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

What’s the Purpose of a Chimney Liner?

Monday, July 15th, 2024

Homeowners often take for granted the crucial components of homes that keep us safe and comfortable. One such component is the chimney liner, an essential part of any chimney system that ensures the efficient and safe operation of your fireplace or heating appliance.

At 2nd Generation Chimneys, we are dedicated to educating our customers about the importance of chimney liners and providing top-notch chimney liner installation and repair services. In this post, we will explore what chimney liners are, the different types available, and why they are a cost-effective solution for maintaining your chimney.

Tags: Bloomington, Chimney Liner, chimney liner installation
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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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What You Should Know About Chimney Liners

Monday, May 10th, 2021

Not sure what a chimney liner is or what it is for? Let us help with that.

Whether you are trying to learn about better chimney care or looking to just learn more about your chimney, one thing you should know about is your chimney liner. This is a vital part of your chimney and fireplace that can impact your comfort and your safety too. We can help you learn more about your chimney liner and provide the services you need to keep it in good shape.

Tags: Chimney Liner, Minneapolis
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Chimneys FAQ: Your Chimney Flue

Monday, March 30th, 2020

When you light up your fireplace, you can sit back and enjoy the warmth knowing that all the gas and smoke being created that could otherwise be harmful to your home are drifting safely up and out through your chimney. If something is wrong with your chimney flue though, you may not get this experience the way you expect.

For many people, it may come as a surprise that your chimney isn’t just the brick chute you see from the outside. Instead, the brick and mortar act as a visually pleasing cover over the part that is really responsible for getting rid of all that smoke: your chimney flue.

Your flue is quite important to the operation of your fireplace so it is a good idea to brush up on your understanding of this structure so you can be prepared when the time comes for repairs.

Tags: chimney, Chimney Repairs, St. Paul
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3 Things to Know about Your Chimney Liner

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

You might not know too much about the chimney that vents smoke and other byproducts away from your home. Many people don’t know that the masonry they see on the outside of a chimney is not the complete picture. A safe, modern chimney also has a liner inside, which helps to contain byproducts of combustion properly.

Tags: Chimney Liner, Minneapolis
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Should You Upgrade Your Chimney Liner?

Monday, September 21st, 2015

Unless you’re a professional chimney sweep, it can be tough to tell if your chimney is in trouble. Chimneys don’t exactly make noise or show many other outward signs that they need repair. However, there are some ways to determine if you should replace your older chimney liner with a new one. Here is how you can tell that your chimney need relining services from a professional chimney technician.

Tags: Chimney Liner, Chimney Liners
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Relining a Chimney: A Safe Bet for Many Homes

Monday, August 24th, 2015

Modern safety standards regulate chimneys in many ways, such as the inclusion of the chimney liner in any home. Masonry chimneys were once built without anything lining the inside. While the bricks and mortar used in their construction often held up for several decades, eventual wear and tear made it so that chimneys were at an extremely high risk of catching fire. Beginning in the 1940s, building regulations began to include the mandated addition of a chimney liner in any new construction.

Tags: Chimney Liners, chimney relining
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What Is Creosote?

Friday, February 20th, 2015

Combustion heat always creates byproducts – some of them toxic – whether the combustion is in a simple fire pit in your backyard or a fireplace insert in your living room. Combustion byproducts can be gases, vapors, fumes, ash and soot, but there is one byproduct that can lead directly to chimney fires: creosote.

What Is It?

Creosote is a sticky, corrosive and highly flammable substance that is created when the noxious gases and vapors from combustion cool below 250 degrees. When the gases cool to this temperature level, they liquefy, combine with soot and ash, and become the substance known as creosote. The sticky nature of creosote allows it to cling to the inside of your chimney, creating a highly flammable, dangerous build-up that can ignite.

Stages of Creosote

When a professional chimney cleaner assesses the level of creosote build-up in your fireplace, he/she will refer to the build-up as being Stage One, Stage Two or Stage Three:

Stage One – Stage One creosote is the easiest and least problematic as it is mostly comprised of soot; this means it is also the easiest to remove.

Stage Two – Stage Two creosote is black and flaky, and this is because the tar in the creosote has hardened. This level of creosote build-up can cause air restriction and pose the risk of a chimney fire.

Stage Three – a Stage Three creosote level is a very serious situation. This level of creosote looks and acts like a layer of tar and is very hard to remove; it is also extremely flammable and likely to cause a chimney fire. It may be necessary to replace the lining in a chimney that has Stage Three creosote.

Schedule Annual Chimney Cleaning

Preventing chimney fires is one of the most important reasons to schedule an annual chimney cleaning in in Carver County. If it’s been more than 12 months since your last chimney cleaning and you are having problems with drafting, soot and ash, call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.

Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS

Tags: Carver County, chimney cleaning
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What Are the Benefits of a Chimney Liner?

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Since the inside of your chimney isn’t something you see often, you may not be aware of how essential the chimney liner is to keeping your fireplace hearth both safe and pleasant. The liner is responsible for helping combustion material from the fires in the hearth escape up the chimney and prevent the development of dangerous residue such as creosote.

Not all chimneys have liners; if you live in an older home, the chimney may have originally been constructed without a liner. If this is the case for your home, you should definitely contact 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. and have us help you choose and install a chimney liner in Maplewood, MN. If your chimney has a damaged liner, you should also contact us for a replacement.

2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. is one of the most trustworthy sources for chimney repair services, and have upheld our standard for quality through two generations.

Chimney liner benefits

Protects your home from fire damage: One of the essential functions of a chimney liner is to keep the heat inside the chimney from reaching the combustible material outside it. For older chimneys with cracks in their masonry, it’s easy for heat to escape to areas such as the second floor or the roof and start a conflagration. In fact, the majority of house fires in the U.S. start this way. A liner keeps the heat inside the chimney where it belongs.
Prevents creosote and moisture: Creosote is the #1 enemy of chimneys everywhere. This shiny black substance is the unburned wood energy that gathers due to poor venting or wood that doesn’t burn thoroughly. It is highly combustible and a leading cause of chimney fires. A liner prevents creosote from building up by helping with proper venting. The liner also stops water moisture from becoming trapped in the chimney, which is a significant danger because it will cause cracking when it freezes during winter.
Increases a home’s energy efficiency: Liners form a layer of insulation inside a chimney that reduces the downdrafts that can come down it during times when there is no fire in the hearth. This means less cold air getting into your home and forcing you to run your heater more often. It also means more efficient burning of fuel inside the fireplace.

Chimney liners are usually made of clay or stainless steel. Both have advantages and disadvantages; your re-lining professionals will determine which one will work best for your chimney.

If you have any doubts about the integrity of your chimney liner or any other part of your fireplace, contact 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. and we will perform a CSIA-approved inspection. Based on our findings, we’ll recommend how best to proceed with making your chimney as safe as possible, whether through restoration, repair, or a new chimney liner in Maplewood, MN.

Tags: Chimney Liner, Maplewood
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How Is Minneapolis Chimney Relining Done?

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013

Here in Minnesota you likely use your chimney a lot. All that use can eventually cause problems for your chimney. One of the fastest and easiest ways to both repair cracks and also increase the efficiency of your chimney is to get it relined. Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys we have many years of experience relining all different types of chimneys. We often get asked about how the process actually gets done. We thought it would be a good idea to put together a quick explanation of how our experts perform Minneapolis chimney relining. Give us a call if you’re having any issues with your chimney.

Minneapolis Chimney Relining

There are a couple different methods for relining your chimney. The Minneapolis chimney relining experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys can work with you to figure out which method would be best. The fuel that you use for your fireplace will be a large determining factor in which type of chimney relining material we will use.

Clay tiles – Clay tiles are inexpensive and very common. They can be found almost anywhere and are a good option for many homeowners. The Minneapolis chimney relining professionals at 2nd Generation can help determine if this is the right route for your home.
Metal – Metal relining is another very common chimney relining material. Stainless steel is a good choice for some homeowners because it can be used with many different types of fireplaces.
Cast-in-place – This type of relining involves pouring cements into a mold inside your chimney. The mold forms the cement into a solid cylinder inside of your existing chimney. This is a great option if your chimney is damaged.

If you’ve started to have problems with your chimney just call the friendly Minneapolis chimney relining specialists at 2nd Generation Chimney. We have years of experience working with all different types of chimneys. We’ll be able to get yours back up and working again soon.

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