2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning’ Category

3 Ways To Keep Your Chimney In Good Condition This Summer

Monday, July 4th, 2022

You may not be using your fireplace and chimney system pretty much at all for the next few months. We get that. No one is really up to stoking a fire unless it is to roast marshmallows in the backyard (please don’t do this in your living room fireplace). While you may not be using this indoor system at all it doesn’t mean that you should ignore your chimney until you need it again.

Taking the time to double-check that your chimney is in good condition is something that will benefit your home environment now and later on in the fall too. Here are three different ways that you can ensure your chimney is kept in good condition now and later in the year.

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How Chimney Sweeping Helps

Monday, September 27th, 2021

We are headed into fall at this point and our nights are getting colder. Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking about getting a nice warm fire going one evening soon. We say break out the cozy blankets and your favorite book or movie to really make things enjoyable. However, before you do all that, we have to ask, have you had your chimney cleaned yet?

Chimney sweeping in Minneapolis, MN is one of the most important jobs to have taken care of at the beginning of the cold weather season. If you are scheduling work for a heater, you should be looking at getting your chimney checked out if you haven’t already. Here’s why:

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Is Chimney Sweeping Mandatory?

Monday, July 5th, 2021

Your chimney is vital to the use of your fireplace. But now that it is summer, you don’t need to worry about your chimney for a while, right? Well, yes and no.

While you aren’t exactly using your fireplace and chimney right now, it may be the best time to give your chimney an important bit of care. We posed the question as to whether or not chimney sweeping in Edina, MN. While no one is going to show up at your door and force you to let them clean out your chimney, we do strongly recommend you opt to have this service done if you haven’t already.

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Why Chimney Sweeping Is an Important Service

Monday, March 1st, 2021
chimney-masonry-worn-brick

Spring is right around the corner which means that spring cleaning is probably starting to pop up in conversation. Don’t forget to include your chimney in your cleaning to-do list. You should, of course, keep the exterior of the fireplace dusted and clear of debris. And if you have a wood-burning fireplace, you’ll need to make sure the firebox itself is kept as clean as possible too. But chimney sweeping is a more intense and intricate process that requires the help of a professional, not just a dust rag and some elbow grease.

While we do admire the tenacity of anyone who wants to try to clean their chimney on their own, we don’t advise it. Chimney sweeping in Minneapolis, MN is a job best left to a professional chimney sweep like those on the team at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Here’s why this is a task for a trained individual and why it is important for you to get it done ASAP.

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Chimney Sweeping Is a Job for Pros

Monday, November 9th, 2020

Most of us have watched the iconic “Mary Poppins” movie scene with dancing chimney sweeps hopping from roof to roof and covered in soot. While chimney sweeps around here might be a little less magical, that doesn’t make them any less important. This is because chimney sweeping is a job that is best left to the professionals (that’s us) to ensure your comfort and safety.

It may not come across as a job that requires a lot of skill (you know how to sweep after all) but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The tools and knowledge required for proper chimney sweeping in Minneapolis, MN are only going to be found with a trained professional. That is why you should always reach out to 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. to keep your chimney and fireplace clean and clear.

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A Chimney Sweep’s FAQ About Chimney Cleaning

Monday, May 1st, 2017

chimney-fire-top-bottomIt may not be the prime time of year for chimney sweeps, but we still want to make sure you get the information you need to stay safe. As the weather warms up, it presents the perfect opportunity to repair a damaged chimney, install a new fireplace, or schedule your routine chimney cleaning. Before you do, however, you might have some questions.

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Why It’s So Important to Have Certified Chimney Sweeps on the Job

Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

You wouldn’t hire a mechanic to be your doctor—or vice versa—so why would you choose a random “handyman” to clean your chimney? A dirty chimney is dangerous, greatly increasing your chances of a home fire, and it’s something you should have cleaned every year.

Certified chimney sweeps have gone through training and testing to prove their expertise, and you should only hire someone with the right credit for the job.

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Why You Should Avoid a Cheap Chimney Sweep

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

Cleaning out your chimney once every year (at least!) is so important for your health and wellness, and for the well-being of your home. This process could potentially save your home, as a buildup of debris in the chimney could actually cause a fire to ignite in the chimney and spread to your home.

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It’s Summer! Why You Should Still Schedule Chimney Sweeping Today

Monday, July 6th, 2015

In the summertime, your home heating system is far from your mind. You love the warmth and comfort that radiates from your chimney in the winter, but once the warm weather hits, you’re unlikely to think of it much until fall rolls around again. But summer is a great time to schedule an annual cleaning visit and an inspection from a certified chimney sweep. Here’s a look at why.

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What Is Creosote?

Friday, February 20th, 2015

Combustion heat always creates byproducts – some of them toxic – whether the combustion is in a simple fire pit in your backyard or a fireplace insert in your living room. Combustion byproducts can be gases, vapors, fumes, ash and soot, but there is one byproduct that can lead directly to chimney fires: creosote.

What Is It?

Creosote is a sticky, corrosive and highly flammable substance that is created when the noxious gases and vapors from combustion cool below 250 degrees. When the gases cool to this temperature level, they liquefy, combine with soot and ash, and become the substance known as creosote. The sticky nature of creosote allows it to cling to the inside of your chimney, creating a highly flammable, dangerous build-up that can ignite.

Stages of Creosote

When a professional chimney cleaner assesses the level of creosote build-up in your fireplace, he/she will refer to the build-up as being Stage One, Stage Two or Stage Three:

  • Stage One – Stage One creosote is the easiest and least problematic as it is mostly comprised of soot; this means it is also the easiest to remove.
  • Stage Two – Stage Two creosote is black and flaky, and this is because the tar in the creosote has hardened. This level of creosote build-up can cause air restriction and pose the risk of a chimney fire.
  • Stage Three – a Stage Three creosote level is a very serious situation. This level of creosote looks and acts like a layer of tar and is very hard to remove; it is also extremely flammable and likely to cause a chimney fire. It may be necessary to replace the lining in a chimney that has Stage Three creosote.

Schedule Annual Chimney Cleaning

Preventing chimney fires is one of the most important reasons to schedule an annual chimney cleaning in in Carver County. If it’s been more than 12 months since your last chimney cleaning and you are having problems with drafting, soot and ash, call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.

Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS

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