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

Happy Memorial Day!

Monday, May 27th, 2013

Memorial Day, which is observed on the final Monday of May every year, is an opportunity to honor and commemorate those military personnel who have fallen while serving their country. The day began in the aftermath of the American Civil War, when the country was damaged and in need of remembrance. Originally called Decoration Day, owing to the flowers that would decorate gravesites, its principal purpose has been to mourn those who have died during service; but it’s also a time to come together as a country and take stock of the way that our soldiers have shaped this country.

There is a national moment of silence and various events throughout the day. You may see volunteers putting flags up at your local cemetery or flowers decorating war memorials. It’s also a reprieve from our work schedule that should be enjoyed in tandem with remembrance. We wish you all the best this Memorial Day.

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How Is Minneapolis Chimney Relining Done?

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013

Here in Minnesota you likely use your chimney a lot. All that use can eventually cause problems for your chimney. One of the fastest and easiest ways to both repair cracks and also increase the efficiency of your chimney is to get it relined. Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys we have many years of experience relining all different types of chimneys. We often get asked about how the process actually gets done. We thought it would be a good idea to put together a quick explanation of how our experts perform Minneapolis chimney relining. Give us a call if you’re having any issues with your chimney.

Minneapolis Chimney Relining

There are a couple different methods for relining your chimney. The Minneapolis chimney relining experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys can work with you to figure out which method would be best. The fuel that you use for your fireplace will be a large determining factor in which type of chimney relining material we will use.

  • Clay tiles – Clay tiles are inexpensive and very common. They can be found almost anywhere and are a good option for many homeowners. The Minneapolis chimney relining professionals at 2nd Generation can help determine if this is the right route for your home.
  • Metal – Metal relining is another very common chimney relining material. Stainless steel is a good choice for some homeowners because it can be used with many different types of fireplaces.
  • Cast-in-place – This type of relining involves pouring cements into a mold inside your chimney. The mold forms the cement into a solid cylinder inside of your existing chimney. This is a great option if your chimney is damaged.

If you’ve started to have problems with your chimney just call the friendly Minneapolis chimney relining specialists at 2nd Generation Chimney. We have years of experience working with all different types of chimneys. We’ll be able to get yours back up and working again soon.

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Fireplace Repair in Minneapolis and St Paul

Friday, May 17th, 2013

If you have a fireplace in your home then you likely use it on a regular basis in order to stay comfortable and also to add ambiance to your home. All that use can really take a toll on your fireplace. If you’re having any issues with your unit call the Minneapolis fireplace repair professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys. We know how important it is for you to stay comfortable in your home which is why we thought it would be good to put together some of the more common fireplace repairs that we see.

Common Fireplace Repairs

Here at 2nd Generation Chimney we’ve responded to countless calls for Minneapolis fireplace repair. These are a few of the most common issues that we see.

  • Smokey fireplace – When you turn on your fireplace does it produce a lot of smoke? This is a common problem and can be caused by a number of different issues. One of the most common problems is a dirty chimney. If your chimney is dirty it could mean that the smoke isn’t able to efficiently exit. Also, this could also be caused by problems with your flue. The Minneapolis fireplace repair experts at 2nd Generation Chimney can get your system back up and working again soon.
  • Fireplace leaking water – If your fireplace is leaking water it could be a serious problem. This problem is often caused by water freezing in your chimney and then melting. Over time, it will cause the mortar and bricks to separate and allow rain or snow to get in.
  • Fireplace not lighting – If your fireplace isn’t lighting properly it could mean that your home isn’t comfortable. Call the Minneapolis fireplace repair professionals at 2nd Generation today.

No matter what type of fireplace you have or what kind of problem you’re having the experts at 2nd Generation Chimney can help. Give us a call today and one of our friendly technicians can get you back up running again fast.

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Minneapolis Chimney Cleaning FAQ: What Is that Black Stuff in My Chimney?

Monday, May 6th, 2013

When you enjoy the warmth, comfort, and pleasure of a fireplace, you need to make sure that it is in good shape year round. One of the most common question we hear from customers throughout our Minneapolis is concerning the black stuff in your chimney.  Creosote is the name for that tar-like substance that accumulates on the parts of your fireplace and chimney. It’s imperative that you have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis to keep your fireplace running smoothly. Let’s take a look at creosote. For superior Minneapolis chimney cleaning service, call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys today!

  • What is creosote? Creosote is that dark brown or black, and often foul-smelling substance that builds up in your chimney.  Its composed of unburned wood particles mixed with condensed flue gases. It is one of the major reasons to have your chimney cleaned. It is toxic and carcinogenic.
  • What causes it? Creosote is typically caused by three major things: incomplete combustion of firewood, cool surfaces within the chimney, and wet firewood. The latter cause is easy to avoid: use only seasoned dry hardwood to build your fires. Depending on your stove or fireplace, there are some things you can do to make sure that your fuel is combusting properly. Use small amounts of wood and stoke often to decrease smoke density in an airtight stove, and make sure you avoid constant smoldering. Burn your fire hot regularly.
  • So what? Our reason for alerting you to creosote is because it poses a potential hazard to the safety of your home. While creosote tends to affect wood stoves more than fireplaces because the former’s exhaust gases tend to be cooler, creosote is an issue in any wood-burning device. As creosote accumulates within the chimney, it can become thick and begin to close in on the draft opening. When such accumulations thicken enough, they can actually ignite; chimney fires can disturb the masonry or metal chimney, but they can also lead to house fires when the framing heats up enough.

We hope this gives you some idea about creosote. For comprehensive Minneapolis chimney cleaning, call 2nd Generation Chimneys today! 

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