2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog : Archive for November, 2015

White Deposits around the Chimney: Is Efflorescence a Big Deal?

Monday, November 30th, 2015

If you’ve noticed a crystallized white substance or a whitish (or even brown, yellow, or green) powder around your chimney, you’re not alone. This is a common experience for homeowners with masonry chimneys, especially very old ones. And the substance itself can generally clear away just by brushing it, or it may even clear away on its own as the weather changes.

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Is a Wood Stove the Best Choice for Your Home Comfort?

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015

While many homes in cold climates are constructed with a built-in fireplace, others don’t have this benefit. Although you may be able to retrofit a firebox into a home, or repair a deteriorating chimney, a wood stove might be the better choice for many homes. Wood stoves, which are freestanding units that have a flue to vent smoke and gases to the outdoors, may use firewood or wood pellets to create heat, providing the warmth and coziness for a single room that many people crave during a cold winter night. But is a wood stove right for you?

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4 Reasons You’re Having Trouble with Your Fireplace

Monday, November 23rd, 2015

Does smoke fill the room when you try to start a fire in your fireplace? Do you end up using a lot of firewood without the heat output you expected? Have these issues forced you to eliminate the use of your chimney and fireplace altogether in the winter?

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Install an Energy Efficient Top-Mounted Damper!

Monday, November 16th, 2015

Relaxing by a fireplace is an excellent way to unwind at the end of a long day. But you certainly don’t need your fireplace to heat you up at all times of the day. When you turn on your whole-home heating system to an ideal temperature during the daytime, you don’t have to keep the fireplace going. In fact, you need the fireplace to be well-sealed if you want to prevent heat from escaping out the chimney.

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Choosing an Eco-Friendly Fireplace or Stove

Monday, November 9th, 2015

You want a fireplace or stove that will keep you cozy and warm, but you also want to do your part in helping out the environment. The new fireplace or stove that you choose will depend largely on your budget and the setup of your home and your chimney. But to help you choose the perfect heating system for your home, we offer a general comparison of some of the most common types of eco-friendly stoves and fireplaces, so that you can do your best to make a responsible choice!

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3 Hidden Dangers That May Be in Your Chimney

Monday, November 2nd, 2015

Heating systems and chimneys are one of the main sources of home fires in the U.S. Keeping a chimney clean and well-maintained is one of the most important things you can do for your home safety and for your health. Still not convinced? Check out a few of the hidden dangers commonly found in chimneys and fireplaces, and learn why it’s so important to have your chimney inspected and cleaned each and every year.

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