Natures Way

Each year families in northern Michigan lose their homes to defective and dirty chimneys. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you have a dirty chimney! When solid fuels such as coal and wood are burned in a furnace, stove, or fireplace they—as we all know—give off welcome amounts of heat. However—as many of us do not know—those same two solid fuels also give off unwelcome amounts of three by-products: soot, creosote and carbon monoxide gas. Unless a chimney is cleaned regularly, that highly flammable soot and creosote will accumulate in the flue where it hangs—like some fiendish fire bomb—just waiting for a chance spark to ignite it. Carbon monoxide gas is an odorless and tasteless silent killer that takes its victims through asphyxiation (often in their sleep).

While we may have forgotten the value of a clean chimney, our great-grandpa and great-grandma certainly knew the value of keeping their chimneys clean. No doubt they have seen neighbors and/or relatives burned out of house and home on a frigid winter's night because of an inadequately kept chimney.

Chimney cleaning – or sweeping as it's more properly known – is a matter of physically brushing the inside of the chimney to dislodge the built-up material. How often you do this depends in large part on your burning habits: If you habitually damp the fire down and deprive it of oxygen so that it will burn longer, the result is a lot more smoke that contains a far greater amount of partially burnt solids. These solids will build up rapidly, so the chimney will probably require cleaning at least every year.

Chimney cleaning can be physically tiring and even dangerous – tall chimneys, long ladders, steep roofs and icy fall and winter conditions can make for a hazardous combination. If your chimney needs cleaning consider hiring it out to a licensed, bonded and insured, chimney sweep. Chimney sweeping is an honored profession that goes back centuries – in fact, legends suggest that chimney sweeps bring good luck.

Inspection / Estimate — an on site estimate/proposal is required to determine services required. *

$69.00

Sweep chimney flue (gas/oil fireplace, stove, or furnace)

	Each additional floor above the main level (extra fee)	$25.00
	Each additional flue in the same chimney	discount 50%

$175.00

Sweep chimney flue (wood/corn/coal fireplace, stove, or furnace)

	Each additional floor above the main level (extra fee)	$25.00
	Each additional flue in the same chimney	discount 50%

$195.00

Sweep chimney flue (fireplace insert)

	Each additional floor above the main level (extra fee)	$25.00
	Each additional flue in the same chimney	discount 50%

$225.00

Roto-Cleaning to remove old glazed, baked on creosote that won't come off by regular brushing methods. (two hour minimum fee)

p/hr $150.00

Forensic Investigations: Includes investigation, interior viewing with state-of-the-art chimney video documentation equipment, digital photos, and a detailed written report. May require removal of walls, masonry, fireplaces, or other building materials in order to view the interior chase and clearance to combustibles. If applicable, reference to the NFPA 211 Standards or local codes will be noted. Photos may be e-mailed if desired. Expert witness in litigation. (Client pays all expenses i.e. lodging, meal, travel expenses, etc. A four hour minimum retainer fee is required)

p/hr $150.00

Carbon Monoxide Testing (Test each appliance—gas furnaces, hot water heaters, boilers, ranges, gas fireplaces) (two hour minimum)

p/hr $150.00

Vehicle transportation surcharge

p/mi $1.00

Chimney Construction /Repairs - Masonry or Stainless Steel

Contracted

Attend Your Wedding - Our chimney sweep arrives in traditional top hat and tuxedo tails. Many chimney sweeps today are still invited to weddings to help assure a good start to a happy marriage. The appearance of a chimney sweep to shake the hands of the newly wed, or give the bride the "kiss of luck" after the wedding ceremony is a long-held tradition that is believed to bring the newly married couple good luck and good fortune.

$150.00

* Inspection & Estimate Fees paid are rebated to you on the final invoice, after all services have been completed and billed. NOTE: We will not clean defective chimneys. Will will help to bring your chimney up to the appropriate safety codes.