2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Minneapolis’

Common Misunderstandings People Have About Chimney Sweeping

Monday, June 5th, 2023

Most people’s ideas of chimney sweeping come straight from Mary Poppins. That’s definitely a romantic image, and it does reflect something of what this job was like in the Victorian era, when combustion fires were used everywhere and had such efficiency problems that cleaning was an almost continual job.

Chimney sweeping is still necessary today for homes with fireplaces, but unfortunately most people have a limited understanding of the job, how it’s done, why it’s done, and when it needs to be done.

We’re long-time experts when it comes to chimney sweeping in Minneapolis, MN, and we’d like to go through some of the common misunderstandings people have about this job.

Tags: chimney cleaning, Minneapolis
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What Is a Level 3 Chimney Inspection and When Do I Need One?

Monday, May 22nd, 2023

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In our previous blog, we discussed when you need a chimney inspection and the three different levels of inspection. These levels are established by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and are standardized to ensure that homeowners receive the inspections necessary for the situation and to protect their households.

When you’re looking to have a chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN, you’ll probably only need a Level 1 inspection, which is the standard inspection for a chimney that hasn’t experienced any major problems and is receiving regular use. It consists of inspections of all accessible parts of the chimney to look for cracks, creosote, and structural damage—anything that might trigger a repair need or a higher level of inspection.

In this post, we’re going to look at the highest level of inspection, Level 3, because people want to know more about how in-depth it goes and why it’s often necessary.

Tags: Chimney Inspection, Minneapolis
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When to Get a Chimney Inspection

Monday, May 8th, 2023

Many important organizations, including the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Fire Protection Association recommend regular chimney inspections to protect homes and the people in them.

You can’t do a chimney inspection on your own. There are many parts you can’t see unless you have special access and equipment. When you decide to have a chimney inspection in Saint Paul, we’re the professionals to call on for the job.

But when should you have the job done? There are several situations where we recommend you schedule a chimney inspection.

Tags: Chimney Inspection, Minneapolis
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How to Tell If Your Need a Chimney Restoration

Monday, April 24th, 2023

Restoring a chimney may sound like a large job. Chimneys are usually made of brick and mortar, and doing an extensive restoration requires specialists with the right tools. But sometimes restoration is necessary to keep the chimney in proper shape so that it doesn’t become a possible danger to your house. If a chimney is deteriorating with age or neglect it can cause exhaust gases to enter the home, heat to escape the chimney and trigger fires, and even the chimney collapsing and taking part of the house with it.

We’re experts when it comes to chimney restoration in Minneapolis, MN. We’ve done this job since 2001, and we are one of the largest and most experienced chimney service companies in the country. If you need your chimney restored, you can trust our team for exceptional work.

But how can you tell you have a chimney that needs restoration? We’ll look over six of the signs.

Tags: Chimney Inspection, Chimney Restoration, Minneapolis
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What to Expect From a Chimney Inspection

Monday, March 27th, 2023

We often recommend that customers call us for a chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN in the fall, before the winter arrives and the fireplace sees extensive use.

However, if you didn’t arrange for a chimney inspection before the winter, it isn’t too late to have it done. This isn’t a service you need to “catch” in time or just forget about—it’s vital you have your home’s chimney inspected by professionals annually. This helps to keep your fireplace and chimney safe, energy efficient, and working the way it should.

What happens when our experts come to your home for a chimney inspection? We’ll go over what you can expect.

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Why Chimney Cleaning Helps Keep You Safe

Monday, March 13th, 2023

Your chimney is supposed to provide a one-way exit route for the combustion gases and soot created by a fire in your fireplace. Your chimney may not be able to do this effectively if it’s dirty.

It may feel silly to think of a dirty chimney being a bad thing but it’s true. Over time, especially after a season of heavy use, your chimney flue may become so caked with debris that it starts to do the opposite of what it should. That’s why regular upkeep of your entire fireplace and chimney system is so important.

Let’s discuss the negative impact of a dirty chimney so you know if and when to schedule a chimney cleaning in Minneapolis, MN with our team.

Tags: chimney cleaning, Minneapolis
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A Tilting Chimney Isn’t Picturesque, It’s a Problem

Monday, January 16th, 2023

We’ve all seen those pretty paintings of cottages with thatched roofs and brick chimneys with a slight tilt to them. In those pictures, things look picturesque and peaceful and they very well may be. Part of that peacefulness comes with a problem though.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking a tilting chimney is quaint because it is actually dangerous for you and everyone in your home.

Professionals know that a variety of problems can lead to a tilt in your chimney. We also know that this is an issue that can be righted with chimney repair in Minneapolis. Learn more about the issue and the solution here.

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The Steps to Follow for a Fireplace Installation

Monday, December 19th, 2022

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After returning from a party at a friend’s house, you can’t stop thinking about their fireplace! Yes, the food spread they put together was amazing, but you were also impressed by how well the fireplace brought the room together. What’s more, you realized that the heater wasn’t running all that much because the fireplace kept the room perfectly comfortable.

Whether your visit got you thinking about a fireplace installation in Minneapolis, MN for the first time or you’ve been dreaming about it for years, it’s time to make your fireplace dreams a reality. The experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. are here to help you every step of the way!

3 Steps for Any Fireplace Installation

You’ve decided that you want a fireplace installed in your house. However, it isn’t as easy as waving a magic wand and having the new, beautiful, expertly installed fireplace appear. While calling us will get the process started easily, there are steps to be aware of beforehand so you know what all is entailed.

1. Figure Out the Type of Fireplace You Want

We aren’t just talking about the visual style of your fireplace here although you’ll need to consider that factor too. The biggest question you’ll need to answer when getting a fireplace installed in your house is whether you’re getting a wood-burning or gas-powered fireplace. This can be an easy choice based on whether you already have a gas line connection or whether it’s in your budget to install a gas line in addition to your new fireplace.

2. Determine Where It Should Be

You don’t want to have a technician show up to install your fireplace and tell them they can just “put it anywhere.” This isn’t like a portable heater; a fireplace is installed by making a hole in your wall and installing the fireplace and chimney.

This can be as easy as letting your installer know which room you want the fireplace to be in and determining which part of the room is viable for the installation. Even easier, you may be able to install a gas fireplace insert into the space where your wood-burning fireplace is.

If you have trouble choosing, you can talk to our professionals about the best place to install your fireplace. We’ll make sure that we take your wants and needs and your budget into consideration along with what’s possible for your home.

3. Choose a Time for Your Installation and Keep Your Calendar Clear!

You know what type of fireplace you want to get installed and where you want it. Depending on if you have a fireplace already that you are switching around or you’re installing a fireplace from scratch, you can trust our team to get your installation taken care of. Just be aware that this installation may take a day or it may take several days.

Why not make this holiday season the time that you finally get the fireplace you’ve been dreaming of? Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. to schedule your fireplace installation.

Tags: Fireplace Installation, Minneapolis
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Let’s Make Sure a Furry Friend Didn’t Make Your Chimney Their Home

Monday, December 5th, 2022

Temperatures have dropped which means that everyone is trying to stay in areas that are warm and dry. This doesn’t apply to just humans; critters and creepy crawlers are trying to find cozy places to hole up for the winter. In fact, they may already have found a spot they love and never want to leave: your chimney.

Your chimney needs to be unobstructed when you want to use it. But if there is a nest stuffed in there or damage to the flue from an animal invasion, you’ll have a hard time getting your fireplace to function properly. Getting a chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN is a great way to see if you need to clear out left-behind animal debris or evict some small invaders from your chimney before the fire is lit.

Tags: Chimney Inspection, Minneapolis
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3 Reasons You Need To Have Your Chimney Cleaned

Monday, November 21st, 2022

Your chimney doesn’t move (unless you count the damper) but it serves a highly important role in your house. The chimney is the part of your fireplace that directs smoke and gas out of the house, along with any sparks or soot. This helps keep your home safe and healthy, along with keeping the fire going.

Much like how you’d want to clear a down tree branch blocking traffic or fill a pothole in a roadway, you want to keep your chimney clean, clear, and whole in order to keep things flowing the right way. The best way to ensure the well-being of your chimney is by scheduling a chimney cleaning in Minneapolis, MN. And we’ll explain why.

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