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

Fixing Your Chimney – Insurance Claims

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys, we have years of experience working with all different kinds of chimney issues and we wanted to help out our customers who may be experiencing some chimney problems and have questions about insurance claims. Obviously, you will have to consult with your particular insurer, but heck out our short guide below. If you need any Minneapolis chimney repair just give us a call and we’ll be able to get your chimney working again quickly.

Minneapolis Chimney Repair: Insurance

If you’re a homeowner then you almost certainly have homeowner’s insurance. In most cases, your insurance will cover the cost of repair if the repair is sudden as opposed to simple old age. Things like damage from a fallen tree and leaking flashing are what your insurance is there to cover. Again, you’ll have to check with your particular insurance company to see if the damage to your chimney is covered.

However, depending on your deductible, it might actually be a good idea to just pay for the repair yourself. If the cost of the repair is low enough, you could consider paying for it yourself instead of submitting a claim to your insurance. The reason for this is because if you start submitting a lot of insurance claims you might risk getting dropping from your insurance.

But don’t wait to call for repair. Regardless of whether or not you’re going to submit your repair receipts, you should call immediately for Minneapolis chimney repair. This will help you get your chimney back up and running quickly so that you can enjoy your fireplace. Once you call your chimney repair contractor and they perform the repair, make sure that you save your receipts so that you can submit them to your insurance company if you choose to.

When you need any kind of Minneapolis chimney repair just call the specialists at 2nd Generation Chimneys. Whether your chimney is leaking water or if it has any cracks just give us a call and we’ll be able to get your chimney back up and running quickly.

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What Will My Chimney Sweeps Actually Remove from My Chimney?

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

Few home heating methods are both as effective and as aesthetically pleasing as lighting a roaring fire in the fireplace. However, operating a fireplace necessitates special measures that must be taken in order to keep your home safe. A professional chimney sweep must be hired to regularly sweep, clean and inspect your chimney to ensure the safe, effective operation of your chimney. There are a number of different materials and substances that your chimney sweep may find in your chimney, and any issues with such materials must be resolved professionally. Here are a few examples of what your chimney sweep may actually remove from your chimney. If you have any further questions, contact the Minneapolis Chimney Sweeping professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys.

Animal infestations are not entirely uncommon in chimneys. During the offseason, critters will sometimes build nests within a residential chimney. This can create health concerns, ventilation problems, and lead to unpleasant odors. This is especially true if an animal gets trapped within the flue and dies, unable to remove itself from the situation when the chimney is put to work. Not only will our chimney sweeps remove any animals from within your chimney, but we can also offer our expertise and quality products to help prevent the problem from occurring again.

Creosote is what you really have to be worried about in your chimney. Creosote deposits are a natural byproduct of burning wood. If enough creosote is allowed to build up, due to a lack of professional chimney cleaning service, it is possible for it to ignite and catch fire. After enough time has passed, these buildups can reach a point where they are defined as level 3 creosote. This is very difficult to remove. It is thick enough that special techniques and, sometimes, even chemicals must be used to remove the buildup from your chimney.

The Minneapolis chimney sweeping technicians at 2nd Generation Chimneys are always happy to help you enjoy a great, safe performance from your chimney and fireplace. Call today to schedule professional chimney sweeping to ensure that this goal is met. We are always available to answer any questions you may have about the necessity of the chimney sweeping process.

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Chimney Safety List: When is it time for Repair?

Wednesday, July 17th, 2013

Chimneys are a great addition to homes as they add a lot of visual appeal. However, like any other component of your home they will eventually break down and need repair. But many homeowners have difficult recognizing the issues with their chimneys. Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys, we have years of experience offering Minneapolis chimney repair and we wanted to help our customers discern when their chimney is having problems. Read below and if you’re having any of these issues just give us a call.

Minneapolis Chimney Repair: How Can I Tell If I Need Them?

There are a few things that homeowners should look for that could indicate that you need Minneapolis chimney repair. Take a quick look and call us if you’re having any of them.

  • Draft – Your chimney and fireplace create a natural draft that pulls air up through the fireplace and then out the chimney. If you start to notice that smoke is coming into your home or if your fireplace isn’t drafting correctly, it likely means that you need Minneapolis chimney repair. This issue could be caused by blockage in the chimney or from a leak in the actual chimney itself.
  • Water – Where your chimney and roof meet is a vulnerable spot to water leaks. With proper installation, this junction will be sealed with metal flashing and some kind of sealant. But over time these things can break down and allow rain or melted snow to drip down into your fireplace. If see water dripping into your fireplace call for fireplace repair immediately.
  • Chimney cracks – Chimneys are typically very durable and some have been known to last for 100 years. But chimney cracks are something that can happen to any chimney. They are often caused by water freezing in the masonry and slowly forcing it open. But it could also be from overheating inside the chimney. As heat travels up your chimney, it will expand. But if your chimney wasn’t built correctly that expansion could also cause cracks.

When you need Minneapolis chimney repair make sure that you call the friendly professionals at 2nd Generation.

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How to Prevent Chimney Fires

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

Every homeowner is interested in St. Paul chimney fire prevention. No one wants to have any issues with their fireplace which is why making sure that you do everything you can to prevent a chimney is so important. Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys we offer complete services for chimneys of all different types. Here are a few things that you can do as a homeowner to make sure that you prevent chimney fires.

St. Paul Chimney Fire Prevention

Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys we have years of experience offering quality chimney services. Read on to see some of the things that you can do to prevent chimney fires.

  • Get regular chimney cleaning – One of the best things that you can do for your home’s chimney is to get it regularly cleaned and maintained. As you burn fuel in your fireplace, it will create creosote and soot which can build up in the chimney of your home.  The mixture of these two substances can heat up and eventually ignite. Creosote and soot are actually the two most common causes of chimney fires in the United States. During regular chimney cleaning visits, our technicians will remove as much of the creosote and soot build-up as possible.
  • Burn the right fuel in your fireplace – Certain types of fuel in your fireplace can create more creosote and soot build-up. For example, if you burn wood that is young or wet it will actually result in the creation of more creosote and more soot in your chimney. Make sure that if you have a wood-burning fireplace that you only burn wood that is dry.
  • Check draft – Make sure that before you burn fuel in your home check for draft. The draft is the flow of air out of the chimney that pulls smoke from the fireplace up and out. Make sure that you have good draft going up the chimney as this can indicate that your chimney is healthy and working well.
  • Protection around the fire – Another way to prevent chimney fires is outside of the chimney. In order to make sure that no sparks or embers get out you can place a protective grate around the fireplace.

If you have any questions about St. Paul chimney fire prevention make sure that you call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys.

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Small Repairs now Save Money in the Long Run

Friday, June 28th, 2013

We know the weather doesn’t always cooperate year round in St. Paul, MN, even during the summer. But at 2nd Generation Chimneys, staying on track and doing the job right is our top priority. Our certified and experienced technicians provide outstanding customer service and work hard to meet our deadlines despite the summer showers. Whether your chimney requires a minor repair, masonry repairs, or a partial replacement, you can rely on us to get your chimney in top shape for this winter.

St. Paul’s extreme weather conditions make chimneys susceptible to structural wear and potential long term damage to the chimney’s lining from extensive use. Repairs such as chimney relining and sealing are more cost-effective than having to replace the entire chimney. Keep in mind that routine inspections and annual cleanings can help catch little cracks or other problems early to prevent extensive damage and costly repairs.

To request an estimate or to schedule service, call 2nd Generation Chimneys today!

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What Causes Chimney Cracks?

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

If you have a fireplace and chimney in your home it is something that you want to last as long as possible. With good installation, regular maintenance and repair, some chimneys can actually last for over 100 years. Nevertheless, chimneys are just like any other component of your home and they can develop problems. Chimney cracks are a very common issue for homeowners and one that we get a ton of calls for here at 2nd Generation Chimneys. We are the Minneapolis chimney relining and chimney repair experts! We wanted to shed some light on what can cause chimney cracks so that you can detect them early.

Common Causes of Chimney Cracks

Even though your chimney is very sturdy, it can still run into problems and develop cracks. In some cases, repairing the chimney isn’t enough and it requires Minneapolis chimney relining in order to get it back up and working properly. Here are some common causes of chimney cracks.

  • Bad installation – If the mason who built your chimney didn’t leave any expansion room between the flue and the chimney bricks, it could cause cracks as the flue expands from the heat of the fireplace. This could cause you to need Minneapolis chimney relining so that the expansion gap can be put in place.
  • Water leaks – If the flashing around the base of the chimney where it meets your roof isn’t properly installed, water can get in and start to degrade the masonry. Also, during the winter that water could freeze and cause it to expand which would case cracks.
  • Bad chimney footing – The base of your chimney, called the footing or foundation, needs to be level so that the chimney doesn’t slide over the years. Also, if your chimney isn’t properly secured or braced to your structure it could start to lean and crack.
  • Weathering – Depending on which side of your chimney gets the most exposure to the elements, you may notice that your chimney curves in one direction. This could cause your bricks and mortar to start to crack.

If you’re starting to have any issues with your chimney, the Minneapolis chimney relining professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys can help. Give us a call today to learn more and to talk with one of our chimney experts.

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How Often Should I Schedule Chimney Sweeping?

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Most homeowners probably don’t give much thought to the health of their chimney. However, dirty chimneys are the leading cause of chimney fires in the United States. Getting regular chimney sweeping is a great way to improve the efficiency of your chimney and to potentially protect your home from fires. The Minneapolis chimney sweeping experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys have been providing fast and good quality services for many years. We often get asked how often homeowners should schedule chimney sweeping services. Check out our answer below and give us a call if you have any questions or if you’re interested in scheduling a chimney sweeping visit.

When To Get Minneapolis Chimney Sweeping

Most homeowners understand the value of getting regular maintenance for their home’s components. We get our cars and trucks regular serviced so why wouldn’t regular cleaning and maintenance have benefits for our chimneys as well? But how often should you get Minneapolis chimney sweeping? The answer depends largely on what type of fuel you burn in your fireplace. Check out our quick guide below.

For most types of fuel, you can get your chimney swept once every year. However, there is a big caveat with this. If you use your fireplace a lot you should probably think about getting Minneapolis chimney sweeping twice per year. If you have a wood-burning chimney make sure that you only burn very dry wood in it. Burning young wood that is still wet can produce more creosote and soot in your chimney which would cause it to build up faster. If you have a coal-burning fireplace you should definitely get Minneapolis chimney sweeping twice per year. Coal is a very dirty fuel to burn and produces a lot of creosote that can build up in your chimney and cause a fire.

If you’re interested in setting up regular Minneapolis chimney sweeping visits for your home just call 2nd Generation Chimneys today. We will get to your home, quickly clean your chimney and then get out of your hair. Call us today to learn more and to talk with one of our friendly specialists.

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How Can I Tell if My Chimney Need a Repair?

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

Homeowners with working fireplaces know how relaxing and comforting a roaring fire in the living room can be. While fireplaces are a great luxury, though, they can also present some unique hazards if not properly cared for. One of the most important things that you must do if you use a fireplace in your home is to ensure that your chimney is in great working condition. If you have any reason to suspect that you may be in need of professional Minneapolis chimney repair, 2nd Generation Chimneys is the company to call. Contact us today to schedule the outstanding chimney repair services you need to operate your fire safely and confidently.

In order to schedule any necessary chimney repair services promptly of course, you must be able to recognize some common signs that you are in need of chimney repair. One of the most obvious signs that you need to schedule professional chimney repair is the development of cracks in your chimney. Chimney crowns, for instance, are a common cause of chimney leaks. They are very exposed to the elements, designed to shed water away from the top of a chimney. As the weather fluctuates from freezing winters to hot summers, your crown may cracks and crumble.

You may also notice cracks in the mortar of your chimney. The mortar tends to go before bricks, which are much more durable. It is very likely that, at some point, your mortar will need to be touched up or replaced.

Finally, operational issues most likely point to a need for a professional chimney repair. If you are at all concerned about problems with venting smoke out of your fireplace, contact us immediately. The threat of carbon monoxide exposure should not be taken lightly. Schedule professional chimney repair the moment you notice any problems with its operation.

2nd Generation Chimneys is happy to answer any questions you may have about the chimney repair process. Give us a call today to learn more. Our Minneapolis chimney repair technicians want to ensure that you are able to use your fireplace safely and with total confidence in the quality of your chimney’s operation.

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Tips for Chimney Fire Prevention

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

Fireplaces are a great addition to many homes and provide warmth and style to any indoor environment. But fireplaces and their chimneys need to be taken care of and respected. Chimney fires are no laughing matter and can be a serious threat to your home and to your safety. Preventing chimney fires should be something that every homeowner is interested in. The St. Paul chimney fire prevention professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys have years of experience cleaning and maintaining all different types of chimneys. We thought it would be a good idea to put together some of the ways that you can potentially protect your home from chimney fires.

St. Paul Chimney Fire Prevention

During the winter you likely use your fireplace on a regular basis. That use can lead to the build-up of creosote and soot on the inside of your chimney lining. These two materials are the result of burning fuel in your fireplace. They are also the most common cause of chimney fires. These are a few of the St. Paul chimney fire prevention steps that you can take to make sure that your chimney keeps working efficiently and safely.

  • Get regular maintenance – Probably the best way to potentially prevent chimney fires is to get your chimney regularly inspected and cleaned by a professional. During regular maintenance and cleaning visits, our chimney sweeps will thoroughly clean and inspect your chimney for any cracks or issues that could be developing it your chimney’s lining.
  • Burn the right wood – Make sure that the wood you burn (if you have a wood-burning fireplace) is thoroughly dried. When green, wood can have a lot of resin, water and tannins that can create a lot of creosote when you burn them. Also, evergreens like pine and hemlock tend to have more resin and sap in them which produces more creosote. To help prevent creosote build-up you can burn  an aluminum can in your fireplace every once in a while which will help dry out the creosote.

If you’d like to learn more St. Paul chimney fire prevention tips just call 2nd Generation Chimneys today to talk with one of our friendly staff about any of the services that you need.

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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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