Chimney sweeping, inspection and repair in Rochester, MN
Fireplaces, wood stoves, inserts and the masonry around them.
We sweep, inspect and repair chimneys, fireplaces and stoves around Rochester and Olmsted County. Call this number and you are talking to the people who climb the roof.
Which chimney service do you need?
Based on NFPA 211 and the Chimney Safety Institute of America inspection levels.
What we do
| Chimney sweeping | Creosote and soot removal for fireplaces, stoves and inserts; draft and odor problems. |
| Inspections | Level 1 yearly checks and Level 2 camera inspections for home sales and appliance changes. |
| Masonry and crown repair | Freeze-thaw damage, crowns, mortar, rebuild-or-repair decisions. |
| Leak repair | Water in the firebox, stains, flashing. |
| Caps and chase covers | Keeping out rain, snow and animals. |
Chimneys in a Rochester winter
Rochester averages January lows close to 5°F and roughly 50 inches of snow a season, and the fall and spring bring dozens of days that thaw by afternoon and freeze again at night. Water that soaks into brick, mortar or a cracked crown expands by about 9% when it freezes. Repeat that cycle all winter and the result is spalled brick faces, crumbling joints and crowns that split. That is why caps, crowns and flashing matter more here than in milder climates, and why we look at them on every inspection.
Long heating seasons also mean wood stoves and inserts burn hard for months. Creosote builds up faster in a stove that is run low and slow overnight, and outside walls on older Rochester homes keep flues cold, which adds to buildup.
Rules and standards that apply
- Yearly inspection. NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents, recommends an inspection every year, with cleaning as needed.
- Inspection levels. The CSIA describes Level 1 (routine, accessible parts), Level 2 (camera through the flue; standard for property sales or changes to the appliance, fuel or liner) and Level 3 (opening concealed areas when serious hidden damage is suspected).
- Carbon monoxide alarms. Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. 299F.51) requires a working CO alarm within 10 feet of every room used for sleeping in single-family homes and apartments.
- Permits. Installing a new wood stove, insert or factory-built fireplace, or rebuilding a chimney, generally needs a permit. In the city, check with the City of Rochester's building safety department; outside city limits, check with Olmsted County.
Where we work
Rochester and nearby Olmsted County towns including Byron, Stewartville and Oronoco. See service area. Typical prices are on the price page.