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

Spring is the Best Time for a Sweeping!

Monday, May 13th, 2019

Spring has sprung! The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing, and homeowners all across the country are starting their spring cleaning extravaganza! Now is the perfect time to clean out your garage, sort through your summer clothes, and get rid of the stockpile nick-nacks that have accumulated in your home. Oh, and don’t forget! Now is the perfect time to schedule your chimney sweeping services!

If you haven’t already, be sure to schedule your chimney cleaning in Minneapolis as soon as possible! Spring is the perfect time to invest in these services, and if you keep reading below, we will explain why! So, what are you waiting for?

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Your Warm Weather Chimney Repair Check List

Monday, April 15th, 2019

Spring is finally here, which means that summer is right around the corner. Of course, that means that now is the perfect time to whip out a pen and notepad to create a checklist of all the things that need to be done before summer officially arrives. Your checklist might include items like stocking up on sunscreen, buying a new bathing suit, and oddly enough, taking care of any outstanding chimney repairs. Yes, that’s right: summer is the perfect time to repair your chimney.

Summer is the perfect time to schedule your chimney inspection and chimney repair in Minneapolis, MN to ensure that your home has an extra layer of protection. Repairing your chimney now can help protect your home from water leaks throughout the year, ensuring that you won’t be spending hundreds of dollars to repair water damage and eliminate mold. There are plenty of common summertime chimney repairs, and below, we have listed a few of them. Keep reading to find out more about what you can do! 

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Is Your Chimney Ready for Summer?

Monday, April 1st, 2019

Summer is right around the corner, which means that is time to start thinking about all the ways to prepare! Of course, when temperatures rise, the need to use your fireplace is certainly less likely, so do you really have to worry about your chimney? Well, the answer to that question is a resounding “yes.”

Spring and summer are perhaps the best times to schedule a chimney inspection and tune-up. By scheduling these services, you can prevent a number of potential issues that can occur anytime throughout the year, especially those that may arise in the winter.  There are many reasons as to why your chimney might not be safe for summer yet, and below, we have listed these reasons. Keep reading to learn more about why you should schedule your chimney services now! 

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Here’s Why You Need to Fix That Broken Fireplace Damper ASAP

Monday, March 4th, 2019

Now that we are in the midst of the winter season, it is a good time to think about any fireplace repairs that have to be made. We still have a couple more months of cold weather ahead of us before we can enjoy some warmth, so any repairs that need to be made now, should. Of course, when it comes to your fireplace, safety is a priority, so it is best to contact a professional right away if you notice any signs of an issue.

A broken fireplace damper needs to be repaired as soon as possible. If it is sealed shut, smoke can quickly back up into your home. When it is working properly, the damper should be able to open and close when you need it to, however, sometimes it can get stuck in either position. If this happens, you need to hire a professional fireplace technician right away to address the problem. In case you aren’t yet convinced, we have listed a number of reasons why you need to repair that faulty damper now. Keep reading below to learn more. 

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Cold Air? It Might Be Time for Chimney Restoration

Monday, February 18th, 2019

chimney-masonry-worn-brickIt’s February in Minnesota, which means winter isn’t letting up anytime soon. With the extreme weather we’ve been having in the Midwest lately, it’s no secret that our fireplaces have been used quite a bit. Of course, during this time of year, we expect our fireplaces to be efficient and effective, so what happens when cold air starts to seep through your chimney and directly into your home?

If your chimney is old or worn out, it is likely time for chimney repair in St. Paul, MN. More specifically though, we are talking about chimney restoration. Chimneys, although built to withstand stress, sometimes need restoration work. It is important for homeowners to be aware of the signs that suggest it is time for chimney restoration, so below, we have outlined a few of them. Keep reading below to learn more. 

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Do You Have a Leaky Chimney?

Monday, December 24th, 2018

Water entering your home is certainly a cause for alarm. Inclement weather can make our homes especially susceptible to leaks and water damage. Most homeowners are unaware that their chimneys can be a potential site of a leak in their homes. Your chimney receives exposure to the elements: wind, rain, snow, sleet, etc. Winters here in Minnesota are especially brutal, so in this part of the country, your chimney is more susceptible to damage. Water entering through leaks in a chimney will freeze during the winter, and as the water expands when it turns into ice, it will cause even larger cracks.

A leaky chimney could spell significant damage to your home and property and leave your chimney vulnerable to further damage. It is important that you contact a chimney professional right away to seal up any leaks that might exist. Sometimes a chimney leak can be difficult to spot, so below, we’ve provided you with some of the signs that indicate your chimney is leaking.

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What You Must Know About Creosote

Monday, October 15th, 2018

chimney-fire-top-bottomFireplaces are safe to use, provided that you use them right. That means more than being careful when building up your fire, stoking it, and cleaning out the hearth. It also means having your chimney cleaned regularly by trained, qualified professionals. Why? Because if you ignore this vital service long enough, it’s not just the performance of your fireplace that will suffer. It could also very well be your safety. We are not just saying this to alarm you.

We are going to talk a bit about creosote today, so that you understand what it is, why it builds up, and why you need to have it cleaned out of your chimney. Failure to do so can put you and your family in a dangerous situation, and it won’t be the fault of the fireplace. It will be user error, if not total negligence. So read on, contact us with any questions that you may have, and remember that you can count on our team for great chimney cleaning services in Minneapolis, MN.

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Now Is a Good Time for That Chimney Inspection!

Monday, September 17th, 2018

vanYou do not need us to remind you that the biting cold of the winter season is coming.

Nonetheless, we want to remind you that the biting cold of the winter season is coming! 

If you are anything like the rest of our clients, then you are eager to start firing up the, well, fires in your fireplace. And you certainly do not need to wait for winter to officially start before doing so.

You do, however, need to wait until you’ve had your chimney inspected before doing so.

Now, we know what you may be thinking.

Hey, I’m lookin’ right at my chimney—and it looks fine!

We don’t really want to remind you that looks can be deceiving.

Nonetheless, we want to remind you that looks can be deceiving! 

You need to have your chimney swept out every year, and a level 1 chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN should always be a part of that service. However, there is really more to chimney inspection to this.

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Animals Will Seek Shelter in Chimneys This Winter!

Monday, September 3rd, 2018

chimneyThere is a lot to love about winter, from snowshoeing and ice fishing to skiing trips and snowmobiling. It really can be a very fun time of the year for the outdoorsmen and women among us. Even the most rugged individuals, however, and even those with the best gear on the market, look forward to coming home to a warm, comfortable environment at the end of the day. The critters outside are not all that different in this regard.

Of course, it can be more difficult for those critters to find warm, comfortable shelter—unless, that is, your chimney is available! Now, we know that there are a lot of animal lovers out there, and we don’t want to think about those cute little fellas being stuck outside in extreme cold. But you also really don’t want them setting up shop in your chimney, either. That is why you want to schedule your animal removal services in Minneapolis, MN with our team.

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Signs That Your Chimney Is in Trouble!

Monday, July 23rd, 2018

thumbs-upIn the age of not only combustion boilers and furnaces but also modern technology like heat pumps and ductless mini splits, there are undoubtedly those individuals that look upon the old-fashioned fireplace/chimney combo as being a relic from the past. Those of us fortunate enough to have a well-designed and properly maintained fireplace/chimney setup, however, know different. Not only is the heat generated comforting, but the ambiance is incredibly relaxing.

Of course, that roaring fire is going to be a lot more difficult to enjoy if your chimney is not in great working condition. Even worse, you may not be able to use your fireplace safely if it is not functioning properly! The last thing that you want to do is to put your safety—and that of your family—at risk when simply trying to use the fireplace in your home. So read on, learn about some warning signs that may mean you need chimney repair in St. Paul, MN, and give us a call with any concerns that you may have.  

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