With Bloomington’s first crisp nights arriving, now’s the time to inspect your chimney before firing up the fireplace. Older brick homes here often hide creosote buildup or cracked liners, problems that turn cozy evenings into fire hazards. We’re seeing more calls this month from Richfield and Edina homeowners who skipped their sweep last spring. Don’t wait until your damper sticks or smoke backs into your living room. Book a chimney sweep now to avoid the rush, and get a free estimate before the season peaks.
Myth: ‘My chimney looks fine, no need to sweep’
Bloomington’s older brick homes, especially those near Lake Phalen, hide dangers behind that familiar masonry. A visual inspection won’t catch creosote layers or deteriorating liners, both common in homes built before the 1980s. Last week, we found a cracked flue in a Southdale home that could’ve caused a chimney fire by Thanksgiving. If your fireplace smokes more than usual or smells like gas, that’s your cue. Our services include video inspections to spot these issues before they become emergencies. For Richfield homeowners, we’ve seen creosote buildup as thick as a quarter in just one season, don’t assume yours is safe. Contact us for a licensed sweep before your first fire. Take a look at everything we handle.
Fact: ‘This is the only time of year to check your damper’
Most Bloomington homeowners wait until their chimney sweep to notice their damper isn’t sealing properly, a classic sign of rust or warped metal in older homes. A stuck damper lets cold air in or smoke out, wasting heat and creating drafts that make your fireplace less efficient. We’ve fixed dampers in Golden Valley and Crystal homes where the homeowner swore it ‘always worked’, until the first cold snap. If yours creaks or doesn’t close fully, that’s a repair we can handle during your sweep. See our pricing for combined inspections and repairs, or check out this guide on creosote removal if you’ve noticed black residue on your glass doors. Pro tip: Test your damper now by lighting a match near the fireplace, if the flame flickers, it’s not sealing. Worth a look: reach us for a written quote.