Top Notch Chimney Sweep & Services provides comprehensive chimney services to residents of Waukee. For over two decades, we have been traveling throughout Central Iowa delivering the best and most reliable chimney and venting services to as many of our neighbors as possible. Our customers love our dedication to quality, and count on us to take care of their systems and provide expert, professional advice and quality workmanship every time. They know that our CSIA-certified sweeps are qualified and knowledgeable and can take care of any and every chimney and venting related need.
Enjoy The Expertise Of Top Notch
When we’re on the job, you can count on our skilled technicians to provide quality work, whether we’re inspecting, cleaning, or making repairs to your chimney. You can also count on us to be proactive and look for any potential problems and bring them to your attention before you have any serious issues. The same goes for your air ducts and dryer vents!
We chose the name “Top Notch” because that’s the level of expertise, service, and products we deliver…we always have and we always will! Just check out our online reviews.
If you live in the Waukee area and are looking for quality, affordable care, call us! Top Notch Chimney Sweep & Services is here to help keep your chimneys and vents clear and functioning properly. Give us a call today or click here to schedule online!
You’ll find a real sense of community in Grimes, IA as well as Top Notch’s service for the fireplaces and chimneys of customers within our entire service area.
Newer Homes Still Need Chimney Care
Waukee has grown quickly, and many homes here are fairly new. It is easy to assume a newer fireplace does not need attention, but that is not how it works. Chimneys and vents need care from the first season of use.
Many newer houses have factory-built fireplaces, which are metal units with a refractory-lined firebox and a metal flue inside a framed chase. They are reliable when maintained, but refractory panels can crack, chase covers rust and caps blow off. Each part is designed for that specific model, so repairs need matching parts. Our factory fireplace repair service handles exactly that.
If your Waukee home has a masonry chimney instead, the concerns shift to the crown, mortar joints, flashing and the liner. Either way, an annual inspection is the simplest way to catch small problems early.
Gas Fireplaces Are Not Maintenance-Free
A lot of Waukee homeowners use gas logs or a gas insert, and many think that means the chimney can be skipped. Gas does not leave creosote, but a gas appliance still produces carbon monoxide that has to vent out of the house.
During gas log service we check the installation, valves and connections, the pilot, the ventilation and the position of the logs. Cracked or shifted logs and heavy soot both point to a problem with how the fuel is burning. Vented logs also need a fully working chimney and an open damper to be safe.
Wind, Storms and Your Chimney Cap
The cap sits over the top of the flue and keeps out rain, debris, birds and animals. It is also one of the parts most often damaged or lost. Strong storms can tear a cap loose, and animals sometimes pry them up to get inside.
Without a cap, water falls straight into the flue and wildlife can move in with flammable nesting material. A damper that does not seal is another common problem, letting heated or cooled air escape. We install and repair both; see our page on chimney caps and dampers.
Air Ducts in a Newer House
New construction can leave dust and debris behind in the ductwork, and normal life adds more each year. Every time the furnace or air conditioning runs, that dust can move through the vents. For allergy and asthma sufferers, clean ducts make a difference.
After looking over your system, we run specialized brushes through the ducts while a HEPA vacuum pulls the loosened buildup out. We will also point out holes or defects we find. Read more about air duct cleaning.
Who Comes to Your Door
Owner Tom Hunkele has run Top Notch since 2002. He is a Past President of the National Chimney Sweep Guild, and his crew includes CSIA Certified Sweeps. This is a family business, and you can meet the people on our team page.
Inside your home, our sweeps use dust control and floor protection, and every sweep is backed by our mess-free guarantee. If the system checks out fine, we tell you so.
Things to Watch for Between Visits
Even with yearly service, a few signs mean you should call before the next appointment:
- Smoke filling the room when a fire is lit
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney
- Rust on the firebox floor or damper
- A chase cover or cap that looks bent, rusted or out of place
- Chirping or scratching coming from the flue
- Clothes that need two cycles in the dryer
The sooner a problem is found, the more likely it can be fixed with a simple repair.
Water at the Top and Around the Roofline
On a masonry chimney, the crown is the concrete slab at the top that sheds water. On a factory-built system, the metal chase cover does the same job. Both take a beating from Iowa weather, and once they crack or rust through, water heads straight into the chimney.
Flashing is the metal that seals the gap where the chimney passes through the roof. Wind, debris and poor installation can loosen it, and water follows. We repair crowns, replace chase covers and fix flashing. See our chimney leak services for more.
Don’t Forget the Dryer Vent
Lint that gets past the trap settles in the vent duct. As it builds up, the dryer runs longer and hotter, energy bills climb and the chance of a fire goes up. If the dryer is hot to the touch or smells like smoke, call us to clean and inspect the vent.
Burning Wood in a Newer Fireplace
Factory-built fireplaces that are rated for wood need the same sweeping as a masonry chimney. Creosote collects on the inside of the metal flue just as it does on clay tile, and it is just as flammable.
Use only the fuel your unit is made for, and keep trash, cardboard and treated lumber out of the firebox. Seasoned firewood burns cleaner and leaves less residue behind. Pair good burning habits with a yearly sweep and inspection, and the fireplace will be ready whenever you want a fire.
Not sure what fuel your unit is rated for? Ask during your visit and we will help you find out.
West Metro Towns We Also Serve
Our routes through Waukee also cover Adel, Van Meter and Dallas Center. Call (515) 249-6337 or book online to set up your next visit.
