Osceola is the Clarke County seat, south of Des Moines along I-35. Top Notch Chimney Sweep & Services makes the trip down to Osceola for chimney, fireplace and venting work, and we’ve served Iowa homeowners since 2002. Call to schedule and we’ll set up a time that works with our route.
It’s All About Venting
Whatever you burn, whether wood, gas or something else, combustion produces gases that have to leave the house. The chimney or vent is what gets them out. When that path is blocked, cracked or the wrong size, you can end up with smoke in the room, poor performance or carbon monoxide where your family breathes. That’s why we look at the whole venting system and not just the fireplace you see.
Gas Fireplaces and Gas Logs
Gas fireplaces are popular for good reason: flip a switch and you have a fire. They aren’t maintenance-free, though. Burners collect dust and debris, logs get bumped out of place, and the venting can be blocked by nests or damaged parts. Signs a gas unit needs service include:
- Soot on the glass or on the logs
- A yellow, lazy or uneven flame
- Trouble lighting or staying lit
- An unusual smell when it’s running
Our gas log service takes care of those issues so the unit runs clean.
Wood-Burning Systems
Wood fires leave creosote in the flue, and creosote is what feeds chimney fires. An annual sweep and inspection keeps it under control. We’re trained in Level 1 and Level 2 chimney inspections and use camera equipment to see inside the flue, where cracks and buildup tend to hide.
When the Liner Isn’t Right
A cracked liner, or one that isn’t sized correctly for the appliance it serves, is a common source of venting problems. This comes up a lot when someone switches from wood to gas or installs a new insert or stove into an old chimney. Chimney relining gives the appliance a properly sized, sound flue.
Dryer Vents Are Venting Too
Your dryer has its own exhaust system, and it follows the same rule as a chimney: if the path is restricted, trouble follows. Lint gets past the trap and lines the duct, especially at bends. The dryer then runs hotter and longer, which wastes energy and raises the risk of fire, and a gas dryer’s exhaust may not clear the house the way it should.
Clothes that need two cycles, a dryer that’s hot to the touch or a burning smell are all reasons to have it checked. Our certified dryer vent cleaning clears the line and inspects the duct for damage. Osceola homeowners can add it to a chimney appointment so one trip covers both.
Warnings Worth a Call
Call us if smoke drifts into the room, if the fireplace smells strongly when it’s not in use, or if you see flaking brick, a missing cap or water in the firebox. For gas units, soot on the glass or a flame that won’t stay lit are the usual warnings. For the dryer, it’s clothes that stay damp after a full cycle. Any of these can wait for a scheduled visit only if the fireplace or appliance is shut off in the meantime. Describe what you’re seeing when you call, and we’ll plan the right kind of visit.
The Top of the Chimney
Clarke County winters freeze and thaw a chimney over and over, and the top of the stack takes the worst of it. Wind-driven rain adds to the strain, especially on the flashing where the chimney meets the roof. A cracked crown lets water down into the masonry. A missing cap lets rain, leaves and animals straight into the flue. Either one can turn a sound chimney into a repair job within a few seasons.
We rebuild crowns that were poured too thin, too flat or out of mortar, and we install stainless steel caps that carry a lifetime warranty. Down at the throat, a rusted or warped damper that won’t seal lets warm air out all winter, and we replace those too. See chimney caps and dampers.
Prefab Units and Their Parts
Many homes have a factory-built fireplace rather than a masonry one. These are designed as a matched set: refractory panels in the firebox, a metal flue, a chase cover and a cap. Each part is made for that specific unit, so a cracked panel or a rusted chase cover has to be replaced with the right part, not a substitute.
We’ve worked on factory-built fireplaces from a variety of manufacturers and can usually identify your unit and find out whether parts are still available. More on factory fireplace repair.
If you burn wood in a prefab fireplace, it collects creosote in the metal flue just like a masonry chimney does, so it needs sweeping on the same schedule. Gas prefab units need their venting, burner and pilot checked instead.
Brick, Mortar and Firebrick
On a masonry chimney, small repairs keep big ones away. When mortar joints crack or crumble, tuckpointing replaces the failing mortar with new. Bricks whose faces have flaked off from freeze damage can be cut out and replaced. Inside the firebox, cracked firebrick needs repair before the next fire so heat can’t reach the framing behind it. Our team trained at the Ahern Masonry Chimney & Fireplace Building Course, and we bring that care to repairs in Osceola.
Cleaner Air Inside
While we’re in your home, we can also clean your ductwork. Our certified air duct cleaning uses a HEPA vacuum system to remove built-up dust and debris, which helps anyone in the house with allergies or breathing problems. We check the heating and cooling system first, then work carefully so loosened dust is pulled out instead of blown back into your rooms.
Planning Around Our Busy Season
April through August is our off-season, and that’s when the schedule has the most room. Fall and winter fill with urgent calls from people who need a fireplace working right away, and the open dates go quickly. Booking in spring or summer also leaves time for any repairs we find, so the chimney is ready before you need it.
About Top Notch
We’re a family owned and operated company that has been in the trade since 2002. Owner Tom Hunkele is a Past President of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and a Certified Master Chimney Technician. A Certified Chimney Professional and a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep handle the work alongside him. Every job gets floor protection, dust control and our mess-free guarantee.
Heading north, we also serve Indianola. To the south, we serve Leon.
Call (515) 249-6337 or book online to set up service in Osceola.
