Knoxville is the Marion County seat, southeast of Des Moines and just southwest of Lake Red Rock. Top Notch Chimney Sweep & Services provides chimney and venting service in Knoxville and the surrounding area. We’ve been in business since 2002, and we’re a locally owned, family operated company.
The Chimney Is Mostly Out of Sight
From the living room you see the fireplace opening. From the yard you see the top of the chimney. Everything in between, the flue liner, the smoke chamber and the joints between sections, is hidden. That’s where the problems that matter tend to be: cracked liner tiles, gaps in mortar, creosote buildup and blockages.
That’s why we don’t rely on a quick glance. We use camera equipment, including Chim-Scan video scanning and a Lighthouse inspection camera, to get an up-close look inside the flue and show you what we see.
Level 1 or Level 2?
Following National Fire Protection Association guidelines, chimney inspections come in levels. We perform both of the levels most homeowners need:
Level 1
The standard annual check. We examine the readily accessible parts of the chimney, fireplace and connections for damage, blockages and creosote. This is right for a system that’s been working normally with no changes.
Level 2
A more thorough inspection that includes a camera inspection of the flue’s interior. A Level 2 is called for when a home is being sold or transferred, when you switch fuel types or add a new appliance, or after an event like a chimney fire or a strong storm.
Learn more on our chimney inspection page.
For Home Buyers, Sellers and Agents
If you’re buying a house in Knoxville that has a fireplace, a Level 2 inspection tells you what you’re getting before you close. If you’re selling, it can head off surprises during the buyer’s inspection. We work with homeowners, real estate professionals, insurance agents and property managers, and we’ll give you a clear explanation of the condition of the system.
When We Find Something
Not every inspection turns up a problem. When one does, we explain it and lay out your options. Common findings include:
- A damaged or deteriorated flue liner, which may need chimney relining before the fireplace or stove is safe to use
- Cracked crowns and worn mortar from freeze-thaw cycles, handled through our chimney repair services
- Creosote that needs to be removed with a chimney sweeping
Clues That Something Has Changed
Between inspections, keep an eye out for changes. Smoke that hangs in the room, a fire that’s harder to get going than it used to be, or a strong smell from the fireplace in summer can all point to buildup or a blockage. Outside, look for flaking brick, a leaning cap or a dark stain running down the chimney. Inside, check the ceiling and walls around the chimney for new stains. If you see any of it, hold off on fires until we’ve had a look.
Water: The Slow Problem
Many of the problems an inspection turns up trace back to water. Spring rain, wet snow and summer thunderstorms hit a Knoxville chimney from the side as much as from above. Water gets in through a cracked crown, a gap in the flashing, a missing cap or the brick itself, which is porous and soaks up moisture.
Once it’s inside, freezing and thawing do the rest. Mortar loosens, brick faces pop off, liner tiles crack and dampers rust. After any needed repairs, we can apply chimney waterproofing made for masonry. It keeps rain out but still lets vapor from your fires escape, which paint and hardware-store sealers don’t.
Caps and Dampers Are Easy Wins
Two of the simplest fixes on any chimney are the cap and the damper. A cap covers the top of the flue and keeps rain, birds, raccoons and blowing leaves out. We install stainless steel caps that carry a lifetime warranty. Without one, nests and water end up inside, and both lead to bigger repairs. Caps also get knocked loose by wind, so it’s worth glancing up from the driveway after a strong storm.
The damper closes off the fireplace when it’s not in use. Older throat dampers often rust shut or stop sealing, which lets warm air out in winter and cool air out in summer. A damper that won’t seal can push up heating and cooling bills, and replacing it is a modest job.
If Your Fireplace Runs on Gas
Gas logs and gas fireplaces don’t leave creosote, but they do produce carbon monoxide, and vented units count on the chimney to carry it outside. A blocked flue or a damper stuck closed turns a cozy fire into a health hazard. Our gas log service checks the installation, valves, connections, pilot, venting and log placement, and we look for the kind of soot that signals a poor burn.
Add the Dryer Vent to Your Visit
If you’re scheduling a Knoxville chimney inspection anyway, consider having the dryer vent cleaned on the same trip. Lint that slips past the trap collects inside the duct, especially at bends and on long runs. As it builds, drying times go up, the dryer runs hotter and the fire risk climbs. Our certified dryer vent cleaning clears the line with a HEPA vacuum and brushes made for the job, and we check the duct for crushed or damaged sections.
Wood Stoves and Heavy Burning
If you heat with a wood stove through a Knoxville winter, the flue sees far more smoke than a fireplace used now and then. Burn dry, seasoned wood, give the fire enough air, and avoid long, smoldering overnight burns. Those habits slow creosote down, but a stove that runs every day still needs its chimney swept and inspected at least once a year.
Duct Cleaning on the Same Trip
We’re also certified in air duct cleaning. After years of heating and cooling, ductwork holds dust and debris that gets pushed back into your rooms. We inspect the system, set up a HEPA vacuum and use specialized brushes to clear the buildup, then let you know about any holes or defects we spotted along the way. Leaky ducts waste the air you pay to heat and cool, so it helps to know where they are.
Certified, Experienced, Clean
Inspections are only as good as the person reading them. Tom Hunkele, our owner, is a Past President of the National Chimney Sweep Guild, and our people include a Certified Chimney Professional and a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. The team has also completed the CSIA’s Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Course, which is built around finding and recording chimney problems. We protect your floors and control dust on every job.
We also serve Pella on the other side of the lake, and nearby Pleasantville.
Need an inspection before a closing date? Call (515) 249-6337 so we can find a time, or schedule online.
