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

Blaine Residents Ask: What is the Difference Between the Different Levels of Chimney Inspections?

Friday, February 10th, 2012

When needing a chimney inspection, many Blaine homeowners balk upon seeing the different levels involved.

How do I know which one to get? Which one s right for me? What is the difference?

To help answer those questions, let’s briefly describe the the levels of chimney inspection defined by the National Fire Protection Association.

Level 1

Also known as a visual chimney inspection, this is the most basic level. This inspection includes looking at all parts of the chimney that are readily accessible, both on the interior and exterior. The visual inspection is generally just done by eye, with no video equipment involved.

The idea is to inspect the overall soundness of the chimney and fireplace or stove installation. You would opt for this inspection if your system has been serviced frequently and you haven’t made any changes to the ventilation system or how you use your fireplace.

Level 2

As you would expect, this inspection is more involved. For this, an inspector will look not just at the readily accessible interior and exterior portions of the chimney, but also less accessible segments. This may include having access to an attic, basement or crawl space. This inspection is usually recorded on video.

You would need this type of inspection if you had made any change to your system, such as getting a new fireplace or changing the ventilation. A Level 2 inspection is also highly recommended when selling your home.

Level 3

The Level 3 inspection is the most thorough and involved. In addition to checking all the same areas in the first two levels, this inspection essentially means inspecting the entire chimney inside and out to determining if you need any chimney repairs.

This type of inspection is really only necessary in cases where the chimney has been or may have been damaged, such as in a house fire, chimney fire or natural disaster. So, with any luck, you will not have to have a Level 3 inspection ever performed on your chimney.

Please keep in mind that these are only general guidelines. The actual definitions of the inspections are much more complicated. If you have any doubt as to which inspection level is appropriate for your situation, call 2nd Generation Chimneys to make sure.

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Plymouth Chimney Tips: The Importance of Chimney Screens, Caps, and Dampers

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Improper ventilation and moisture inside your chimney can create a number of problems, including hazards, such as chimney fires and carbon monoxide leaks. Installing and maintaining chimney screens, caps, and dampers will help to reduce the necessity of  chimney cleaning.

Here at 2nd Generation Chimney, we have all of your chimney and fireplace needs covered, and we offer quality and durable products that are made to last. Call us for the best chimney repair in Plymouth.

Chimney Screen

Chimney screens are installed mainly to prevent animals from nesting or getting trapped in your chimney. Birds and other rodents like to use chimneys for nesting sites, especially raccoons since their natural nesting sites are inside hollow trees. Animals nesting in your chimney can create health hazards in addition to restricting airflow. Animals don’t just damage your chimney system when they nest in it; they can also get through cracks in the masonry and walls and chew through insulation and wiring inside your home. It’s also a good idea to install metal screens for your roof vents, since many small animals are able to chew through vinyl roof vents.

Chimney screens are also referred to as exterior spark arrestors because they help keep sparks from wood-burning appliances from drifting out of the chimney. Sparks from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces have been known to start brush fires and other damages to the roof. Make sure you talk to a chimney professional about installing the proper screen for your wood-burning appliance.

Chimney Cap

Modern chimney caps are typically manufactured with a screen attached, and in addition to animal protection, these also help protect the chimney crown. While not all caps will completely cover the crown, they do deflect much of the rainwater. Over time, crowns can crack and allow moisture inside the mortar joints and bricks below. Properly sealing your chimney with a permeable sealant will help prevent water damage, but it’s also a good idea to install a cap and screen that is large enough to cover the entire crown. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so call us if you would like to know more about the chimney caps we offer.

Chimney Damper

In addition to preventing heat loss when you aren’t using your fireplace, dampers can also provide extra moisture protection. Water inside a chimney flue can create many problems. When moisture mixes with any kind of combustion material, it can become corrosive. This can cause important chimney components to break down over time.

There are a variety of products on the market to help keep your chimney flue free of debris, animals, and water. You can help protect your Plymouth home from chimney fires and carbon monoxide intrusion by calling 2nd Generation Chimney to ask about our chimney products and installation services.

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Why Are Chimney Inspections Important in Minneapolis

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

In Minneapolis whether you use your fireplace on a regular basis or not, it’s always a good idea to have someone come out once a year or so to clean and inspect your chimney. Because the truth is that you have no idea what’s going on in that part of your house or up on the roof.

In general, you wouldn’t notice that there was a problem on the roof or in the chimney until it got bad enough to generate symptoms inside like a leaky ceiling. And if your chimney isn’t in good shape when you do go to use your fireplace, you could be creating a hazardous situation for yourself and your family.

There simply isn’t much about your chimney that you can discern with the naked eye or from the ground. In fact, the portion of your chimney that’s visible at all is really a very small percentage of the whole. There could be all types of structural problems hidden deep within the chimney that aren’t causing noticeable problems yet but that could begin to develop into larger issues if left untreated over time.

Just like with anything else, it’s best to get chimney repairs done early before they become larger problems. While a chimney may seem like a pretty straightforward piece of equipment, it actually has to retain a certain set of characteristics to make sure it functions properly and channels exhaust from a fire out properly.

The airflow through a chimney is carefully controlled and regulated. Any small defect or crack in the structure can cause smoke and other dangerous gasses to stay in the house rather than traveling outward. Also, just about anything can fall into your chimney during the year, and that may lead to partial or full blockages of the channel. If you don’t have your chimney checked before you use it, you’re very likely to wind up with an unpleasant surprise when you do want to curl up in front of a cozy fire.

Another side benefit of having your chimney inspected and cleaned is that it winds up getting a professional up on your roof looking around. Aside from chimney problems, they may also be able to spot damage or decay in part of your roof that you’ll be able to get fixed sooner rather than later.  So contact your chimney experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys for your next chimney inspection.

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Why is it Important to Have My Chimney Serviced and Inspected After a Chimney Fire in Anoka?

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Hopefully, you have never experience a chimney fire in Anoka and won’t ever have to get a chimney inspection. But if you own a home with a fireplace (and use it), the risks of a chimney fire are there and it isn’t important to know what to do after one happens.

Once the fire is out and you have called your insurance company, you may think it is fine to just start using your fireplace again. It is not! You must have your chimney inspected and potentially get chimney repairs before using your fireplace again. There are at least four crucial things to be checked for and resolved during this process:

  1. Creosote buildup
    Creosote that is left behind from the fire can clog the up the chimney, presenting a risk for smoke and carbon monoxide to back up into the home. Creosote can also be fuel for a future chimney fire, so any buildup must be removed.
  1. Damage to the chimney
    The fire may have damaged the chimney, especially the smoke shelf, chimney liner or flue tiles. These must be replaced if they are damaged.
  1. Smoke damage
    In addition to damage from the fire directly, there may be smoke damage inside the chimney which will prevent it from working properly and safely.
  1. Proper ventilation
    Any damage or buildup inside the chimney can cause improper ventilation, either in the form of too little clearance for gases to escape up the chimney or leaks that allow gases to ventilate outwards into the home. As mentioned in #1, this can cause smoke and carbon monoxide to get into your house.

In short, getting your chimney inspected after a fire is a matter of safety and health. You want to reduce the risk of further unsafe events, such as carbon monoxide leaks, another chimney fire or even a collapse.

Hopefully you never have to deal with a chimney fire, but if you do, do not skip this important step in the aftermath.  Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys Inc with any questions or concerns.

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