2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘White Bear Lake’

Why Spring Chimney Cleaning Is Important

Friday, March 6th, 2015

“Spring cleaning” is a term everyone knows, and today we apply it to more than just cleaning homes. Any thorough clean-up job done to maintain orderliness, whether at your office or on your computer’s hard drive, can be thought of as spring cleaning.

A part of your home that definitely needs true spring cleaning is your chimney. Spring is one of the best times to arrange for a professional chimney sweep to come to your home and give your chimney a complete cleaning, from firebox to crown. If you are looking for excellent spring chimney cleaning in White Bear Lake, MN, you have come to the right place: 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. has certified chimney sweeps on staff with the experience and equipment to handle the job while keeping your home protected from soot. Contact us today to arrange for your chimney cleaning. When our technician arrives, they will confirm the details of the appointment to ensure all your needs are addressed.

Introduction to Chimney Services

Chimney services are essential for maintaining the safety and functionality of your home. A certified chimney sweep can provide a range of services, including chimney cleaning, inspection, and repair. Experienced employees are crucial for ensuring proper handling of various chimney-related issues, which in turn enhances customer satisfaction and safety. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends annual chimney inspections to ensure that your chimney is functioning properly and safely. In the Greater Twin Cities area, including Minneapolis, MN, it’s crucial to hire a CSIA certified technician to perform these services. By doing so, you can trust that your chimney and fireplace are in good hands, and you can enjoy your wood-burning fireplace with peace of mind. Attempting to sweep your own chimney without proper experience can be dangerous, as it requires specialized knowledge and tools to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Why spring cleaning is recommended for chimneys

You use your fireplace the most during the winter, and all that exhaust going up the chimney can lead to the development of creosote, a combustible material that needs removal. If creosote continues to build up, it can lead to chimney fires that can damage the chimney and even lead to fires in the upper floors or roof of your house. Extensive soot will also develop inside the chimney over the winter, and it’s important for chimney sweeps to eliminate this so the fireplace can vent properly. Many chimneys have clay flue tiles that can crack and expand with heat, further emphasizing the need for regular maintenance and cleaning.

Annual fireplace inspections are recommended by reputable organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fire Protection Association to maintain safety and prevent fire hazards.

The Minnesota winters can be exceptionally cruel to chimneys, and once the cold and snow are gone during the spring, it’s a good time to get rid of some of the troubles the chimney may have picked up during the last few months. Moisture inside a chimney from snow and rain can lead to cracking along the masonry, and cleaning will catch these problems before they become serious. Over time, chimneys can deteriorate, making regular inspections essential to identify and address issues early, preventing costly repairs.

One common trouble that chimney cleaners encounter during spring cleaning is animal nests. Many birds and mammals seek shelter inside chimneys during the cold weather, which provide warmth and shelter. Bird nests are a frequent issue, often placed near the crown. Even raccoons can try to lair inside a chimney, and you certainly don’t want to attempt to remove a raccoon on your own!

It is also important to protect your home from debris during chimney cleaning. Professionals use drop cloths and floor runners to ensure that any mess generated does not damage your living space.

Finally, chimney cleaning in spring is easy to plan, since chimney professionals are not as busy as in the winter and fall. You arrange to have your cleaning done on a convenient schedule.

We are certified with the Chimney Safety Institute of America and members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild.

Benefits of Chimney Sweeping

Chimney sweeping is a critical maintenance task that offers numerous benefits for customers, ensuring their safety and satisfaction. Regular sweeping can help prevent chimney fires, reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and improve the overall efficiency of your fireplace. Additionally, chimney sweeping can help remove soot and creosote buildup, which can cause damage to your chimney and pose health risks. Removing soot build-up is essential to prevent potential fire hazards and maintain the efficiency of your fireplace. By hiring a professional chimney sweep, you can ensure that your chimney is clean and safe, and you can enjoy the warmth and ambiance of your fireplace without worrying about potential hazards. The CSIA certified technicians at our company use the latest techniques and equipment to provide thorough and efficient sweeping services, including dryer vent cleaning and chimney inspection.

Importance of Hiring a Certified Chimney Sweep

Hiring a qualified certified chimney sweep is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of your chimney services. A certified sweep has undergone extensive training and has the necessary expertise to identify and address potential issues with your chimney. Our co-owner, who guides our certified technicians, ensures that high standards are maintained throughout our services. They will perform a thorough visual inspection of your chimney, including the chimney liner, chimney cap, and surrounding masonry, to identify any signs of damage or wear. Routine inspections by professionals catch early signs of wear, preventing larger issues and ensuring the longevity of your chimney. By hiring a certified sweep, you can trust that your chimney is in good hands, and you can enjoy the benefits of a safe and efficient fireplace. Our company is committed to providing excellent customer service and ensuring customer satisfaction, and we offer free estimates for all our services, including installation services and repair.

Chimney and Fireplace Services

At London Chimney Services, we offer a comprehensive range of chimney and fireplace services to ensure the safety and efficiency of your home’s heating system. Our certified technicians are trained to handle all types of chimney services, including cleaning, inspections, and repairs. We prioritize quality, safety, and excellent customer service in all our work, making us the go-to choice for homeowners in the Minneapolis area.

Our services include chimney sweeping, chimney cleaning, and dryer vent cleaning, all designed to keep your home safe and your fireplace functioning efficiently. We also offer installation services for chimney liners, caps, and other components to ensure your chimney is in top condition. Our team of CSIA certified technicians is dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring customer satisfaction with every job.

We serve the greater Twin Cities area, including Minneapolis, MN, and surrounding communities. Whether you need a routine cleaning or a complex repair, our team is equipped to handle the job with professionalism and expertise. Trust London Chimney Services to keep your chimney and fireplace in excellent working order.

The Role of a Chimney Sweep in Maintenance

A certified chimney sweep plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of your chimney and fireplace. Our technicians are trained to inspect and clean chimneys, identifying potential hazards and preventing costly repairs. A thorough visual inspection is performed to assess the condition of your chimney, including the flue, liner, and masonry.

We use specialized equipment to clean and inspect your chimney, ensuring a thorough and safe process. Our technicians are knowledgeable about the latest industry standards and best practices, ensuring your chimney is in compliance with safety regulations. Regular chimney sweeping and maintenance can help prevent fires, reduce creosote buildup, and improve the overall efficiency of your fireplace.

By hiring a certified chimney sweep, you can trust that your chimney is in good hands and your home is safe from potential hazards. We take pride in our work and strive to provide excellent customer service, ensuring you’re satisfied with our services.

Safety Precautions for Chimney Use

At London Chimney Services, we emphasize the importance of safety precautions when using your chimney and fireplace. Our technicians are trained to identify potential hazards and provide guidance on safe usage and maintenance. We recommend regular inspections and cleaning to prevent creosote buildup and reduce the risk of fires.

It’s essential to keep the area around your fireplace clear of debris and combustible materials to prevent accidents. We also recommend installing a chimney cap to prevent animal infestations and debris from entering your chimney. Our team is knowledgeable about the latest safety standards and regulations, ensuring your chimney is in compliance.

By following safety precautions and maintaining your chimney regularly, you can enjoy your fireplace with peace of mind. We’re committed to helping homeowners in the Minneapolis area prioritize chimney safety and efficiency.

Chimney Repair and Maintenance

Chimney repair and maintenance projects are critical for ensuring the longevity and safety of your chimney. A certified chimney sweep can identify potential issues with your chimney, such as damaged or missing mortar, cracked or broken flue tiles, and worn-out or damaged chimney caps. As a certified cleaning contractor, we provide quality chimney services with a commitment to safety, craftsmanship, and customer service. They can also provide repair services, including tuckpointing, masonry repairs, chimney restoration, and relining chimneys with premium liners. Regular maintenance can help prevent costly repairs and ensure that your chimney is functioning properly. Most masonry chimneys are built with clay tile flue liners exposed to extreme conditions, which can lead to premature failure if not properly maintained. Our company offers a range of chimney repair and maintenance services, including sweeping services, fireplace services, and chimney inspection, to help you keep your chimney in top condition. We pride ourselves on our quality work and efficient service, and we strive to protect your home and family from potential hazards.

For quality spring chimney cleaning in White Bear Lake, MN, give 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. a call. Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS

Continue Reading

What Happens During a Level 3 Chimney Inspection?

Monday, October 27th, 2014

Your fireplace adds warmth and décor to your home and is a wonderful source of heat that keeps you feeling cozy and content. But without proper maintenance, any type of heating system—boilers, furnaces, and fireplaces alike—becomes a safety hazard. It’s important to schedule chimney inspection every year to ensure your fireplace has proper ventilation and that there are no serious problems that need to be addressed.  If it’s been a while since your last checkup, here are ways to tell you’re overdue for chimney cleaning and why you should act fast. The National Fire Association and the Chimney Institute of America have established three levels of inspection which all inspectors now use. Level 1 is the most basic type of inspection while Level 3 is used only in rare instances. We’ll go over all of the levels in this guide.

Chimney inspection and chimney cleaning are jobs for professional technicians who know what specific types of problems to look out for. At 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., we’ve been in the business for two generations, so we know the proper way to perform a chimney inspection in White Bear Lake. In fact, our team is proud to have earned the Certified Chimney Professional designation—a recognition that reflects our commitment to high-quality, expert-level service.

Level 1 and 2 Inspections

Level 1 and Level 2 inspections are the most common types that homeowners schedule. A Level 1 chimney inspection is part of your yearly chimney cleaning service. If your contractor does not inspect your chimney along with cleaning service, you should hire a new contractor. This is a routine inspection, during which an inspector checks all of the exposed portions of the chimney to make sure construction is stable.

You will need a Level 2 inspection whenever you make a change to your fireplace. You may, for example, switch to a different fuel source or decide to reline a chimney flue. A technician will need to access your roof and crawlspace, and may require video cameras for inspection.

Level 3 Inspections

Level 3 inspections are only performed when you or your inspector suspect a problem. For this type of inspection, the inspector may need to remove some components of your chimney, such as the chimney crown or parts of the interior chimney wall.  In many cases, issues like a cracked or deteriorating chimney crown may prompt this more invasive assessment to ensure your system is safe and structurally sound. In this case, technicians should limit removal only to areas where a problem may be present.

Trust the safety of your home to the trained and certified experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for chimney inspection in White Bear Lake. Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS

Continue Reading