2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Archive for January, 2013

We are your Minneapolis full service Chimney Sweep

Friday, January 25th, 2013

The Pixley family has been know for generations for our high quality service and that has not stopped with 2nd Generation Chimneys. We offer full service when it comes to your all your chimney sweeping needs. No need to call on a second company to rent equipment…we have our own! We will arrive at your home prepared with the tools needed to sweep, clean, repair, inspect or replace your chimney. We are certain that you will agree you are making the right choice by calling on the Pixley experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys. Your safety and comfort is our priority! Give us a call today at 1-866-PIXLEYS or complete a service or estimate request online.

Tags: Equipment, Minneapolis, Pixley, Safety
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Plymouth Chimney Sweeping: Tools of the Chimney Sweeping Trade

Monday, January 21st, 2013

When most people think of chimney sweeping they most likely think of Bert from Marry Poppins leaping across rooftops with a black wire brush filled with soot. 2nd Generation Chimneys provides complete Plymouth chimney sweeping services. While we still to use metal brushes on poles, there are many other tools that we have at our disposal to get your chimney nice and clean.

Why Are Chimney Cleaning Services Necessary?

If you have a fireplace in your Plymouth home, you may have never thought about getting it cleaned. Here are a couple of the benefits of getting your chimney cleaned.

Safety – Most people think that once the fuel they put in their fire burns that there’s no risk to them. In reality, the soot and creosote that gather on the inside of your chimney are still flammable. If soot and creosote build up in your chimney they can ignite again. Chimney fires can cause tremendous damage to your chimney and to your home.
Efficiency – When you have a fire in your home, you want it to burn as efficiently as possible. If you let soot and creosote build up inside your chimney, it can hinder the flow of smoke, heat and air out of your chimney.

Chimney Sweeping Tools

Here are some of the tools that our skilled Plymouth chimney sweeping professionals will use.

Brushes – One of the best tools for chimney sweeps is still a long wire brush. The flexibility and strength of wires brushes allows us to get into tight spaces and scrub out any deposits.
Vacuums – Chimney sweeping is a dirty job. We use vacuums to remove any pollutants that enter the air as a result of our cleaning processes. We also make sure to clean up any mess that we make.
Chemical soot removers – Sometimes, a brush isn’t enough to get the soot or creosote off of your chimney. In some cases, we use a chemical cleaning agent to remove those deposits.

If you’ve never had your chimney cleaned, it might be a good idea to think about calling 2^nd Generation today. We have many years of experience offering chimney cleaning in Plymouth. Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys today!

Tags: chimney cleaning, chimney sweeping, Plymouth
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Minneapolis Chimney Tip: What to Expect for a Chimney Relining Service

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Are you in need of a Minneapolis chimney relining service? Call 2^nd Generation Chimneys. If you have a damaged chimney liner, it can cause a number of safety hazards, whether you heat with a fireplace, wood stove, or gas furnace. A chimney relining service is a cost-effective way to prevent these hazards, but you should always hire a certified chimney technician to install any type of flue liner. The technician will make sure you get the right type and size for your particular chimney and heating system.

If you have recently upgraded your heating system, or if there’s been a chimney fire in your home, you will most likely need to have your flue liner replaced. A damaged liner or excess amounts of creosote can cause a fire as well. While there are many warning signs that your liner is damaged or needs to be cleaned, the one major sign of dangerous amounts of creosote is if you smell a very strong, bad odor. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or wood stove, an extremely smoky fire could mean that there’s a blockage in the chimney or that you are burning the wrong type of wood. Be sure to call for an annual chimney inspection if you have not done so this year. We provide thorough inspections and will let you know if it is time to replace your flue liner.

To prepare for a flue lining replacement, you should not build a fire 24 hours prior to the service. You should also cover the ashes or clean them out before the technician begins working. We use floor coverings and other methods of protecting your furnishings. For stainless steel liners, they will need to be cut to the proper size and installed inside the existing flue.

Call the Minneapolis chimney experts at 2^nd Generation if you have further questions or would like to schedule a chimney inspection and sweeping.

Tags: chimney, Minneapolis
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Everyone Needs a Good Chimney Sweep!

Friday, January 11th, 2013

Let the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys take care of you. We are professionals in the field and are here to make sure your chimney is clean and safe for use. We care about our community and that includes you! If you’ve noticed build up, or extra smoke in your chimney, now is the time to call. It is important to set up a regular chimney sweep to ensure the proper function and safety of your chimney. The Pixley family is at your service, so give us a call today! 1-888-PIXLEYS

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Why Do I Need an Inspection for an Insurance Claim?

Monday, January 7th, 2013

Enjoying a fire in the fireplace in your living room is one of the most soothing, enjoyable experiences available in your Minneapolis home. However, certain precautions must be made to ensure that your fireplace is safe to operate. Make sure that you can use your fireplace safely and with confidence by calling 2^nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. today.

At 2^nd Generation Chimneys we work hard to guarantee that our clients’ fireplaces and chimneys are as safe and efficient as possible. It is up to you, though, to call us and schedule the services you need for your chimney. In addition to keeping your chimney clean and safe our inspection services may also be necessary when you need to file an insurance claim.

Sometimes a chimney fire or other occurrences will lead to damage in your chimney, and that damage will require professional repair services. Most homeowners will find that their insurance covers these damages. However, you need the help of a qualified chimney service technician to ensure that your insurance claim process goes as smoothly as possible.

An expert on our team will document any damage that your chimney has incurred as well as the date that it was first discovered. The circumstances of the discovery will also be documented. Usually this occurs during routine chimney maintenance service, making this situation just one more reason to keep up to date with chimney maintenance.

While damages from chimney fires or lightning strikes may be covered by your insurance it is less likely that problems including general wear and tear or clogs will be covered. Issues stemming from poor maintenance practices will not be covered by your insurance company. Make sure that you do not wind up with damages to the chimney in your home due to a lack of regular, professional maintenance.

Whether you are concerned about the operation of your chimney, safety or insurance issues, professional chimney maintenance service is a must. There is no better way to protect your Minneapolis home from damage and dangerous situations stemming from your chimney. Contact 2^nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. to learn more.

Tags: Chimney Inspection, Minneapolis
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