Chimney help for Apple Valley ramblers and the homes that followed
Apple Valley started as Orrin Thompson's postwar subdivision, and his standard house was the one-story rambler. Homes began replacing farmland here in the mid-1950s, so the oldest chimneys in 55124 have seen a lot of winters. We sweep, inspect and repair them, along with the fireplaces in newer homes built since.
A subdivision that became a city
This land was farmed for nearly a century, first as part of Lebanon Township, set up in 1859. In the mid-1950s, houses began to replace the fields. Orrin Thompson's subdivision became the center of the new town, and he gave each house he built an apple tree. He named the project after a visit to Apple Valley, California. In 1968 voters chose the name Apple Valley over Lebanon Valley, 1,376 to 757, and the city was incorporated in 1969.
What ages on a rambler chimney
A rambler's chimney is short, but it works just as hard as a tall one. If yours is original brick or block, the parts to watch are the crown, the flashing and the flue liner. Crowns crack and let water into the masonry. Flashing pulls away from the brick and leaks onto ceilings. Clay liners crack from heat and freeze-thaw, and those cracks are hard to spot without a camera.
In many homes of that era, the furnace and water heater vent through their own flue in the same chimney as the fireplace. When one of those appliances is replaced, the flue may no longer match it. An oversized or unlined flue lets exhaust cool too fast, which leads to condensation and crumbling mortar inside the stack. A camera inspection shows what is going on in there.
Trees, leaves and the roofline
Mature trees close to the roof can drop leaves and twigs into an open flue and scrape against the cap. Keep branches trimmed well back from the chimney top. A cap with mesh sides keeps out leaves, birds and squirrels. Clear away any leaves that pile up where the chimney meets the roof, since they hold moisture against the flashing. If the crown is cracked or the flashing has lifted, our chimney repair work can rebuild or reseal it.
For Apple Valley rambler owners
- Crown repair and sealing
- Flashing reset to stop roof leaks
- Liner check after a furnace or water heater swap
- Mesh caps to keep out leaves and animals
Apple Valley chimney FAQ
My Apple Valley rambler still has its original chimney. Is it safe to use?
It may be fine, but only an inspection can tell. Chimneys from the city's first neighborhoods have been through many rounds of freeze and thaw, so we check the crown, flashing and liner before anything else.
We replaced the furnace in our rambler. Does the chimney need anything?
Possibly. A new high-efficiency furnace usually vents out a side wall. That can leave the water heater alone in a flue sized for two appliances. A smaller liner is often needed so the water heater drafts the right way.
Do you serve all of Apple Valley?
Yes. Apple Valley is ZIP code 55124, and we work across the city, from the original residential district near downtown to every newer part of town. Set up a visit through our booking page.