Serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the Surrounding Communities
A little snow doesn’t stop the 2nd Generation Chimneys team from getting your chimney cleaned! No matter the season, our crew is ready to work. We have a team of experts that will thoroughly inspect and clean your chimney, as well as offer any additional repair services needed. It is our goal to keep your family safe and warm all winter long.
Our crew at 2nd Generation Chimneys is trained to detect and protect your family from fire hazards in your chimney, such as replacing 
your chimney lining. Non-combustible material is used in the liners we install to protect your home from combustible gas and smoke that can damage or start fires in your chimney. Give us a call today to find out how we can restore your chimney to safe working order with a new liner or other repair. We are here to serve you in St. Paul and the entire Twin Cities area!
The Pixley family does it all! We clean, sweep, inspect, install, and of course repair chimney’s and fireplaces. If your chimney is beginning to fall apart from age or other unforeseen damage, give 2nd Generation Chimneys a call to get it fixed! Our team is equipped with the skills and tools to take care of all your chimney needs.
With your chimney being out of commission during the hot summer months, now is the best time to get any repairs or inspections taken care of. David Pixley of 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. (not to be confused with Jack Pixley Sweeps), has an expert crew ready to serve you. Inspections and repairs are critical to the safety and function of your chimney come those winter months when you need to keep your family warm. Give us a call today!
The Pixley family name has been around for generations when it comes to your Chimney Repair, Chimney Cleaning, and Maintenance needs. David Pixley began his expertise with his fathers old business, Jack Pixley Sweeps. Now the proud owner of 2nd Generation Chimneys, David Pixley and his crew are here to help you with all your Chimney needs, including your Insurance Claims! Making an insurance claim can be time consuming and stressful and 2nd Generation Chimney’s is here to ensure a smooth process and a high quality repair so that your family stays safe. Give us a call today to get your Chimney inspected for fire safety. If you already are filing an insurance claim, be sure to give the Pixley family a call and we will guide you through the process!
When it comes to quality Chimney Relining, the Pixley family name has been around for generations and remains the name to trust for all your Chimney cleaning, repair, and inspection needs. David Pixley, owner of 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. will ensure the highest quality craftsmanship on your Chimney Relining job. Give us a call today and let the Pixley’s take care of your Chimney needs! See the difference in quality here:
If you have experienced a chimney fire, then let the Pixley family make the restoration process as easy as possible. David Pixley of 2nd Generation Chimneys is committed to excellence in every aspect of your experience. Unplanned restoration is never convenient, so at the very least you deserve to have peace of mind when it comes to the repair and restoration of your chimney as well as the financial burden. 2nd Generation is here to help! Let the Pixley’s walk you through the process of your insurance claim and get your chimney back in order as soon as possible. Call us today!
Checking for cracks on the exterior of your chimney is something that any Plymouth homeowner can and should do. Depending on the size of the crack and the potential soot around it anyone can determine if chimney repairs are needed. Here are a few characteristics of chimneys in need of inspections, and ways you can prevent future damages.
One of the primary steps contractors and homeowners should know to take is leaving space between the chimney flue and the brick exterior. This space needs to be present because of the heat expansion that occurs within the chimney while it is being used. Without this additional space the chimney flue will expand and crack the brick exterior, which will lead to potential smoke leakage and further chimney damage.
Chimneys must be made to withstand some amount of movement, especially in towns that are known to have seismic activity. Contractors should also be particularly careful of the soil that the place the chimney on, so that the foundation of the chimney is not resting on unsecure ground. If your chimney does experience some movement it is important for homeowners to check the mortar joints, or the area where the chimney protrudes out of the roof, for gaps between the roof and the chimney.
One quick way homeowners can avoid any chimney sealing and resurfacing issues is by installing a chimney damper or cap. During the colder months, if water travels down your chimney, and freezes, there is a good chance that the expansion of water to ice will crack your brick mortar exterior. Right now 2nd Generation Chimneys is offering a discount on chimney inspections and cleanings when homeowners purchase a chimney damper. By taking advantage of this deal people will be able to save money on their heating bills by restricting air flow through their chimney, reduce water from entering their chimney, and receive a discounted chimney inspection.
To learn more about ways to reduce chimney cracks, and increase chimney efficiency please call 2nd Generation Chimneys today.
Scaffolding setup is the first step to a smooth Chimney Inspection and Repair. Check out this video to watch the 2nd Generation Chimneys experts at work!
In Minneapolis there are a lot of myths about water repellants and when they are useful or not useful for a chimney. The truth is that almost all chimneys should have some sort of chimney sealant and resurfacing applied to them to avoid easily preventable water damage that can not only destroy the chimney face but pose a danger to you and your family.
What Water Repellant Does
Water repellant is used to seal up the masonry on the outside of your chimney. This is necessary because of the constant freeze and thaw cycles that a chimney goes through each winter. Water is absorbed by the mortar and bricks and then freezes in cold temperatures. This weakens the bricks and when it thaws, the bricks crumble or break free. It might take months or even years, but eventually extensive chimney repairs will be needed.
A properly selected water repellant stops this from happening by blocking up to 99% of the moisture that enters the mortar joints and bricks and keeping the chimney dry both inside and out.
The Problem with Some Water Repellants
The problem and the reason many people are hesitant to use water repellants is that they can also trap water inside the chimney if the wrong ones are applied. Sealers that form a film on the masonry, bond to the masonry or don’t allow enough air to breathe through the masonry risk sealing moisture inside the chimney and causing even more damage.
The right ones will penetrate deep into the chimney and bond with the masonry on a chemical level, blocking moisture without blocking everything, thereby stopping water from entering and leaving.
Water Repellants are Important
Chimneys will be subjected to all forms of weather – from rain to snow to sleet and wind – and that means they will deteriorate over time if not treated. To give your chimney the protection it needs and reduce the need for repairs, make sure you have someone you trust use the right kind of water repellant for your chimney.  Call 2nd Generation Chimneys with any questions.