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We’re Proud to Serve Our Indiana Communities

The Oesterling Chimney crew is polite, professional, efficient, and happy to offer quality chimney and fireplace services to homeowners throughout our wide service area.

For Chimney & Fireplace Services, Count On Us

If you’re in any of the following counties, cities, or towns, give us a call to schedule or request an estimate online. We’d love to serve you soon!

Ripley County

Batesville,
Sunman,
Versailles

Franklin County

Batesville

Fayette County

Connersville

Shelby County

Shelbyville

Rush County

Rushville

Dearborn County

Lawrenceburg,
Aurora

Jefferson County

Madison

Bartholomew County

Columbus

Decatur County

Greensburg

Jackson County

Seymour

Johnson County

Nineveh,
Franklin

How Does My Chimney System Work?

In order to understand whether your chimney is safe, it helps to get the gist of how a chimney system works. Chimney systems are made of several parts, and each part plays a role in helping to move smoke and other unwanted byproducts out of your home when you have a fire.

Your typical chimney and fireplace system has a firebox, smoke chamber, chimney flue, damper assembly, and a chimney cap.

A chimney system’s sole purpose and function is to keep you and your family safer while using your fireplace or stove. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, things like soot and creosote are produced when you burn wood. Creosote is extremely combustible and can build up inside your chimney over time, potentially causing a chimney fire.

Gas fireplaces and stoves don’t produce creosote, but they do produce potentially harmful fumes and carbon monoxide that must vent properly.

Long story short – your system is more complex than you likely realized, and all parts need to be working properly to ensure safe, efficient operation. Because of this, trusting an expert for quality care and services is a must.

Can I Inspect My Own Chimney?

When it comes to checking your chimney, you want to leave this to the professionals here at Oesterling Chimney. Our technicians have the knowledge and tools needed to get the job done right, including specialized video equipment for a thorough internal inspection.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that chimneys should be inspected and cleaned annually. These yearly inspections are the best way to ensure your system remains safe.

That said, we do encourage customers to visually inspect their fireplace occasionally. If you notice soot buildup, staining, damaged masonry, or smoke backing into your home, call us right away.

What Is the Most Affordable Way to Reline a Chimney?

There are typically three liner options: clay tile, aluminum or stainless steel, and cast-in-place systems. Clay liners are commonly installed with the original masonry chimney but are more difficult to replace.

For damaged clay liners, HeatShield® may be an option. This system restores your clay tile liner to optimal efficiency without full replacement and is often one of the most cost-effective solutions.

Fuel type matters greatly when choosing a liner. Aluminum is only appropriate for natural or propane gas systems and is less durable than stainless steel. Stainless steel works for wood-burning, gas, oil, and pellet systems and offers superior longevity.

Cheaper isn’t always better, but we’ll help you find the safest and most affordable option for your home.

Why Should I Trust a Professional To Reline My Chimney?

Chimney liners are critical to safely venting dangerous combustion byproducts. Improper sizing, installation, or materials can result in damage and serious safety risks.

Because of this, we always recommend working with a trained professional for chimney relining and any other chimney services.

Book with us online through our website or give us a call to learn what we can do for you.

What Should I Look for When Choosing a Chimney Service Company?

  • How long have they been in business?
  • Do they have positive reviews?
  • What certifications do they hold?
  • Are they responsive to your concerns?
  • Do they seem committed to quality work?

Oesterling Chimney is proud to meet and exceed these standards. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call — we’d love to work with you.

Do Gas Fireplaces Need Servicing?

Yes, gas fireplaces need servicing. Even though they are low maintenance, they are not no maintenance. The CSIA, NFPA, and most manufacturers recommend annual inspections and servicing.

Common Gas Fireplace Issues:

  • Damage or deterioration
  • Malfunctioning burners
  • Irregular flame patterns
  • Excessive soot or carbon buildup
  • Gas odors
  • Fading or discoloration
  • Unusual noises

Routine Gas Fireplace Maintenance Includes:

  • Inspecting the exterior
  • Checking the glass and gasket seals
  • Inspecting ceramic logs
  • Cleaning the burner and ignition system
  • Testing carbon monoxide detectors
  • Ensuring proper ventilation

Trust our experts for a thorough evaluation and reliable service. Call or reach out online to schedule today.

Chimney and Fireplace FAQ’s

Browse our frequently asked questions that we here often from our customers about Chimneys and Firepalces. Feel free to reach out to our team if you have other questions or can’t find your answer below.

Occasionally referred to as a crown wash, this part of the chimney covers the top of the entire chimney chase (the full open part of the chimney, excluding the flue/flue liner where the smoke escapes) and often appears as a thick slab or shelf slightly hanging over the side walls of the chimney. Chimney crowns are usually made of stone or concrete, but are also sometimes constructed of a non-corrosive metal.

When they’re constructed and installed correctly (made of materials that are cement-based and meant to withstand the elements), a chimney crown shouldn’t break down very easily. Think about how long cement sidewalks hold up, even with a ton of foot traffic.

However, what tends to happen – and what we see in this industry all the time – is that during the construction of your masonry chimney, when the mason is finishing up at the top of the chimney, they’ll smear any leftover mortar on the top of the chimney and call it your crown. This will last for a little while, but because mortar is not as sturdy as concrete, over time, just like with the joints between your bricks, the material will begin to break down and crumble.

This leaves your brickwork and any openings in the chimney chase susceptible to weather damage, water entry, animal intrusion, etc. Fortunately, if your chimney crown is old, damaged, or deteriorating, it is not irreparable. You can trust the Mid-Valley crew to rectify your situation, so your chimney crown can do its job.

A chimney cap on the other hand, is a structure placed on top of the flue(s) of your system. These are almost always made out of metal, but also come in different designs and styles, depending on both your personal preferences and the type of chimney you have. Where a chimney crown is meant to totally cover the entire chimney chase and act as a barrier, the functions of a cap are a little bit different.

Chimney caps sit atop the flue(s) to prevent anything from getting in. While they differ slightly across models, the basic structure is the more or less the same: a metal grate in the shape of the flue (square, circle, rectangular, etc.) with its own little roof and metal mesh sides designed to fit snugly atop the flue opening to your chimney.

This structure provides the perfect conditions to keep unwanted things out, while still ensuring your system is vented appropriately.

We're Here for you

Our Certified Technicians Are Ready for Your Call

So, why trust Mid-Valley Chimney for all of your chimney, venting, and fireplace needs? Because there isn’t much we can’t do for you, and we treat you with care and respect throughout the entire process. Trust our team to be honest and thorough, ensuring you get the highest level of care possible.

In addition, we won’t slam you with confusing jargon or give you a big bill, then high-tail it out of there. We treat our customers with care and consideration, ensuring a full understanding of what to expect and why we’re doing what we’re doing.

Questions about where to start? Or maybe you’re ready to get an appointment set up? Well, we’d be happy to hear from you. Call 513-727-0994 or reach out online now.

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Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps provides expert chimney inspections, repairs, cleanings, and maintenance services to keep your home safe and efficient in Franklin, OH.

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