Our licensed, insured team identifies hidden dangers before winter locks you out of your fireplace. Book your inspection now, don’t wait until it’s too late.
Every year in Minnesota, chimney fires send families to the hospital, and most could’ve been prevented. Reid Olivares Chimney Co. doesn’t just clean your chimney. We hunt for the silent risks: thick creosote buildup, cracked flues, and carbon monoxide leaks that Bloomington’s cold winters hide. Our team follows Minnesota’s strict chimney safety codes to keep your home and family protected. No guesswork. No shortcuts. Just a thorough sweep that meets or exceeds local standards.
Comprehensive chimney sweep for Bloomington homes and businesses.
The gold standard for safety. We remove all creosote, check for blockages, and verify your chimney meets Bloomington’s fire codes.
Pellet stoves and wood stoves need specialized care. We clean them safely to prevent dangerous backdrafts and efficiency loss.
If your chimney’s been damaged by fire, we assess the damage and recommend repairs to restore safety and function.
A hidden threat in every home. We test for CO leaks and seal gaps that let this odorless gas into your living space.
Cracks, spalling, or a failing flue? We repair or reline your chimney to prevent dangerous gas leaks and improve efficiency.
Smoke in your home? A blocked chimney? We respond quickly to keep your family safe, even after hours.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards so you can hire with total confidence.
Reid Olivares Chimney Co is Bloomington’s go-to chimney sweep for homes that need more than just a quick clean. We focus on what most companies miss: the hidden risks in your chimney that could turn a cozy fire into a dangerous situation. Every year, carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires send families to the hospital in Minnesota, often because homeowners didn’t know the warning signs. Our team doesn’t just sweep; we inspect for cracks, blockages, and creosote buildup that could ignite, especially in Bloomington’s cold winters when chimneys work hardest. If your fireplace is older than the Mall of America, it’s likely due for a deeper check than a standard sweep.
Bloomington’s older homes and tight-knit neighborhoods mean chimney problems spread fast. A neighbor’s undetected creosote fire can fill your home with smoke before you even know it. Our sweeps catch these risks early, before they become emergencies. We’ve seen chimneys in this area fail because homeowners assumed ‘it looks fine’ meant it was safe. Looks can lie. We don’t.
Minnesota’s chimney safety laws exist for a reason: our winters push chimneys to their limits. A chimney that works in milder climates can fail in Bloomington’s deep freezes. We follow these codes strictly because cutting corners in December isn’t an option. Your chimney isn’t just a vent, it’s a critical safety barrier. We treat it that way.
That ‘funny smell’ after lighting your fireplace? The soot on your ceiling? The way your fire smokes more than it burns? These aren’t minor issues, they’re symptoms of a chimney in distress. We’ve repaired chimneys in Bloomington where homeowners waited ‘just one more season’ to act. One season turned into a $5,000 repair. Don’t let that happen to you.
You shouldn’t have to worry about whether your chimney will protect your family or become a hazard. Our sweeps and inspections give you that certainty. We’ve worked with homeowners near the Mississippi River bluffs and in older bungalows downtown, every chimney tells a different story. Yours deserves to be one of safety, not regret.
Call or book online for a free estimate. We’ll review your chimney type, last inspection date, and any concerns you’ve noticed during use. No pressure, just honest advice on what your chimney needs. Our team responds within hours, especially if you’re near the airport or downtown where homes are packed close together.
We’ll need access to your chimney and attic if possible. Clear any debris from the base, and let us know if you’ve had recent work done. Our inspection takes 30-45 minutes, during which we’ll check for creosote, cracks, and proper draft. If you’ve noticed smoke in your home or weak flames, tell us, it helps us spot problems faster.
Using rotary tools and vacuums, we remove all creosote and debris. If we find cracks, rust, or blockages, we’ll repair them on the spot or provide a detailed plan. Our goal isn’t just to clean, it’s to make your chimney safer than it was before. We’ll explain every step so you know exactly what’s been fixed.
We’ll walk you through our findings, including a written report if needed. If your chimney needs maintenance, we’ll schedule it before winter hits. Our warranties cover our work, and we offer discounts for annual sweeps. Your chimney’s safety is our top priority, no upselling, just honest service.
"We’ve had our chimney swept before, but Reid Olivares was the first to actually inspect it properly. They found a hairline crack in the flue that was letting carbon monoxide into our home, something no one else caught. We’re installing a new detector now, but we’re also grateful they spotted it before it became a real danger. Their work is thorough, and they explain everything clearly."
"After a chimney fire last winter, I was nervous to use my fireplace again. Reid Olivares cleaned out all the soot, repaired the damaged liner, and gave us a step-by-step plan to prevent it from happening again. They even checked our carbon monoxide detector placement, something I’d never thought to ask about. Now I light my fire without worrying. Worth every penny."
"Our chimney had been neglected for years, and the soot buildup was terrifying. Reid Olivares didn’t just clean it, they explained why it was so dangerous and what we could do to keep it safe. They also sealed a few small cracks we didn’t even know were there. Now we have a warranty on their work, and I sleep better knowing our family is protected."
"We’ve used chimney sweeps before, but none were as detailed as Reid Olivares. They didn’t just sweep, they checked our stove’s seals, tested for carbon monoxide leaks, and even advised us on the best wood to burn in Bloomington’s dry climate. Their report was clear, and their pricing was fair. We’ll be calling them every year now."
"Our chimney had been giving us trouble for months, smoke in the house, weak draft, you name it. Reid Olivares found the issue: a collapsed flue liner from years of neglect. They relined it on the spot and explained how to spot problems early. Now our fireplace works perfectly, and we’re finally getting the warmth we pay for. No more guessing games."
"We were skeptical about hiring a chimney sweep, but after Reid Olivares’ inspection, we’re glad we did. They found a blockage from an old animal nest that was restricting airflow, and could’ve caused a fire. They cleared it, checked our chimney’s structure, and gave us tips on maintaining it. Their team was professional, and their work was done quickly. Highly recommend for anyone in Bloomington."
Expert local advice for Bloomington homeowners.
Proudly serving Bloomington and these nearby communities.
That’s carbon monoxide leaking from your chimney, often caused by poor draft or a blocked flue. Bloomington’s humidity and cold snaps make this worse, as moisture can corrode chimney liners over time. Never ignore it. CO poisoning sends people to the hospital every winter here. We’ll check for cracks, creosote blockages, or a damaged damper and seal the leaks before they become deadly.
No, that’s a sign of incomplete combustion, usually from wet wood or a chimney that hasn’t been swept in over a year. Bloomington’s damp winters make firewood dry slower, so even seasoned logs can create more creosote. If you’re using untreated wood, that soot will only get worse. We’ll clean the flue and show you how to burn wood properly to stop the mess, and the fire risk.
Five years of unswept use in Bloomington’s cold winters means your chimney likely has a thick layer of stage 2 creosote, which looks like tar and can ignite at any moment. That’s not just a mess, it’s a fire hazard. We’ve pulled out chimneys with half an inch of buildup after just three unswept winters. If you’ve never had a professional inspection, we’ll check for structural damage too, especially if your home is older than the 1980s.
That roaring is your chimney struggling to draw air, often because of a blocked flue or a damper that’s stuck shut. Bloomington’s windy days can also push smoke back down the chimney if it’s not sealed right. We’ll inspect for obstructions, check the damper’s hinge, and ensure the flue is the correct size for your fireplace. Ignoring it could lead to smoke filling your home, or worse.
Creosote looks like black, sticky gunk on the flue walls, but it’s also invisible until it’s too late. Warning signs include a strong chemical smell when lighting the fire, excessive smoke, or soot spreading beyond the fireplace. Bloomington’s older homes often have chimneys with narrow flues, which trap more creosote. We’ll clean it thoroughly and show you how to burn wood at lower temps to slow buildup, because prevention is easier than a fire.
No, water leaks mean your chimney’s crown or flashing is damaged, and that’s how cracks start. Bloomington’s freeze-thaw cycles make this worse, as water expands when it freezes and weakens mortar over time. If you see rust on the damper or water stains on your ceiling, the problem’s already advanced. We’ll repair leaks before they lead to a collapsed flue or a chimney fire.
Not safely. If an inspector marks your chimney as hazardous in Bloomington, that means there’s a real risk of fire, CO poisoning, or structural failure. Using it could void your home insurance. We’ll perform a full inspection, explain the exact issues, and give you a step-by-step fix plan, whether it’s a sweep, liner repair, or a full rebuild. Your safety comes first, even if it means waiting a few days for repairs.
If it’s been over a year since your last sweep, or if you’ve noticed any of the warning signs we’ve mentioned, it’s time for both. A sweep cleans the flue, but an inspection checks for hidden damage like cracks, rust, or a collapsed liner, problems that can’t be seen from the top. Bloomington’s older neighborhoods often have chimneys with undetected issues. We’ll do both and give you a clear report so you know exactly what’s wrong.
Fast response, upfront pricing, and workmanship guaranteed. Get your free estimate today.