, the chimney system is cleaned and inspected from the top of the flue to the bottom of the firebox. Likewise, our chimney sweeps take care to ensure that your home does not get messy or dirty during the cleaning by using tarps and drop cloths to cover interior furnishings and floors.
“Do I need to worry about carbon monoxide?”
Carbon monoxide is created in all fuel burning fires, including gas, wood, kerosene, propane, and even charcoal. This colorless, odorless gas is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” because it is nearly impossible to identify without special carbon monoxide detectors. While the risk of a well maintained fireplace system having a carbon monoxide leak is relatively low, it is important that all homes are equipped with carbon monoxide detectors and that the alarms are tested regularly.
“Can anything be done about my smelly chimney?”
Chimney odor can be a major nuisance, affecting the air quality in your home particularly in the spring and summer months. However, a smelly chimney is often an indicator of a bigger chimney problem. A chimney inspection can be used to identify the root cause of the chimney odor, repair it, and create a plan to prevent it from coming back.
“How long have you been in business?”
Jack Pixley Sweeps has been in business since 1977. Located in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, we are a local company dedicated to providing our friends and neighbors quality chimney and fireplace services. For more information on what we can do for your chimney, contact us today!
We’re proud to serve the city of Minneapolis
For nearly 40 years, Jack Pixley Sweeps, Inc., has served the greater Minneapolis area. From installation to cleaning and inspection to rebuilding, our certified technicians can meet all of your fireplace and chimney needs.
Chimney sweeping and inspection
We at Jack Pixley Sweeps go above and beyond national guidelines in our chimney sweeping and inspection service.
During your cleaning our CSIA-certified sweeps will insert a rotating brush up your flue. As it travels up your chimney, it will expand to remove all of the creosote and soot that has built up in your fireplace. Following your cleaning, your chimney sweep will go beyond the visual, “level 1” inspection recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute. Our sweeps will insert a closed-circuit camera up your flue so they can visually inspect to your chimney to make sure there is no crumbling mortar, cracked tiles, or damage from an unobserved chimney fire.
Chimney and firebox repairs
We can repair leaking chimneys, diagnose and correct chimney draft problems, or repair a damaged firebox. Our skilled technicians can go so far as to rebuild your chimney or firebox, if needed.
Fireplace inserts
If you’re looking to upgrade your fireplace, Jack Pixley Sweeps can help. If you prefer a traditional fireplace but would like to return more heat to your home, we offer open-hearth Ahrens Fireplace Systems. Or, if you’d like to upgrade to a closed insert, we offer Regency gas and wood-burning inserts.
Fireplace reconstruction
If you’d like to change the look of your hearth, either to update, make it better suited to your taste, or have it made to fit your new fireplace insert, Jack Pixley Sweeps is the company to call. We specialize in rebuilding fireplace fronts to meet the aesthetic and practical needs of our customers.
Chimney relining
Many chimneys have been constructed with the wrong size chimney tiles, which can lead to drafting problems and smoke flowing back into a home rather than out of the flue. Jack Pixley offers stainless steel chimney liners, which can solve your drafting problems, or replace any older, cracked tiles.
Dryer vent cleaning
Clogged dryer vents are a leading cause of home fires, and Jack Pixley Sweeps provides the best dryer vent cleaning in the area. We hook up a vacuum to your dryer vent to ensure that lint doesn’t litter your yard, and then we remove lint with a rotary system. We’ll also make sure your vent utilizes a safe aluminum lining.
Animal removal
Raccoons and some birds love to nest in your chimney, while other animals, such as ducks or squirrels, can make their way into your chimney and become stuck. An animal nest can be a chimney fire hazard, and a trapped animal is obviously in danger. Our technicians can safely remove any animal you hear trapped or making a home in your chimney. We also can install stainless steel screen and chimney cover to prevent animals from getting into your chimney.
Gutter cleaning
Your gutters should be cleaned each spring and fall to prevent leaks or water damage to your home. Jack Pixley Sweeps is happy to provide gutter-cleaning service!
Scaffolding setup.
Chimney repairs can take extensive scaffolding setup. We set up our own scaffolding, saving you from hiring a scaffolding company.
If you have any questions about the services we provide and live in and around Minneapolis, please contact us or give us a call! We’re locally owned and happy to help!
The mark of a CSIA certified chimney technician
As winter weather approaches, now if the time of year when many homeowners having their chimneys swept and cleaned. However, it is important to be wary of who is cleaning your chimney. Instead of going with the cheapest company or hiring someone who simply comes to the door, homeowners should find a CSIA certified chimney sweep.
A certified chimney sweep can do more than just clean your chimney; these highly trained professionals can make sure your fireplace system is in good condition and is safe to use all season long. This year, trust a CSIA certified technician with your chimney and fireplace cleaning!
What is CSIA certification?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to chimney and fireplace safety, education, and certifications. The CSIA is widely considered the most prestigious professional organization in the chimney industry, and chimney sweeps with a CSIA certification have had to undergo years of rigorous education and testing.
Because there are so few standards and controls on who can call themselves a chimney sweep, it is important to work with a technician who has professional certifications like those offered by the CSIA. Certified chimney sweeps have a broad knowledge of chimney topics and issues such as:
– Recommended safety techniques and practices
– Current local and national building codes
– Fireplace dynamics and construction
– Fireplace, stove, and insert installation
– EPA emissions requirements for heating appliances
CSIA certifications are not for life; chimney sweeps must retest every three years in order to maintain their certifications. Doing this ensures that CSIA certified chimney sweeps are up to date on the latest advancements in the fireplace industry.
Finding the right chimney sweep
Choosing a chimney sweep is sometimes as simple as opening up the phonebook or doing a quick search on Google. However, before deciding who to trust with your chimney and fireplace cleaning it is important to learn about their certifications along with other information about their business. In addition to having a Certified Professionals Locator, the CSIA also recommends asking questions similar to these before hiring a chimney sweep.
– How long has the company been in business?
– Can the company provide current references?
– Does the company have unresolved complaints with city or state consumer protection agencies or the Better Business Bureau?
– Does the company carry a business liability insurance policy to protect your home and furnishings against accidents?
– Will a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep be on the job site?
Working with a CSIA certified chimney sweep means that you are working with a highly trained professional, not just some guy with a truck. If you’re in the Minneapolis area, trust Jack Pixley Sweeps to take care of your chimney and fireplace cleaning needs. Contact us today to schedule your next chimney appointment!
Spring is a great time to get your chimney swept- call Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
When warm spring weather finally arrives, many homeowners are content to stop using – and thinking – about their fireplaces until they need them again in the fall. However, instead of letting them wait until then to be serviced, homeowners should have their chimneys cleaned in the springtime.
After using your fireplace all winter, have it cleaned in the spring. Having your chimney swept now means that it will be ready for use again as soon as the fall’s first cold snap hits, and is one less maintenance item to worry about this year.
Winter water damage to your chimney
The combination of cold temperatures and moisture such as freezing rain and snow can have a negative impact on your chimney system. The most common cause of chimney damage in the winter is caused by the freeze thaw process. When this occurs, water in the bricks freezes and expands, creating larger and larger cracks and holes that may eventually cause the bricks to crack and fall away.
Chimney systems can be damaged by any amount of water entry, not just in the winter. Chimney leaks from damaged flashing, chimney caps, or chimney crowns can damage the masonry and interior portions of your fireplace and chimney and should be repaired as soon as possible.
The importance of yearly chimney cleanings
The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that homeowners have their chimneys swept at least once per year. National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 also states that, “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.”
Chimney cleanings are a great way to guarantee the health and safety of your family. In addition to removing creosote and other chimney blockages, chimney sweeps will also check for any damage that may impact the safety or efficiency of your fireplace. Even homeowners with gas appliances should consider having an annual inspection to ensure their appliances are venting properly and the chimneys have not been damaged.
Having your chimney cleaned and inspected each year allows any emerging problems to be found and repaired before they turn in to major – and costly – issues. Likewise, annual chimney cleanings are an excellent time to have other kids of preventative maintenance – such as waterproofing – done to your chimney.
Why spring is a great time for chimney maintenance
Chimneys are used the most during the months of fall and winter. Because of this, by the time spring rolls around they often have large amounts of creosote, soot, ash, or other debris in the chimney structure. Cleaning your chimney directly following its period of heaviest use makes the creosote or other chimney blockages easier to remove.
In addition, spring is the best time of year to have masonry or other major repairs completed on your chimney. The mild temperatures and weather allow work to be completed in a timelier manner as there are far fewer weather related delays.
Make getting your chimney swept and inspected a regular part of your spring cleaning maintenance routine. Contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today to schedule your chimney sweep appointment!
Spring is the perfect time to get your chimney’s brickwork repaired!
Winter can be a particularly rough time of year for fireplace systems. In addition to heavy use, chimneys are also faced with exposure to the harsh winter elements, including frigid temperatures, ice, snow, and freezing rain. Because of this, many homeowners find that their masonry fireplaces and chimneys are in need of repair when spring finally arrives.
Spring is the perfect time of year to have masonry repair work done. The mild temperatures and conditions allow work to be quickly completed with a minimum of weather-related delays. Likewise, because most homeowners do not use their fireplaces in the spring, our appointments for spring masonry repairs are often quickly filled.
Water damage and your masonry chimney
Chimneys are built strong to withstand the force of the elements. However, even the best built chimneys have one major enemy: water.
Water damage can quickly damage any masonry structure, sometimes in as little as one season. Although bricks are designed to be naturally porous, too much water can overwhelm them. When water is absorbed by the bricks during the winter, it freezes and expands. When the water melts, it leaves behind bigger cracks and holes, allowing even more water to enter the bricks. This freeze thaw process can lead to bricks cracking and even falling away from the chimney structure if left unrepaired.
Water can also find its way into your fireplace and chimney system through defective chimney caps, damaged or improperly installed flashing, or due to a number of other possible causes. Because it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of water entry and damage, it is recommended to have your entire chimney system professionally evaluated if a leak is apparent.
Why is chimney maintenance important?
While a few small cracks in the brick may not seem like a major issue, if left unrepaired it can quickly turn into one. Unrepaired chimney damage will only continue to get worse, jeopardizing the health and safety of you and your family. Even no longer using the fireplace is a good option; even if you aren’t using your damaged fireplace, the masonry will still continue to decay.
In order to identify and repair masonry damage as soon as possible, it is recommended that homeowners have a chimney inspection performed each year. “A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”
Our masonry services
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we can do much more than just clean your chimney. We offer a wide range of masonry services for our customers. Since 1977 we have proudly been providing high quality masonry services to our friends and neighbors in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis area.
Unlike a general contractor, our skilled masons are knowledgeable about the codes, clearances, and other safety standards associated with rebuilding and repairing masonry chimneys. In addition, by choosing a chimney company to make the repairs you can rest assured that our masonry work will be not only aesthetically beautiful, but also safe and functional.
Our spring schedule has already begun filling up with masonry repair appointments. If your chimney needs to be repaired, don’t wait any longer – contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today to schedule your spring masonry repairs!
When you have a drafty fireplace, it can seem as if the problem will never get fixed. Whether the problem is cold air rushing in, smoke blowing back into the house, or the wind causing whistling or rattling noises, draft issues can make homeowners not want to use their fireplaces. Although it can sometimes be difficult to identify the cause of a drafty fireplace, fixing the root cause of the problem will allow families to enjoy their fireplaces for years to come.
Below are five of the most common causes for chimney draft problems.
1. Air tight house
If your house seems to get colder or the furnace continues to run even while you have a roaring fire, you may have an issue air pressure and venting. A fire will draw in air in order to have the necessary oxygen to keep burning. If there is not proper venting in the house, warm air from inside the home will wind up being drawn up and out through the chimney.
To combat this issue, crack open the window closest to the fireplace. Doing this allows the fire to draw in cold outside air inside of using warm air from inside the home. It will also prevent any backdrafts from the chimney into the house which may occur if there are no open windows or doors.
2. Flue sizing
Having a flue that is either too small or too large may cause smoke to backdraft into the house. Traditionally, fireplaces follow the 10 to 1 rule, which means that for every 10 square inches of the fireplace opening there needs to be 1 square inch of flue. The ratio for this rule effects how quickly air moves into the fireplace opening. In order for the air to travel up the chimney fast enough, the 10 to 1 rule should be followed. If not, smoke may escape from the fireplace and into the room.
3. Chimney height
Taller chimneys are known to draw in air better than shorter chimneys. As the warm air within the chimney rises, taller chimneys filled with more hot air will produce a stronger draft. Because of this fact, homeowners may be able to solve their drafting issues by adding several feet of height to their chimneys.
4. Chimney or flue blockages
Birds nests, lost Frisbees, stray leaves, or fallen shingles can all block the entrance to a flue. Likewise, branches, leaves, or animal nesting materials inside the chimney can create blockages. If this happens, smoke may become trapped in the chimney or flue, backing up into the room. Having your chimney professionally swept can ensure that there are no blockages creating drafting problems.
5. Seasoned firewood
If your fire is creating excessive amounts of smoke, your fuel source may be to blame. Firewood that has not been seasoned will have a much higher moisture content. As it burns, the water in the firewood creates large amounts of smoke. Buying firewood that has been seasoned for at least six months will greatly reduce the amount of smoke produced.
If your fireplace is having drafting issues, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today. Our fireplace experts can perform a smoke test to help diagnose and identify the source of the drafting issue and protect the health and safety of you and your family.
