Can I keep burning wood until the sweep comes?

No. A flue that has never been cleaned is likely full of creosote, and each fire adds to it. Wait until the chimney has been swept and inspected.

Does a sweep need a permit in Arlington Heights?

In Illinois, permits are issued locally. Routine sweeping and basic inspection are generally not permitted work, but relining or new venting commonly is. Check with the local building department before any larger work begins.

Which building code applies to my chimney here?

Illinois has no single statewide code for all residential construction. Most municipalities adopt editions of the International Residential Code and International Mechanical Code, so ask the local building department which edition is in force.

Who actually does the work?

An independent sweep or mason does it. One Call Chimney is a referral and scheduling service, so we arrange the job but we are not the contractor. Illinois leaves licensing and registration for this work to local rules, so ask the technician what applies where you live.

Does the kind of wood I burn matter?

Yes. Unseasoned or wet wood and slow, smouldering fires build creosote far faster than hot, bright ones. The sweep can tell you what they find in your flue.

Who to call for never been swept in Arlington Heights, IL

If you have burned wood there for years and never had it swept, creosote has almost certainly built up inside the flue. It is a flammable coating, and it is fuel sitting inside your house. When you choose who does the work, look for a sweep who runs a camera through the whole flue, shows you the footage, and gives you the price in writing before anything starts. One Call Chimney is a referral and scheduling service. We arrange the job with an independent sweep or mason. We are not the contractor and we do not do the work ourselves.

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It happens here for ordinary reasons. Illinois has a long heating season, typically October into April, so a flue gets months of use every winter. Add unseasoned or wet wood and slow, smouldering fires, which build creosote far faster than hot, bright ones. A few seasons of that and the flue is coated. It is easy to miss, because nothing looks wrong from the living room.

While you wait — please don't

Stop using the fireplace. Every fire adds more creosote to a flue that is already coated, so wait until it has been swept and inspected.
Do not try to burn it out. A hot fire to clear the buildup can set the creosote alight and start a chimney fire.
If you see flames or hear a roar, get out and call 911. A roaring chimney or flames at the top is a chimney fire, and everyone needs to leave the house first.
Do not stay inside with carbon monoxide symptoms. If anyone has a headache, dizziness or nausea while a fire is lit, get outside and call 911.

What the technician does

Full sweep, top to bottomThe technician cleans the whole flue and removes the debris. You should not be left with a mess in the firebox.
Camera inspection of the whole flueA camera goes the full length of the chimney. Ask to see the footage so you can see what the technician sees.
Liner checkThe liner is checked for cracks and gaps. A damaged liner changes what is safe to burn, and the technician should explain why.
Damper, smoke shelf and fireboxThese are cleaned and looked over, since creosote and debris collect there.
Cap and crownThe cap and crown are inspected for the cracks and wear that let water in.
Price first, then your approvalThe estimate is free. The technician inspects the chimney and gives you the price before any work starts, and nothing goes ahead until you approve it.

Why this happens in Arlington Heights, IL

Arlington Heights has cold, snowy winters and frequent freeze-thaw cycles. Illinois winters are hard on exposed masonry, causing spalled brick, cracked crowns and worn mortar joints. Chicago-area clay soils and big seasonal temperature swings add wear to masonry as well. A sweep who is already on the roof or looking at camera footage can check for these things in the same visit. Many homes here have masonry or prefabricated fireplaces and chimneys, and the sweep should tell you which kind you have.

The housing stock matters too. Postwar and later suburban homes in Illinois often have factory-built metal fireplaces with Class A chimney chases. Many homes also vent a gas furnace or water heater through an older masonry chimney that needs a properly sized liner. Demand in Arlington Heights peaks in late fall through winter, during cold snaps, and again in spring and summer after storm damage. If the chimney has never been swept, it is worth arranging the inspection before you light the first fire of the season.

Questions people ask

Can I keep burning wood until the sweep comes?: No. A flue that has never been cleaned is likely full of creosote, and each fire adds to it. Wait until the chimney has been swept and inspected.
Does a sweep need a permit in Arlington Heights?: In Illinois, permits are issued locally. Routine sweeping and basic inspection are generally not permitted work, but relining or new venting commonly is. Check with the local building department before any larger work begins.
Which building code applies to my chimney here?: Illinois has no single statewide code for all residential construction. Most municipalities adopt editions of the International Residential Code and International Mechanical Code, so ask the local building department which edition is in force.
Who actually does the work?: An independent sweep or mason does it. One Call Chimney is a referral and scheduling service, so we arrange the job but we are not the contractor. Illinois leaves licensing and registration for this work to local rules, so ask the technician what applies where you live.
Does the kind of wood I burn matter?: Yes. Unseasoned or wet wood and slow, smouldering fires build creosote far faster than hot, bright ones. The sweep can tell you what they find in your flue.

One call

Call (866) 576-7943 and we will arrange a sweep and inspection for your Arlington Heights home with an independent technician. The estimate is free, and the price is agreed with you before any work starts.

Call now · (866) 576-7943

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One Call Chimney arranges the visit; the technician does the work and gives you the price.