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

Fixing Your Chimney – Insurance Claims

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys, we have years of experience working with all different kinds of chimney issues and we wanted to help out our customers who may be experiencing some chimney problems and have questions about insurance claims. Obviously, you will have to consult with your particular insurer, but heck out our short guide below. If you need any Minneapolis chimney repair just give us a call and we’ll be able to get your chimney working again quickly.

Minneapolis Chimney Repair: Insurance

If you’re a homeowner then you almost certainly have homeowner’s insurance. In most cases, your insurance will cover the cost of repair if the repair is sudden as opposed to simple old age. Things like damage from a fallen tree and leaking flashing are what your insurance is there to cover. Again, you’ll have to check with your particular insurance company to see if the damage to your chimney is covered.

However, depending on your deductible, it might actually be a good idea to just pay for the repair yourself. If the cost of the repair is low enough, you could consider paying for it yourself instead of submitting a claim to your insurance. The reason for this is because if you start submitting a lot of insurance claims you might risk getting dropping from your insurance.

But don’t wait to call for repair. Regardless of whether or not you’re going to submit your repair receipts, you should call immediately for Minneapolis chimney repair. This will help you get your chimney back up and running quickly so that you can enjoy your fireplace. Once you call your chimney repair contractor and they perform the repair, make sure that you save your receipts so that you can submit them to your insurance company if you choose to.

When you need any kind of Minneapolis chimney repair just call the specialists at 2nd Generation Chimneys. Whether your chimney is leaking water or if it has any cracks just give us a call and we’ll be able to get your chimney back up and running quickly.

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What Will My Chimney Sweeps Actually Remove from My Chimney?

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

Few home heating methods are both as effective and as aesthetically pleasing as lighting a roaring fire in the fireplace. However, operating a fireplace necessitates special measures that must be taken in order to keep your home safe. A professional chimney sweep must be hired to regularly sweep, clean and inspect your chimney to ensure the safe, effective operation of your chimney. There are a number of different materials and substances that your chimney sweep may find in your chimney, and any issues with such materials must be resolved professionally. Here are a few examples of what your chimney sweep may actually remove from your chimney. If you have any further questions, contact the Minneapolis Chimney Sweeping professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys.

Animal infestations are not entirely uncommon in chimneys. During the offseason, critters will sometimes build nests within a residential chimney. This can create health concerns, ventilation problems, and lead to unpleasant odors. This is especially true if an animal gets trapped within the flue and dies, unable to remove itself from the situation when the chimney is put to work. Not only will our chimney sweeps remove any animals from within your chimney, but we can also offer our expertise and quality products to help prevent the problem from occurring again.

Creosote is what you really have to be worried about in your chimney. Creosote deposits are a natural byproduct of burning wood. If enough creosote is allowed to build up, due to a lack of professional chimney cleaning service, it is possible for it to ignite and catch fire. After enough time has passed, these buildups can reach a point where they are defined as level 3 creosote. This is very difficult to remove. It is thick enough that special techniques and, sometimes, even chemicals must be used to remove the buildup from your chimney.

The Minneapolis chimney sweeping technicians at 2nd Generation Chimneys are always happy to help you enjoy a great, safe performance from your chimney and fireplace. Call today to schedule professional chimney sweeping to ensure that this goal is met. We are always available to answer any questions you may have about the necessity of the chimney sweeping process.

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Chimney Safety List: When is it time for Repair?

Wednesday, July 17th, 2013

Chimneys are a great addition to homes as they add a lot of visual appeal. However, like any other component of your home they will eventually break down and need repair. But many homeowners have difficult recognizing the issues with their chimneys. Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys, we have years of experience offering Minneapolis chimney repair and we wanted to help our customers discern when their chimney is having problems. Read below and if you’re having any of these issues just give us a call.

Minneapolis Chimney Repair: How Can I Tell If I Need Them?

There are a few things that homeowners should look for that could indicate that you need Minneapolis chimney repair. Take a quick look and call us if you’re having any of them.

  • Draft – Your chimney and fireplace create a natural draft that pulls air up through the fireplace and then out the chimney. If you start to notice that smoke is coming into your home or if your fireplace isn’t drafting correctly, it likely means that you need Minneapolis chimney repair. This issue could be caused by blockage in the chimney or from a leak in the actual chimney itself.
  • Water – Where your chimney and roof meet is a vulnerable spot to water leaks. With proper installation, this junction will be sealed with metal flashing and some kind of sealant. But over time these things can break down and allow rain or melted snow to drip down into your fireplace. If see water dripping into your fireplace call for fireplace repair immediately.
  • Chimney cracks – Chimneys are typically very durable and some have been known to last for 100 years. But chimney cracks are something that can happen to any chimney. They are often caused by water freezing in the masonry and slowly forcing it open. But it could also be from overheating inside the chimney. As heat travels up your chimney, it will expand. But if your chimney wasn’t built correctly that expansion could also cause cracks.

When you need Minneapolis chimney repair make sure that you call the friendly professionals at 2nd Generation.

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How to Prevent Chimney Fires

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

Every homeowner is interested in St. Paul chimney fire prevention. No one wants to have any issues with their fireplace which is why making sure that you do everything you can to prevent a chimney is so important. Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys we offer complete services for chimneys of all different types. Here are a few things that you can do as a homeowner to make sure that you prevent chimney fires.

St. Paul Chimney Fire Prevention

Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys we have years of experience offering quality chimney services. Read on to see some of the things that you can do to prevent chimney fires.

  • Get regular chimney cleaning – One of the best things that you can do for your home’s chimney is to get it regularly cleaned and maintained. As you burn fuel in your fireplace, it will create creosote and soot which can build up in the chimney of your home.  The mixture of these two substances can heat up and eventually ignite. Creosote and soot are actually the two most common causes of chimney fires in the United States. During regular chimney cleaning visits, our technicians will remove as much of the creosote and soot build-up as possible.
  • Burn the right fuel in your fireplace – Certain types of fuel in your fireplace can create more creosote and soot build-up. For example, if you burn wood that is young or wet it will actually result in the creation of more creosote and more soot in your chimney. Make sure that if you have a wood-burning fireplace that you only burn wood that is dry.
  • Check draft – Make sure that before you burn fuel in your home check for draft. The draft is the flow of air out of the chimney that pulls smoke from the fireplace up and out. Make sure that you have good draft going up the chimney as this can indicate that your chimney is healthy and working well.
  • Protection around the fire – Another way to prevent chimney fires is outside of the chimney. In order to make sure that no sparks or embers get out you can place a protective grate around the fireplace.

If you have any questions about St. Paul chimney fire prevention make sure that you call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys.

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Happy 4th of July!

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

In the history of the United States, there are few days that hold such high importance as the 4th of July. We all remember baseball games, hot dogs, fireworks, ceremonies, patriotic music, and barbecues throughout the years as we’ve celebrated this special day. But we can quickly forget what our Independence Day is really about.

On this day in 1776, the second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence which was a written explanation of why America must be free from Great Britain. The legal separation of the two countries actually occurred on July 2, but Americans have celebrated on the 4th because that was the date on the much-publicized Declaration.

So whether you go to a ball game, watch the fireworks with family, barbecue some burgers or hoist a cold one with your friends, make sure that you take a moment to remember the sacrifice that many women and men made over 200 years ago to ensure the freedom that we cherish today.

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