Chimney sweep in Andover, MN Chimney sweeping for Andover's newer homes and open country lots
Most homes in Andover are fairly new. The city grew from 3,830 people in 1970 to 32,601 in 2020, and part of it is still rural. We sweep, inspect and repair fireplaces, stoves and chimneys across 55304.
Factory-built fireplaces need care too
Andover's biggest growth came between 1970 and 2000, when it went from under 4,000 people to over 26,000. The city still adds about 50 new homes a year. Many homes from this period use a factory-built fireplace with a metal chimney, often hidden inside a framed chase with siding on the outside.
These systems are not maintenance-free. The metal chase cover on top can rust, pool water and leak into the framing. The cap can come loose. Inside, the metal flue sections can separate or warp after a chimney fire. Gas inserts and gas fireplaces need their venting and seals checked too. Only use doors, grates and parts made for your exact unit, because mixing parts can void its safety listing. A yearly inspection catches these problems while they are small.
Wood heat on rural land
At the 2020 census, 22.9% of Andover residents lived in rural areas. If you heat with a wood stove or burn a lot of wood in a fireplace, creosote builds up faster than with occasional use. Creosote is the main fuel for chimney fires. Burning dry, seasoned wood helps, and so does a regular chimney sweeping. Heavy users may need a sweep partway through the season. Creosote left in the flue over summer can also soak up humid air and cause a smoky smell in the house, so a spring cleaning helps too.
Andover's own old brick
Not every chimney here is new. The Porter-Kelsey House, built in 1887 with bricks from the local Kelsey Brick Works, is the city's only National Register property. Brick and mortar of that age are softer than modern materials. Repairs on any old brick chimney should use a matching soft mortar, not a hard modern mix. Hard mortar can crack the softer brick around it as it freezes and thaws.
Andover chimney checklist
- Chase cover and cap checks on metal chimneys
- Vent and seal checks on gas fireplaces and inserts
- Creosote sweeping for wood stoves
- Soft mortar repair for older brick
Fall is the busy season
Fall is when most people remember the chimney. Book your sweep and inspection before the first cold night, not after it.
Common Andover chimney questions
How do I know if my Andover chimney is metal or masonry?
Look at the outside. If the chimney is covered in siding to match the house, it is most likely a metal chimney inside a wood-framed chase. If you see brick or stone running up from the ground, it is likely masonry. We can confirm during an inspection.
We burn wood all winter on a larger lot. How often should we sweep?
Have the chimney inspected every year, and swept whenever creosote builds up. With steady wood burning, that can mean a sweep before the season and another check midwinter.
Do you come out to the rural parts of Andover?
Yes. We serve all of Andover in 55304, from newer subdivisions to larger rural lots. Use our online booking page to pick a time.
What you can count on
- Yearly inspection to NFPA 211The fire code standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents
- A clean living roomDrop cloths, the opening sealed, a vacuum running the whole time
- A straight answerWe show you what we found, and repairs are your call
- Arrival windows you pickBook online and we call before we arrive