Do heated roof cables prevent ice damming?

• <div><p>Yes, and they do it exceptionally well. Heated roof cables have two purposes: melting snow and preventing ice buildup. <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-causes-ice-dams.htm">Ice damming</a> <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-prevent-ice-dams.htm">happens when ice forms on the roof</a> (usually where the roof meets the gutter) and melts stubbornly slowly, causing moisture to enter the roof itself and, therefore, the home. </p></div>

Do solar panels cause mold on the roof?

• <div><p>It’s possible that installing solar panels can lead to mold on the roof. The panels themselves are not the issue. Problems caused by improper installation—such as roof leaks and mounts that aren’t sealed properly—can cause mold. Another potential cause of mold is debris accumulation under panels, which can trap moisture. If you live somewhere with extreme snow, rain, or hail, your home could be more prone to mold.</p></div>

Get matched with top chimney sweeps in Waterloo, IA

Q: How do I maintain a painted metal roof?

• <div><p>Regular cleaning, inspecting for peeling or rust, and reapplying coatings every 8-12 years helps maintain durability.</p></div>

Q: Do solar panels cause mold on the roof?

• <div><p>It&rsquo;s possible that installing solar panels can lead to mold on the roof. The panels themselves are not the issue. Problems caused by improper installation&mdash;such as roof leaks and mounts that aren&rsquo;t sealed properly&mdash;can cause mold. Another potential cause of mold is debris accumulation under panels, which can trap moisture. If you live somewhere with extreme snow, rain, or hail, your home could be more prone to mold.</p></div>

Q: Is it possible for homeowners to clean roofs safely themselves?

• <div><p>While DIY cleaning is feasible, it's risky without proper equipment or experience. Hiring professionals ensures safety and effectively avoids damage.</p></div>

Q: What surfaces should you not use a pressure washer on?

• <div><p>You should not use a pressure washer on any surface that it might damage. Examples include shingled roofs, glass, electrical components, and anything with a seal that might be stripped away by the pressure. There are a variety of different uses for a pressure washer . They're ideal for driveways, patios, garage floors, vehicles, fencing, gutters, and paint stripping.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Chimney Sweeping pros in Waterloo, IA

*The Angi rating for Chimney Sweeping companies in Waterloo, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Chimney Sweeping needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Chimney Sweeping companies in Waterloo, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Chimney Sweeping needs.

Last update on October 19, 2025

Reviewed in February 2016
He said the roof needed to be placed and I agreed to a new Decra steel roof.. He said they could start the work in 2 weeks and he ended up starting almost 2 months later. He had bad communication throughout the project, he parked his trailer in front of my neighbor?s house for almost 3 weeks,...
Professional Roofing & Siding
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Reviewed in February 2016
The initial contact was good and the price was fair. So they started the work and replaced the flat roof which went well. Then when they started on the chimney they found they would need to remove some of the roof to access everything which would be some additional cost. I agreed to this and...
EJS Roofing LLC
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Reviewed in January 2016
I started by submitting a RFP to five respected suppliers. Evaluated them all on as level a plane as possible and selected the best with weighting heavy on price (but not entirely). It was a long wait due to prior commitments on their part. In reflection, It all went well. I had carefully laid...
Green's Appliance Heating & Cooling
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Reviewed in February 2015
The job took about five months and the rood did not pass inspection. City Builders took down all the information and then passed it on to another contractor. It was leaking around the chimney badly but they did not pass on any information to the people that did it so they didn’t know about the...
City Builders
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Reviewed in May 2011
Employee & owner did not show upon time or on days they were supposed to. Did not complete job within time frame. Did not do right work, chimney is worse now ! Took to small claims court and he filled bankruptcy. Never use again !
McDuffee Chimney Systems
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Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Cedar Falls

2813 Terrace Dr

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Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Cedar Falls

2813 Terrace Dr

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Free onsite estimate

Midtown Chimney Sweeps is ready to assist you in the maintenance and repair of your fireplace or chimney. Our certified chimney technicians will review any type of light chimney repair or maintenance that is recommended for your home. Chimneys are often one of the most neglected, undetected, or misdiagnosed systems in the modern American household. This is unfortunate, since the safe operation of our fireplaces and wood stoves requires a properly working chimney. During your annual chimney inspection, our certified chimney sweeps will be able to determine the condition of your chimney and offer solutions for chimney repair and maintenance should it be required.

Chimney Sweep questions, answered by experts

Yes, and they do it exceptionally well. Heated roof cables have two purposes: melting snow and preventing ice buildup. Ice damming happens when ice forms on the roof (usually where the roof meets the gutter) and melts stubbornly slowly, causing moisture to enter the roof itself and, therefore, the home.

Regular cleaning, inspecting for peeling or rust, and reapplying coatings every 8-12 years helps maintain durability.

It’s possible that installing solar panels can lead to mold on the roof. The panels themselves are not the issue. Problems caused by improper installation—such as roof leaks and mounts that aren’t sealed properly—can cause mold. Another potential cause of mold is debris accumulation under panels, which can trap moisture. If you live somewhere with extreme snow, rain, or hail, your home could be more prone to mold.

While DIY cleaning is feasible, it's risky without proper equipment or experience. Hiring professionals ensures safety and effectively avoids damage.

You should not use a pressure washer on any surface that it might damage. Examples include shingled roofs, glass, electrical components, and anything with a seal that might be stripped away by the pressure. There are a variety of different uses for a pressure washer . They're ideal for driveways, patios, garage floors, vehicles, fencing, gutters, and paint stripping.

The Waterloo, IA homeowners’ guide to chimney sweeping services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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