Creosote is one of the most dangerous things you can find inside of a chimney. And yet, it builds up naturally as you burn a fire in your fireplace. There are steps you can take to lessen the buildup and impact of creosote, a black, tarlike substance that is highly combustible. And you should also know what to look for to tell if your creosote problem is out of control.
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Chimney’ Category
Checking Your Chimney for Creosote
Monday, May 30th, 2016Why Should You Worry about Your Chimney and Fireplace When It’s Warm Out?
Monday, May 23rd, 2016We know that in the summertime, few people have their chimneys on their minds. But if your chimney has issues that go ignored for too long, it can become a serious headache when winter arrives. When you take care of chimney problems or routine cleaning this summer, you can make things a lot easier for the rest of the year. Take a look at some examples.
Don’t Forget about Your Dryer Vents This Spring
Monday, May 9th, 2016Spring cleaning is a time for you to clean out your closets, throw out what you don’t use, and clean off the rest. Throughout the process, you might end up with a lot of laundry, washing towels, curtains, spare bedsheets, and of course, your usual clothing loads. And the more you use your dryer, the more at risk you are for a dryer-related fire—if you haven’t had the dryer vents cleaned out this year.
Why Smoke Gets into Your Home When You Use the Fireplace
Monday, May 2nd, 2016You light a fire in your fireplace, assuming that you’ll feel more comfortable in no time. But shortly after you build a fire, smoke is sent through the fireplace and back to your home. This is a scary problem that often deserves professional attention in order to prevent fires and other health and safety issues. We’ve provided the list below so that you can ask yourself a few questions before you call in a technician, and know what to tell the chimney sweeps when they arrive.
3 Ways Your Chimney Could Be Unsafe
Monday, April 25th, 2016We know that in the springtime, many homeowners are not really thinking about the condition of their chimney. However, if you’ve got any of the following issues with your chimney, it’s so important that you find out and seek services ASAP, for your continued safety and for your health. Check out our list of ways your chimney might be unsafe, and then call our team to schedule an inspection!
Should You Worry about Vines Climbing Up the Chimney?
Monday, April 18th, 2016The look of vines climbing up a home’s walls can add beauty to the structure. A bit of color on your walls and on the roof is always a nice touch, and it add to the charm of nearly any home. However, there are some concerns you might not think of when it comes to the greenery on the side of your home. But our experts are often cautious about letting the growth get out of control, at least when it comes to your chimney.
What You Should Know about Structural Issues and Your Chimney
Tuesday, April 12th, 2016A fireplace adds warmth and beauty to the inside of your home, while a chimney gives a welcoming look to the outside of your building. Sometimes, chimneys are so old and worn, they can have structural damage on the outside that you may or may not notice. When you do notice the issue, however, you might think it adds even more of a vintage look and feel, with the occasional masonry damage just adding quirkiness to your home. However, there are some things you should know about your chimney and how structural damage can really affect you.
Why Should I Schedule Chimney Cleaning in the Spring?
Monday, April 4th, 2016Many homeowners don’t think about the importance of having their chimney cleaned in the spring, if at all. But given the workout your fireplace gets during our cold winters, it makes sense that this is something that should be a top priority. Don’t wait until you need to use your fireplace next fall to schedule a chimney cleaning appointment: here are some reasons you should schedule this for spring.
Creosote: Is This a Risk I Should Worry about with My Chimney?
Monday, March 28th, 2016A common misconception homeowners believe about their chimneys and fireplaces is that they require little to no maintenance. This can unfortunately be a very dangerous mistake to make. Creosote is a real threat, and can not only cause a chimney fire but can also have adverse effects on your health. This substance is a dark brown oil distilled from coal tar that builds up within your chimney.
What Can We Find with a Chimney Inspection?
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016We know that spring is here and you don’t think too much about the condition of your heating equipment right now. But you’d be surprised to hear about what types of problems may have developed in your chimney over the past couple of seasons. Schedule a chimney inspection each and every year, so that you can feel confident that your family is safe the next time you use your chimney.