2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Archive for May, 2012

Height Requirements for Chimney Installations in Ham Lake

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

When contemplating the look of your chimney installation in Ham Lake it is important to follow the specific height requirements set by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).  These height requirements were established to distance the top of your flue from your home’s roof to reduce the amount of heat that your roof is exposed to.  The obvious reason for these requirements is if the top of the flue is too close to the top of your home, the heat could catch your roof on fire.  A not so obvious reason for these height requirements is if the fireplace does not have a sufficient distance from the fire pit to the top of the chimney flue, the smoke will not be sucked up towards the chimney.

The height requirements for a typical chimney, otherwise known as a masonry chimney, is the top of the flue must be 10 feet horizontally from any portion of the roof, and the top of the chimney must extend 3 feet from the roof, where the chimney protrudes.  Typically a chimney inspection professional from 2nd Generation Chimneys should check these distances, but the best way to check if your chimney clears the 10 foot distance between the top of the flue and your roof is by placing a tape measurer on top of your chimney, extend the tape straight out to 10 feet, and make sure you can not touch any portion of your home with this extended length.  You can also measure 3 feet from the top of your flue down to the roof, where your chimney emerges, to see if that height requirement is fulfilled.

If you find out that your chimney flue does not meet the height requirements for the safety of your home please contact 2nd Generation Chimney.  We will be able to fit your flue with a chimney height extension.

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Chimney Fire? We’ve Got You Covered

Friday, May 25th, 2012

If you have experienced a Chimney Fire, let 2nd Generation Chimney’s take care of your insurance claim. We are experts in the field of repair, relining, and restoration. For a hassle free process, give us a call today!

Here’s a look at a before and after Chimney Relining:

 

Looking a little charred…

 

 

 

 

 

Like new!

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Plymouth Chimney and Fireplace Tips: Ten Fire Safety Tips

Monday, May 21st, 2012

If you utilize your fireplace frequently in Plymouth, there are some preventative chimney cleaning and maintenance tasks that you should follow to avoid safety hazards. Even if you heat your home with a gas furnace or rarely use your fireplace, chimney fires and carbon monoxide leaks are still major concerns. Your chimney is part of your home’s ventilation system.

To maintain proper ventilation and prevent hazards, follow these guidelines:

1. Annual Inspections
The general consensus among fire safety experts is that chimneys should be inspected once a year by a certified chimney inspector. A qualified professional will inspect and clean your chimney to prevent air flow problems, fires, or carbon monoxide poisoning due to blockages and creosote buildup in homes heated with wood.

2. Burn the Correct Fuel
If you have a wood-burning application, such as a wood stove or fireplace, you should only burn wood that has been properly dried and stored properly for at least six months prior to burning. Never burn wood that has high amounts of resin, such as pine or other evergreens, and if you have a pellet stove, make sure you are burning pellets from a trusted source.

3. Chimney Cap and Cage Are Important – Without a chimney cap animals and birds will make your chimney their home.  These unwanted guests could lead to fires and poor ventilation for your chimney smoke.

4. Trash or Debris Do Not Belong in Your Fireplace– Burning trash or debris in your fireplace is never a good idea because the smoke could produce increased levels of creosote, or toxic smoke.  The smoke could also be highly pollutant.

5. Build the Fire Correctly – The first step to having a safe and efficient fire is to build the fire right.  Make sure that the logs are piled up towards the back of the fireplace, make sure the screen is ready to cover it up, and do not use flammable liquid to start the fire because if the liquid gets anywhere else in your home that could be dangerous.
6. Keep the hearth area clear – Remember that the fire in your home is still an open fire, and can throw out hot ash or embers that can ignite other flammable materials. Keep other materials at least 4 feet away from the fire in order to avoid this issue.

7. Install a Fireplace Screen – In order to avoid hot ash and embers from flying out of the fire, and things falling into the fire put up a fire place screen anytime you have a fire going. This will reduce all interactions with the fire, and make for a safer environment.

8. Smoke and carbon monoxide Detectors Save Lives. Smoke and carbon monoxide is definitely dangerous for the health of a family, but can sometimes go unnoticed until it is too late.  Installing a smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is incredibly easy and could save lives.
9. Pay Attention to Your Fire – Always extinguish your fire before going to bed or leaving the house.  A fire is unpredictable and potentially very damaging.  Even if you are in the house make sure to keep an eye on the fire so children or animals do not wander too close to it, especially if you do not have a fireplace screen.

10. Safe Distance from Chimney Flue – When smoke leaves your home it is warm enough to catch trees on fire over time.  Make sure to keep an eye on trees growing around your home to make sure they are not creeping closer to the top of your chimney.  Try to keep a fifteen to twenty foot distance between the top of your chimney and trees.

If you would like us to service your chimney or you have any questions please call 2nd Generation Chimneys.

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Chimney Inspection At It’s Finest

Friday, May 18th, 2012

Talk about a thorough chimney inspection! Do not try this at home…instead, call the professionals at 2nd Generation Chimney’s for inspection, cleaning & sweeping, chimney repair, fireplace replacement  and insurance claim restoration. You can count on the Pixley name to do it right!

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Golden Valley Wood Burning Tips: What NOT to Burn in your Fireplace or Wood Stove

Monday, May 14th, 2012

In addition to proper ventilation and annual chimney inspections in Golden Valley, burning the right type of fuel in your wood burning application is part of preventing chimney fires and other safety hazards. Making sure that you have installed interior and exterior spark arresters is also important in protecting your home and your property from potential fires created by embers.

If you have questions about choosing firewood, check our blog archives for more information on how to select and store your firewood. You can always call 2nd Generation Chimneys any time, and our fireplace and chimney experts will be glad to answer any further questions you might have.

In the meantime, here are some of the more common items that should NOT be burned in a fireplace or wood stove:

  • Cardboard and Garbage:  While this may seem obvious, many people think that burning trash and paper products, such as cardboard and magazines , is safe because they do not burn too hot; however, these products are typically treated with toxic chemicals that can be released into the air you breathe when you burn them.
  • Treated Wood and Construction Materials:  Like household garbage and cardboard, pressure-treated wood contains harmful chemicals that are released when burned, particularly stained or water-treated wood from decks or landscaping and rail road ties. This applies to construction scraps, such as plywood, particle board, gypsum board, press board, or any material that contains glue.
  • Ocean Driftwood:  When ocean driftwood is burned, it can release the sea salt and minerals that will turn into corrosive and toxic gases, which are harmful to your health and can damage your flue lining.
  • Green or Moldy Wood:  Wet or “green” wood causes excess smoking, creosote buildup, foul odors, and could potentially cause illness if the wood contains bacteria, mold, mildew, or other fungi.
  • Christmas Trees or Evergreens:  While all wood will create some creosote buildup, evergreens and trees that contain sap or heavy amounts of resin can create excess creosote. If you choose to burn this type of wood, be sure that you have your chimney cleaned and inspected  at least once a year, if not twice a year.

We also get many questions about burning artificial logs. Most fire safety experts agree that while these are convenient, they should only be used to start a fire if you do not have proper kindling. In addition, they should be burned in an open fireplace, and one at a time.

If you use fire starters, make sure you are careful about stirring the fire before they have completely burned, since moving them around could cause the fire to get too hot or out of control. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before you start the fire.

Don’t hesitate to give the fireplace experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys a call any time you have questions or concerns.

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$40 Off Chimney Clean and Video

Friday, May 11th, 2012

Take advantage of this fantastic offer! $40 Off a Chimney Clean with Video inspection. Give us a call today!

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Spring Chimney Cleaning and Inspection Deals

Monday, May 7th, 2012

If you used your fireplace a lot this winter it is definitely time to inspect and clean your chimney.  By keeping your chimney clean, you will ensure your family’s safety and the integrity of your chimney.  Anytime a household goes a few years without chimney inspection or cleaning the risk of poor ventilation, chimney fires, and creosote build up increases significantly.   Take advantage of 2nd Generation Chimney’s terrific deals right now to improve your home’s safety and overal chimney functionality.

One of the three great deals 2nd Generations is putting on right now is a chimney inspection and cleaning for only $119, after buying a damper.


 If you want a picture perfect idea of the inside of your chimney, take advantage of our $40 savings on chimney video inspection and cleaning.

  For more great deals on chimney cleanings and inspections please visit 2nd Genertaion Chimney’s promotion page.

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Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Saturday, May 5th, 2012

In celebration of the Cinco de Mayo holiday, here’s a fun recipe to try:

Cheese-Stuffed Jalepenos:

Ingredients
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 2-inch x 1/2-inch x 1/4-inch strips
  • 15 jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup real bacon bits
Directions
  • Place a cheese strip in each pepper half; sprinkle with bread crumbs and bacon.
  • Grill peppers, covered, over medium-hot heat for 4-6 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted. Serve warm. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

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