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

Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair

Friday, February 27th, 2015

You can’t have a safe or effective fire in your home’s fireplace without a safe, effective chimney. As such, if you are a homeowner who uses your fireplace, whether for a simple, occasional fire or for every day heat, it’s important to be aware of the signs that your chimney may need repair. It’s just as important to hire experts to repair your chimney should it need repair. The fireplace and chimney experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., bring two generations’ worth of experience and expertise to every job we do, so if you have fireplace needs, including repair, call us today!

Chimney Repair Signs

Here are some items to be aware of when it comes to chimney repair:

  • Crumbling mortar – mortar is the cement or other binding substance that holds the stones or bricks of your chimney and fireplace together. If you can see that the mortar is crumbling, or can physically crumble it with your fingers, there is likely a moisture problem with your chimney. Crumbling mortar can lead to loose masonry, which can be very dangerous for your chimney.
  • Loose flue tiles – loose flue tiles, also known as shaling, occurs when you find tiles that are specially-designed for the top of your flue in the lower parts of your chimney or even in the firebox. These tiles are very important for the safety of your chimney and need to be replaced before your next use.
  • White powder on masonry – bricks sometimes develop a white, powdery substance on their surface that can be easily brushed off. Many people take this as normal, but it isn’t. That white powder is there because moisture that has gotten inside the brick and pushed the salt of the brick to the surface. There is a name to this phenomenon, and it is called Moisture isn’t good for any kind of masonry, so if you are seeing efflorescence, it’s time to call for an expert.

Whether you use your fireplace for occasional ambience or every day for additional heat, your chimney needs to be safe and effective.

If you are seeing the signs that your chimney in Roseville needs repair, Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Repairs | Comments Off on Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair

What Are Chimney Fires?

Tuesday, August 19th, 2014

Although you expect to have fires blazing inside your fireplace, you don’t want those flames to go any farther than the hearth. You may think that a fire moving up into a chimney isn’t necessarily a problem, but a chimney fire like this can be extremely destructive and require that you have special repair work done to avoid causing a house fire.

2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. is a full-service chimney and fireplace company with the training and certification necessary to handle any chimney restoration in Wayzata, MN that you may need. If you believe you’ve experienced a chimney fire, call our technicians right away for an inspection.

Chimney fires and their dangers

Conventional wisdom holds that chimneys are essentially invincible and maintenance-free. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If a chimney becomes dirty and filled with creosote, the trouble it has venting can cause a chimney fire to break out: an intense fire that ignites the combustible material collected inside the flue. Chimney fires can be extremely loud and create cracking, popping, and rumbling sounds—sometimes even audible from outside a home! But they can also go undetected if they are slow-burning. Either kind of chimney fire is destructive: they can reach 2000°F, enough to cause severe damage to any material inside the chimney.

These high temperatures are enough to cause mortar to melt, tiles to crack, and liners to collapse. This will lead to a dangerous situation, since it will permit the heat that vents through the chimney to escape to the building material surrounding it. A damaged chimney can cause a fire to start on the second floor of a home or up on the roof.

Watch for the following signs that can warn you a chimney fire has broken out: excess creosote, a warped metal damper, fallen tiles, a discolored rain cap, damaged roofing material, cracks on the outside masonry, and marks of smoke escaping through mortar joints and tiles.

If you think you have experienced a chimney fire in your home, you should schedule a Level 2 chimney inspection from a technician certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). This thorough inspection will determine what repairs and restoration work are necessary. In most cases, the fireplace restorationists will need to replace the chimney liner to ensure that heat cannot escape through broken tiles and clay liners to reach the combustible material outside.

You can have all your chimney problems taken care of through one contractor: 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. We are certified with the CSIA and can take care of all your needs for repairs and chimney restoration in Wayzata, MN.

Call us today to set up an appointment, and keep us in mind for your regular inspections and chimney sweeping that will help you avoid chimney fires in the future.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Chimney Repairs | Comments Off on What Are Chimney Fires?

What to Do if You Spot Cracks in Your Chimney

Friday, May 9th, 2014

One the eeriest sights you can see is to come across a wilderness spot where a town stood many years ago. The homes will have long rotted or burned away, but the tall brick and masonry chimneys continue to stand, making a forest of stacks marking the spots where people once lived. This is evidence of the durability of a well-constructed chimney.

However… chimneys are not invincible. Although the brick and masonry may keep the chimney standing upright, the combination of heat and moisture they often encounter—especially in a place with cold and snowy winters like Minnesota—can lead to cracking along the chimney interior. We’ll look into what you should do if you encounter this in your home’s chimney. Our maintenance program is also a great way to spot issues such as cracks in your chimney.

When you know it’s time for chimney repair in Minneapolis, MN, call the experienced and CSIA-certified team at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.

What you need to do when you see cracks in your chimney

First of all, do not use the fireplace. Until the issue is resolved, you can cause serious damage to your home if you light the fireplace. Cracks in the chimney liner will allow heat from the fire to escape to combustible material outside, possibly igniting a blaze. Stay safe and keep the hearth cold for the time being.

Next, you need to call for chimney repairs from certified chimney re-liners who also offer masonry services. Fixing cracks in chimneys isn’t a simple task that involves a layer of plaster. Fireplace repair technicians with the proper training and certification from the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) and as professional chimney re-liners will tackle the job of restoring your chimney with repairs that will last.

The chimney re-liner is responsible for protecting the rest of the chimney and the materials outside it. If the liner has suffered too much damage, technicians can reline it. Other ways of repairing cracks include sealing and resurfacing, which will help waterproof the chimney to avoid more cracks in the future. (The most common cause for cracking is when moisture enters the bricks, then freezes and expands.) Skilled repair technicians will use tuck-pointing masonry repair to fix cracks while matching the original surface texture.

What you should not do when you see cracks in your chimney

You should never ignore a chimney crack—or any damage to a fireplace. Although chimneys are sturdy, they must remain in top shape to prevent them from allowing the escape of heat or blocking proper ventilation out of the flue.

The best work you can find for chimney repair in Minneapolis, MN will come from contractors with the proper experience and certification.

2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. has a staff of Certified Chimney Reliners with CSIA certification, so you know you’ll receive the finest quality repair work.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Chimney Repairs | Comments Off on What to Do if You Spot Cracks in Your Chimney

Is a Leaning Chimney a Serious Problem?

Sunday, January 12th, 2014

A chimney leaning away from the house, slanted at an odd angle, is an image pulled from a Victorian storybook or a Gothic movie. It’s stylish and strange. But, you don’t want that happening to your chimney. Not only does it put the whole appearance of your house off-kilter, it can pose other problems for you.

But how serious is it? If the chimney only leans a bit and seems in no danger of immediately crumbling and taking out a wall, are there any urgent reasons to repair it aside from cosmetic ones?

Yes, there are. In this post we’ll explain why you need to call immediately for masonry services in St. Paul, MN when you have a chimney that’s turning into the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., where we offer masonry services that will take care of the problem for you.

The dangers of leaning chimneys

The usual leaning chimney is one that appears to be separating away from the side of the house. Even if it seems like the chimney isn’t about to topple over (sometimes the lean can look almost like an optical illusion), this tilt puts tremendous strain on the construction material of your home, and over time can cause significant structural damage. Just because the lean looks small doesn’t mean that it isn’t putting enormous stress on the material around it: most chimneys weigh many tons, and your home’s frame was not built to stand this level of pressure. Masonry repairs to shore up the foundation of the chimney will eliminate this problem.

There’s also the danger of toppling bricks. The tilt can start to dislodge bricks which will crash onto your house, and possibly right through your roof. This is obviously something you never want to happen, and masons can make sure your bricks are all still mortared in tightly after straightening the chimney.

The pressure from the lean can do significant damage to the interior lining of a chimney. The lining is responsible for helping to safely vent exhaust from the fireplace. Breaks in the liner can cause combustion gases to enter your home, and also leads to a major fire hazards.

Call for chimney masonry services

Even if the lean only seems minor, if you notice your chimney starting to tilt you need to have the problem dealt with immediately: there are too many potential dangerous outcomes. Call for masonry service in St. Paul, MN for your leaning chimney. At 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., we provide full services for all kinds of fireplaces and chimneys, and we can help you straighten up your home.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Chimney Repairs | Comments Off on Is a Leaning Chimney a Serious Problem?

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.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Chimney Repairs | Comments Off on Fixing Your Chimney – Insurance Claims

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.

Continue Reading

Posted in Chimney Repairs | Comments Off on Chimney Safety List: When is it time for Repair?

Small Repairs now Save Money in the Long Run

Friday, June 28th, 2013

We know the weather doesn’t always cooperate year round in St. Paul, MN, even during the summer. But at 2nd Generation Chimneys, staying on track and doing the job right is our top priority. Our certified and experienced technicians provide outstanding customer service and work hard to meet our deadlines despite the summer showers. Whether your chimney requires a minor repair, masonry repairs, or a partial replacement, you can rely on us to get your chimney in top shape for this winter.

St. Paul’s extreme weather conditions make chimneys susceptible to structural wear and potential long term damage to the chimney’s lining from extensive use. Repairs such as chimney relining and sealing are more cost-effective than having to replace the entire chimney. Keep in mind that routine inspections and annual cleanings can help catch little cracks or other problems early to prevent extensive damage and costly repairs.

To request an estimate or to schedule service, call 2nd Generation Chimneys today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Repair, Chimney Repairs, Chimney Sealant and Resurfacing | Comments Off on Small Repairs now Save Money in the Long Run

St. Paul Chimney: How Is Chimney Relining Done?

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Chimneys are very rugged and durable components of your home. They can sometimes withstand a fire and, in some cases, may last up to 100 years or more. However, they can still start to develop cracks, holes or leaks. Sometimes this is cause by water damage or just by old age. That’s why it’s often necessary to reline a chimney. This has huge benefits for homeowners and can help make your chimney more efficient and safer. At 2nd Generation Chimneys, we have many years of experience working with all different kinds of chimney and chimney problems. We offer total chimney relining and St. Paul masonry services. We wanted to help our customers understand exactly what happens during the chimney relining process and why it might be a good idea to consider getting their chimney relined.

How to Tell If You Need Chimney Relining in St. Paul MN

One of the first things you should know is how to tell if your chimney liner is damaged and needs to be replaced. If your chimney isn’t pulling smoke out or if you have a smelly fireplace it is likely an indication that you need chimney relining. These symptoms are caused by holes or soot and creosote build-up in the chimney and must be repaired before the fireplace is used. Also, if you start to notice pieces of clay or tile collecting in your fireplace it usually means that the clay tile liner is being eaten away from a corrosive combination of sulfur and moisture.

Types of Chimney Liner Materials

  • Clay tiles – This chimney liner is very common because it is cheap and can be found almost anywhere. This is a good option for many homeowners but it does have its drawbacks. Check with the technicians at 2nd Generation Chimney about if clay tiles are right for you.
  • Metal liner – These types of liners are normally made out of stainless steel. Stainless steel liners can be used with wood stoves as well as gas or oil-burning appliances. Metal liners normally require insulation around them to protect your home from the heat of the fire.
  • Cast-in place – This is a very interesting type of chimney relining process. It involves pouring slurry down into your chimney around a mold that will hold it in place against the inside of your chimney. It creates a brand new liner made out of a cement-like product. This is ideal for chimneys that have suffered damage because it will act as support.

For all your St. Paul masonry cervices and chimney relining contact the friendly experts at 2nd Generation Chimney.

Continue Reading

Posted in Chimney, Chimney Liner, Chimney Repairs | Comments Off on St. Paul Chimney: How Is Chimney Relining Done?

Chimney Repair – Done the Old Fashioned Way

Friday, February 22nd, 2013

Even with as much technology as we have access to these days, sometimes we still have to get down and dirty and “dive in” to a job. In this case, our technician is climbing into the chimney to finish tiling for a chimney repair job. We stop at nothing to ensure our work is done right! From inspection, to cleaning, to repair and installation, 2nd Generation Chimneys is know for our expertise and craftsmanship in all that we do. Give us a call today!

Continue Reading

Tags:
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Cleaning, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Repair, Chimney Repairs, Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning | Comments Off on Chimney Repair – Done the Old Fashioned Way

Scaffolding Done Right for Chimney Repairs

Friday, February 8th, 2013

What separates us 2nd Generation Chimneys from the other guys? Experience! This video offers terrific perspective for what correctly installed chimney scaffolding should look like. Proper scaffolding ensures that we can clean, inspect or repair your chimney efficiently and safely.

Give 2nd Generation Chimneys a call today to set up an estimate for a chimney clean, repair, or inspection. Your safety and comfort is our top priority!

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Cleaning, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Repair, Chimney Repairs, Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning | Comments Off on Scaffolding Done Right for Chimney Repairs