Trust SureGlow Stove & Chimney for Chimney, Stove & Fireplace Services in Cassville, MO

Do I Need a Chimney Inspection When Buying or Selling a Home in Cassville?

Yes. In addition to your home inspection, you should be having a certified chimney professional complete a level 2 chimney inspection, as well.

Many assume that their home inspector will cover it all when evaluating the home. Yet, while they technically look at the chimney and usually give it a quick scan, this overview typically won’t involve an in-depth analysis of the chimney interior. Many buyers think their new home has been fully and comprehensively assessed when, in reality, their chimney may still need some attention.

Unfortunately, any issues aren’t usually discovered until the following burning season, when a professional sweep is finally called in – and by then it’s too late to have the previous owners cover repair costs or to lower the price of the home.

The only way to guarantee you know your chimney’s true condition prior to buying is to hire a CSIA-certified chimney sweep to perform a level 2 inspection.

What Are the Risks of Skipping Chimney Sweepings?

One of the biggest risks of skipping sweepings is the increased chance of experiencing chimney fires. There are a number of toxic byproducts produced by combustion, and one of them is creosote, which is highly flammable and triggers thousands of chimney fires every year.

What is creosote, exactly? Creosote is a sticky, highly-combustible substance that forms when the gases from combustion combine, cool, and then adhere to the inside of the chimney liner. It occurs naturally and, with regular use, creosote and soot will build up quite a bit over time. As the buildup gets thicker, it becomes more dangerous and more prone to ignite.

Any amount of creosote can cause a problem for your fireplace, but the CSIA recommends your fireplace and chimney be cleaned when there is 1/8″ of creosote and soot. To stay on top of this, we recommend residents in our service area schedule annual inspections with the crew here at SureGlow Stove & Chimney.

Are There Different Types of Creosote?

There are three stages of creosote that can develop with a fireplace and chimney, and each is used to describe the texture of the creosote, the anticipated difficulty of removing it, and what types of tools and products will need to be used during the chimney cleaning process.

What are the 3 stages of creosote?

1. Stage One: This is the earliest and easiest stage to remove as the buildup is mostly soot. At this stage, creosote is a thin, dust-like layer of coating and is relatively easy to get out of your flue. A thorough cleaning by a professional with a chimney brush can take care of Stage One creosote.
2. Stage Two: At this stage, creosote contains tar that has hardened and typically consists of hard, black flakes. Stage Two creosote is hard and it can start to restrict the airflow in your chimney, which will affect how your fires burn. Creosote at this stage can be removed, but it requires the use of more specialized tools.
3. Stage Three: Stage three creosote buildup looks like a coating of tar on the inside of your chimney, and it can easily catch on fire. At this point, creosote is the heaviest and most difficult to remove. It is possible that you may have to replace your chimney liner to completely resolve the problem.

The good news about working with SureGlow is we can help you out with it all, no matter what state your chimney or fireplace in Cassville is in – and that goes for more than just creosote! For any and all things chimney-related, we want you to rely on us. Call or reach out online now.

Why We Love Serving Cassville

We get the draw and appeal of bigger cities – and we love extending our services to these areas – but there’s a special place in our hearts for those smaller communities that hold a classic hometown-feel, like Cassville. Residents can enjoy a safer, small-town vibe, while still having plenty to do – things like…

• exploring Roaring River State Park
• picnicking at Rocky Edmondson Park
• visiting Cassville Golf Club
• browsing local boutiques and shops
• checking out Barry County Museum
• …and more

And on days when it’s rainy, snowy, or you just feel like staying in? Well, then it’s time to rely on the team here at SureGlow Stove & Chimney to offer quality chimney and fireplace services, ensuring your time indoors is as top-notch as possible.

If you’re in the area, we’d love to serve you soon, as well as your neighbors in Springfield, Branson, Joplin, Ozark, and many more surrounding cities. Give us a call or reach out online now to get started.

Why Trust a Professional Technician for Chimney Services?

We’ve gone over the importance of all of the services we offer, and we’ve also stressed the need to only trust a professional to complete them. But let’s just reiterate just why this is the route we, along with countless other reputable organizations, always suggest when it comes to your fireplace, stove, and chimney maintenance.

1. First and foremost – safety. Installing, working on, inspecting, and cleaning/sweeping a fireplace and chimney often involves working with gas lines, harmful buildup, and sometimes even electrical wiring, which can be dangerous if not done correctly. And, in every case, the ventilation components must be handled correctly, or you could be prone to gas leaks or fire hazards.
2. In addition to this, many fireplace manufacturers require that their products be installed and maintained by a certified professional in order for the warranty to remain valid. Building codes and regulations should also be considered (and may vary by location), and an expert will be aware of these, ensuring the appliance and venting setup meets all necessary requirements.
3. Then there’s efficiency to consider. A certified sweep will be able to properly assess the size of the fireplace and ventilation system to ensure that it is as energy-efficient as possible – guaranteeing you more heat and lower bills. They’ll also note if buildup or damages are hindering performance.
4. Finally, many end up saving money when hiring a professional for their chimney, venting, and fireplace services, despite the DIY attempt being a way to potentially reduce expenses. All too often, not trusting a pro only leads to more damage or to issues getting missed, which only makes things worse down the line.

Remember that you’re dealing with something in your home that is meant to hold a literal fire. Following every precaution is a must. Get our experts on the job, so you rest easier when putting your fireplace to use.