Healthy Homes - R.L. Patoka and Sons

04/12/2026

🔥 **Dryer Fire at Local Assisted Living Today**

Unfortunately, a dryer caught fire at an assisted living facility today. These incidents are often preventable with proper maintenance.

Dryer vents can become clogged with lint over time, creating a serious fire hazard — especially in facilities where residents’ safety is critical.

✅ Protect your home, business, or facility!
Have your dryer vents and chimneys professionally cleaned and inspected.

Contact **R.L. Patoka and Sons** today for reliable, thorough service.

📞 Call us to schedule your cleaning and inspection!



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01/08/2026

Key Reasons for Chimney Cleaning:
Fire Prevention:
Burning wood creates creosote, a highly flammable, tar-like substance that coats chimney walls; if it ignites, it causes intense chimney fires that can spread to your house.

Carbon Monoxide Safety:
Blockages from soot, debris, or animal nests can prevent odorless, colorless carbon monoxide from escaping, forcing it back into your home, which can be fatal.

Improved Efficiency:
A clean flue allows for better airflow and a more complete burn, making your fireplace work better and potentially saving on energy costs.

Structural Integrity:
Soot, moisture, and acidic byproducts can erode mortar and damage the chimney liner, leading to cracks, leaks, and costly repairs.

Better Air Quality:
Prevents smoke and soot from backing up into your living space, reducing respiratory issues and keeping your home cleaner.

Signs Your Chimney Needs Cleaning:
Thick, black, tarry buildup (creosote).
Strong, acrid odors.
Reduced airflow or difficulty starting fires.
Soot around the hearth or black stains on the chimney.

Call on the people you can trust with over 40 years experience serving all of Southeast Arkansas. Experience counts!

870-628-3572 or 870-370-6390 or 870-377-0462

12/31/2025

Heavy creosote build up before and after sweep. This level of build up is primed and ready for a chimney fire.

Chimney flue fires are extremely hot, reaching temperatures well over 2,000°F (1,093°C), enough to melt mortar, crack flue tiles, warp metal, and ignite surrounding wood structures, causing severe damage and fire spread, with the heat generated by igniting creosote. Normal operating flue temperatures are much lower (350-650°F).

This level of creosote glaze cannot be removed by traditional methods. Make sure you have an experienced sweep take care of you and your property. We treat every home as if it was our own.

Call me on my personal cell with any questions or to schedule your sweep at 870-377-0462.

-Michael Patoka, R.L.Patoka and sons.

12/31/2025

This is a stove pipe in a shop that was rusted through. The customer had no idea that their stove pipe was in that condition. Thankfully they called us to sweep and inspect their fireplace so we could find it before it became a bigger problem.

12/31/2025

These are pictures from before and after a sweep this year. This chimney was over due for a cleaning.

Have your chimney swept and inspected regularly to help prevent chimney fires and property damage.

Chimney flue fires are extremely hot, reaching temperatures well over 2,000°F (1,093°C), enough to melt mortar, crack flue tiles, warp metal, and ignite surrounding wood structures, causing severe damage and fire spread, with the heat generated by igniting creosote.

Call me on my personal cell phone if you have any questions. 870-377-0462

-Michael Patoka, R.L.Patoka and sons.

09/17/2025

We're experiencing issues with our landline. Please reach us at our new number, 1-870-370-6390. Call, leave a voicemail, or send a text, and we'll get back to you promptly. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to hearing from you!

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our customers and friends!

11/24/2022

03/03/2022

Installed a fireplace insert and stainless steel liner today. Happy customers 😃

02/10/2022