With Bloomington’s first cold snaps hitting, now’s the time to tackle your chimney before winter sets in. Skipping a sweep this fall isn’t just risky, it’s how creosote turns into a fire hazard overnight. We’re seeing more calls in November from homes that waited too long, so don’t be one of them. Here’s what to check this week before you turn up the heat.
Step 1: The Bloomington Creosote Check (Do This Before Lighting Your Fire)
If your chimney’s seen any use this year, creosote. Bloomington’s version of chimney tar, is already coating the flue. The rule here isn’t ‘annually’; it’s ‘when the flue looks black or glossy.’ Pro tip: Shine a flashlight up the chimney after a fire. If the walls glow like wet pavement, you’ve got stage 2 creosote, which needs immediate removal. Our creosote removal guide breaks down why this isn’t a DIY job, especially in older Bloomington homes with brick chimneys that trap moisture. Book a sweep now, prices hold steady through November, and we’re fully licensed to serve Bloomington and nearby areas like Burnsville and Eagan.
Step 2: Should I Sweep Before or After My First Fire This Season?
Here’s the Bloomington-specific answer: Before. Why? Because the first few fires of the season are when creosote sticks hardest to cold flue walls. We’ve had homeowners in Edina and St. Louis Park call us in December after their chimney smoked their living room, all because they waited for ‘the perfect fire’ to sweep. A pre-fire sweep costs less than a mid-winter emergency repair. Plus, if you’ve got a wood stove (common in Bloomington’s older neighborhoods), the wood stove servicing guide explains why stoves need two sweeps a year. Check our service areas to confirm we cover your zip code.
Step 3: Is It Worth Skipping the Inspection If I Already Swept?
No. A sweep cleans the flue; an inspection checks for cracks, rusted caps, or animal nests, problems we’ve found in half the Bloomington chimneys we’ve inspected this fall. For example, a home on Lyndale Avenue had a cracked flue liner that let carbon monoxide into the attic. The sweep missed it; the inspection didn’t. Our inspection guide covers what to watch for, but if your chimney’s over 20 years old (like many in Bloomington’s historic districts), skip the guesswork and bundle the inspection with your sweep. Get a free estimate, we’ll tell you straight up if your chimney’s a ticking time bomb.