Ottumwa is the Wapello County seat, southeast of Des Moines on the Des Moines River. It’s a good drive for us, so we don’t promise same-day service here. What we do offer is certified chimney and venting work from a company that’s been serving Iowa homeowners since 2002. Call ahead, and we’ll find a day that works with our route.
Make One Visit Cover It All
Since we’re traveling to you, it makes sense to look at everything at once. Here is what you can combine:
- Chimney sweeping and inspection. An annual chimney sweeping removes creosote and debris, and our technicians check the system while they’re at it.
- Dryer vent cleaning. Lint that gets past the trap packs into the vent line. Our certified dryer vent cleaning clears it and lowers the fire risk.
- Air duct cleaning. Our certified air duct cleaning removes the dust and debris that settle in your ductwork after years of heating and cooling.
When you call, let us know everything you’d like looked at so we can plan enough time. Please let the fireplace or stove sit unused for 24 hours before we arrive so it has time to cool, and clear the ash out of the firebox if you can. We bring floor protection and dust control equipment, and the job carries our mess-free guarantee.
Signs Your Chimney Needs a Visit
Some problems announce themselves. Smoke backing into the room, a smell like a wet campfire when the air is humid, white staining on the outside brick and rust on the damper all point to something that needs attention. So do noises in the flue, since birds and other animals look for open chimneys to nest in. If you’ve seen any of these, mention them when you call so we can plan for it. A rough idea of the problem helps us bring the right parts and set aside enough time, which matters on a longer trip.
Inside the Ductwork
Air duct cleaning starts with a look at your furnace and air conditioning system so we know what we’re working with and whether anything in it needs attention. Specialized brushes knock the dust and debris loose, and a HEPA vacuum hooked to the system captures it as it comes free. We also watch for holes and loose connections in the ducts, since those waste the air you paid to heat or cool. For anyone in the house with allergies or asthma, clearing out years of buildup is worth doing.
Running a Gas Fireplace?
Gas units still have venting that needs to stay clear. Vented gas logs rely on a working chimney and an open damper to carry exhaust out. If a nest blocks the flue or the damper sticks shut, that exhaust has nowhere to go but back into the room. Vent-free logs don’t use the chimney, but they still need to be checked, and a carbon monoxide detector belongs nearby. Our gas log service covers the burner, pilot, valves, connections, venting and log placement, so add it to your Ottumwa visit if it applies.
Water Is a Chimney’s Worst Enemy
Iowa winters freeze and thaw the same chimney many times a season. Water that soaks into brick and mortar expands when it freezes and slowly breaks the masonry apart. If you see white staining on the brick, crumbling mortar or water stains near the fireplace, ask us about chimney waterproofing and repair. Catching it early costs a lot less than rebuilding later.
The crown
The slab on top of an Ottumwa chimney should be concrete, ideally reinforced with mesh, at least 2 inches thick at its thinnest point and sloped so water runs off. It should also hang 2 to 3 inches past the brick so runoff lands on the roof. Crowns built from mortar, or built flat, hold water and crack. We can rebuild one to the right shape. See chimney crown repair.
The flashing
Flashing is a series of metal sheets that seals the joint where the chimney leaves the roof. Wind, animals and falling branches can lift it, and dented flashing lets water pool until it rusts through. Either way, water finds its way inside. Our flashing repair restores that seal.
What We Look at on an Older Brick Chimney
Ottumwa has a lot of older housing, and many of those homes have masonry chimneys with decades of use behind them. On a chimney like that we pay close attention to:
- Mortar joints that have eroded or gone sandy
- Clay liner tiles with cracks or offset joints
- The smoke chamber above the damper, where creosote and gaps often hide
- Firebrick with cracks or missing mortar
- Old throat dampers that have rusted or warped
Our camera shows us the liner and smoke chamber from the inside, so any recommendation is based on what’s actually there. Older chimneys sometimes have been repaired before with mismatched materials, and the camera helps us tell a sound old repair from one that’s failing. If a clay liner is cracked, we may be able to restore it with HeatShield® rather than replace it outright.
Factory-Built Fireplaces
Not every Ottumwa home has a brick chimney. Factory-built fireplaces use a metal firebox lined with refractory panels, a metal flue and a chase cover on top. Those panels can crack, and chase covers rust or get damaged by weather and animals. Parts have to match the specific unit, so we identify the model and find out what can be ordered before recommending a repair. If you burn wood in a factory-built unit, it needs sweeping just like a masonry chimney, because creosote collects in a metal flue too.
Buying or Selling in Ottumwa
When a house changes owners, NFPA 211 points to a Level 2 inspection. That level includes a camera look inside the flue that a general home inspection usually doesn’t cover. If you’re working toward a closing date, mention it when you call. We work with buyers, sellers, real estate professionals and insurance agents, and we’ll explain what we found in terms that are easy to pass along.
Certified People, Clear Answers
Top Notch Chimney Sweep & Services has been family owned and operated since 2002. The owner, Tom Hunkele, once led the National Chimney Sweep Guild as its President. Working alongside him are a Certified Chimney Professional and a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, trained in both Level 1 and Level 2 inspections. If we find something, we’ll show you and explain your options.
We also serve Oskaloosa and Albia. If you have family or a second property in either town, mention it when you call and we’ll see whether the visits can share a trip.
Call (515) 249-6337 to get Ottumwa on our schedule, or submit a request online and we’ll get back to you.
