Chimney, fireplace and dryer vent questions from Kankakee County
The questions Jacob answers most often on the phone and on the job, with the honest answers.
These are the questions we get most often from homeowners in Bourbonnais, Kankakee, Bradley, Manteno and the rest of our service area. Each service page has its own set of more specific questions; this page covers the ones that come up before people know which service they need.
Safety and scheduling
How do I know if my chimney is safe to use?
You do not, without an inspection. Most chimney problems, including cracked liners and creosote buildup, are invisible from the living room. If it has been more than a year since a documented inspection, or you have never had one, book a sweep and Level 1 inspection before the next fire.
What does a chimney fire look like?
Sometimes a loud roar like a freight train with flames or dense smoke from the top of the chimney. More often it is quiet: a hot chimney, puffy expanded creosote in the firebox afterward, and cracked tiles you only find with a camera. Any suspected chimney fire means no more fires until a Level 2 inspection.
Why does my house smell like a campfire in summer?
Humid air pulls the creosote smell down the flue and into the room, especially with the air conditioning creating negative pressure. A sweep removes the source; a top-sealing damper stops the downdraft.
How much wood can I burn before a sweep is due?
Roughly a cord, or 50 to 70 fires, but it depends on the wood. Wet or unseasoned wood builds creosote several times faster than dry wood. Check with a moisture meter; under 20 percent is the target.
Water and masonry
Why is there water in my fireplace after rain?
Usually a missing or damaged cap, a cracked crown, or failed flashing, in that order of likelihood. Occasionally it is condensation from a gas appliance venting into an oversized flue.
Is white staining on my chimney a problem?
The white powder is efflorescence: salts left behind when water moves through the brick and evaporates. It is a sign water is getting in, so the chimney needs the cap, crown and mortar checked.
Can I paint or seal my chimney myself?
Please do not paint it or use a film-forming sealer; both trap water inside the brick and make freeze-thaw damage worse. A breathable siloxane repellent is the right product and should go on after any masonry repair.
Appliances
Can I put a wood insert in my old fireplace?
Yes, with a full stainless liner sized to the insert. An insert without a liner is a creosote trap and a code violation.
Can I convert my wood fireplace to gas?
Usually, with a vented gas log set or a gas insert. Both need a chimney inspection first and often a liner. Vent-free logs are legal in Illinois but we recommend against them in tight modern homes.
Why is my gas fireplace glass black?
Soot means a log is out of position or the burner is dirty. It is corrected in a tune-up. A white haze is mineral deposit and cleans off.
Dryer vents
Is dryer vent cleaning really a fire issue?
Yes. Lint is highly flammable and dryer fires are one of the most common appliance fires in homes. A once-a-year cleaning and a metal transition duct remove most of the risk.
Why do you not clean air ducts too?
Because we are a chimney company. Dryer vents share the same fire risk logic as chimneys; HVAC ducts do not, and we would rather do seven things well.
Working with us
Do you give quotes over the phone?
For sweeps, inspections, tune-ups, dryer vents and most caps and crown coats, yes, from the pricing page. For masonry and relining, no, because we have to see the chimney to price it honestly.
What towns do you serve?
Everything within about 25 miles of Bourbonnais. The service area page lists them.
A few more
Do I need a chimney inspection every year even if I rarely use the fireplace?
Yes. NFPA 211 calls for an annual inspection of every chimney regardless of use, because water damage, animal nests and deterioration happen whether or not you burn.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
One to three days for most services, same day for urgent problems. Fall books up, so call early.
Can you tell me the age or type of my chimney over the phone?
We can make an educated guess from the year the house was built and a photo, but the inspection is what tells us for sure.
Is a chimney sweep the same as a chimney cleaning?
Yes. Sweep, cleaning and brushing all refer to the same service.
Do you remove animals from chimneys?
We clear nests and debris once the animals have left and cap the flue so it does not recur. Live animal removal is a wildlife control job, and nesting chimney swifts are protected until they fledge.
Will you work on a chimney another company said needs replacing?
Yes. A second opinion with a camera and photos is common, and sometimes the answer is that the first company was right. Either way you will see the evidence.
Do you provide documentation for insurance or a home sale?
Yes. Our inspection reports are written with photos so an adjuster, buyer or seller can follow them.
Can I be present during the inspection?
We prefer it. Seeing the camera feed yourself is the best way to understand what your chimney needs.
Ask us the one that is not here
Call and you will talk to a person who can put you on the schedule today.
Call (815) 449-4264