Chimney sweep and cleaning in Madison Heights

Fireplaces in the ranches

Madison Heights incorporated in January 1955, while the building boom was still going, and most of its houses are brick ranches from those years. Many have no fireplace at all. The ones that do usually have a brick fireplace in the living room, and its flue runs up the same chimney as the furnace and water heater flue, side by side, like the two flues in the photo. A few have had a wood insert put in. Others now burn gas logs.

On a sweep, we brush the fireplace flue from top to bottom and check the furnace flue next to it. Gas exhaust doesn't leave creosote, but a nest or fallen tile in that flue is something you want to know about. Drop cloths go down around the hearth first, and we clean up before we leave. One flue takes about two hours with the inspection.

What builds up

Wood fires leave soot and creosote on the flue walls. Seasoned hardwood burned hot leaves a light, dry layer. Damp wood and fires that smolder for hours leave a heavier, sticky coat that's harder to get off. Our guide on how often to clean a chimney explains how to tell when yours is due.

Leaves, twigs and nests come in from the top. Seventy years after the ranches went in, many of the trees on the streets from John R over to Dequindre stand well above the rooflines, and an uncapped flue under them collects whatever falls. A mesh cap like the black one in the photo keeps that out. Chimney swifts nest in chimneys from about May to August and are federally protected, so a flue with an active nest waits until fall. Our guide to chimney swifts explains what to do.

When to book

Call in September or early October, before the first cold weekend, when everyone wants a fire the same night. The sweep is $349 for one flue and includes an inspection on the same visit. A camera through the flue is $75 more. If we find a cracked crown or flaking brick at the top, you'll get photos and a written price for chimney repair in Madison Heights before any work is done.