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

Looking for Firewood?

Friday, September 28th, 2012

2nd Generation Chimneys is proud to announce our recently established relationship with /index.cfm/preset/aboutus”>Firewood.com. This company has been in firewood business for over 30 years, and like the Pixley’s, is family owned and operated. They offer quality burnable wood at an affordable price! Check them out on Facebook as well.

Remember, before you start any fires in your chimney this year, first call 2nd Generation Chimneys for a chimney clean and inspection. We are here to ensure your safety and home comfort.

Continue Reading

Tags:
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Inspection | Comments Off on Looking for Firewood?

Reasons To Get a Chimney Inspection Before the Minneapolis Heating Season

Monday, September 24th, 2012

The Minneapolis heating season is almost upon us and that means you need to start thinking of some of the basic maintenance tasks needed before you start using your heating equipment. This is especially true for your chimney, which is responsible for removing the exhaust from your heating system and maintaining steady ventilation throughout your entire home.

Just how important is it to clean your chimney on a timely basis each year? To start, consider the purpose of the chimney. A chimney is designed to remove large volumes of exhaust which means there will be a natural build up of creosote and soot on the flue liner in your chimney. A little bit of build up is normal but when it builds up extensively, such as over the course of a long, cold winter, it can be a problem. At first, it simply slows the flow of exhaust out of the chimney which can put unnecessary stress on your heating system.

However, with time, enough creosote or other debris such as bird’s nests, pests and other debris that got into your chimney over the course of the summer months can create real hazards, potentially even fire hazards.

The Benefits of Annual Chimney Inspection

A chimney inspection will do a few things. First, it ensures all of the creosote and soot build up is removed from your chimney before your heating system is turned on for the first time. Second it checks for damage done as a result of normal operation and any extreme weather since last spring. Finally, it removes other debris that could have built up in there between winters.

Chimney inspection and cleaning needs to be a normal part of your home’s heating maintenance. It is an important preventive step against potential problems and it ensures your chimney works efficiently throughout the coming heating season.

If your chimney has not been inspected in a couple years, contact 2nd Generation Chimneys of Minneapolis for a professional chimney inspection today.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Chimney Inspection | Comments Off on Reasons To Get a Chimney Inspection Before the Minneapolis Heating Season

Minneapolis Chimney Sweep Guide: How To Avoid Chimney Fires

Monday, September 10th, 2012

Chimney fires are scary things to think about, but by taking a few precautions, you can help prevent this problem from happening in your Minneapolis home.

First, here is a little on what causes chimney fires. The wood that you burn in your fireplace or wood stove contains material than can condense on the inside of your chimney. This forms a tar-like substance called creosote, which is very flammable. If enough creosote builds up in your chimney, it can form a serious fire hazard.

While any wood can create creosote, there are some factors that make creosote buildup more likely. Burning green wood, extremely cold temperatures, and poor air supply can lead to more creosote condensing on the chimney. To reduce buildup, it’s best to have small, hot fires with seasoned firewood.

However, since burning any wood will lead to creosote in your chimney, the best way to prevent chimney fires is to have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.  A chimney sweep will remove any creosote buildup and check over your chimney for other problems.

To prepare for your chimney sweep’s visit, there are a few things that you can do:

  • Don’t use the fireplace or wood stove for 24 hours before the appointment
  • Move furniture away from the fireplace
  • Keep pets and children away from the work area

If you haven’t have your Minneapolis chimney cleaned and inspected this year, call 2nd Generation Chimneys today to schedule your appointment!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Chimney | Comments Off on Minneapolis Chimney Sweep Guide: How To Avoid Chimney Fires

Chimney Restoration in Minneapolis

Friday, September 7th, 2012

Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys, we understand the impact of fire damage on your home. If you have experienced a chimney fire or any other damage to your chimney, the 2nd Generation Chimneys team is ready to take care of you. We have experienced professionals on staff to ensure a proper restoration from start to finish. Give the Pixley’s a call today to ensure your chimney is ready for Fall!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Repair | Comments Off on Chimney Restoration in Minneapolis

Chimney Cleaning – Not for the faint of hearts

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Chimney cleaning is not a job for just anyone. It takes more than just skilled training get a job done right – it also takes a lot of guts! Check out our tech up on the chimney top at this chimney inspection job.

2nd Generation Chimneys employs highly skilled and brave men to do the job right and keep your family comfortable and safe. Now is a great time to give us a call for your chimney inspection before the weather changes to colder months. Give us a call today!

 

Continue Reading

Posted in Chimney, Chimney Inspection | Comments Off on Chimney Cleaning – Not for the faint of hearts

Minneapolis Chimney FAQ: Why Do I Need Masonry Repair?

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

In Minneapolis, chimneys are exposed to extreme weather throughout the year. Over the years, water can get into the masonry if it isn’t sealed with the right materials, and once the water settles into the joints, it can weaken the mortar and deteriorate the bricks. During the colder months of the year, water trapped inside the mortar can freeze and cause cracks and other damage to the chimney as a whole.

In older homes, brick and mortar chimneys might simply have worn down due to age. Then when moisture mixes with creosote, it can form mild acids that damage the lining and the masonry. As a result, even a well-maintained chimney may eventually need repairs. At 2nd Generation Chimneys, we can take care of all your masonry repair needs, including sealing and resurfacing. Our technicians are trained to thoroughly inspect your entire chimney and make any necessary repairs.

Masonry Repair Services

The goal of masonry repair services is to inspect the chimney and check for common problems, such as deteriorating and loose bricks, crumbling mortar joints, or creosote build-up and other residues inside the liner. The process can vary depending on the condition of your chimney.

While chimney inspections are always done during the replacement of your heating system, you may also want one completed on a regular basis once a year to check for common signs of wear and tear. Masonry repair services can ensure the integrity of your chimney so that you won’t have to worry about it during the heating season.

There are a number of ways you can reduce the impact of excess moisture damaging your masonry chimney. A chimney cap can stop water from getting inside the chimney and damaging the flue liner, or a new liner can provide protection against the acids that develop due to the mixture of creosote and moisture, especially if you just had a new high-efficiency furnace or boiler installed. Sealing and resurfacing (also known as tuckpointing) can help protect the masonry.

If you suspect a problem in your chimney, or if it has not been inspected in the last year or two, call 2nd Generation Chimneys of Minneapolis for a professional chimney inspection.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Chimney | Comments Off on Minneapolis Chimney FAQ: Why Do I Need Masonry Repair?

Now is the time for Chimney Repairs and Inspection!

Friday, August 10th, 2012

With your chimney being out of commission during the hot summer months, now is the best time to get any repairs or inspections taken care of. David Pixley of 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. (not to be confused with Jack Pixley Sweeps), has an expert crew ready to serve you. Inspections and repairs are critical to the safety and function of your chimney come those winter months when you need to keep your family warm. Give us a call today!

 

 

Continue Reading

Tags:
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Repair, Chimney Repairs, Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning | Comments Off on Now is the time for Chimney Repairs and Inspection!

Three Levels of Chimney Inspection

Friday, August 3rd, 2012

Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys Inc., we know the importance of maintaining and inspecting your chimney to ensure proper function and safety. The Pixley family has been maintaining, inspecting and repairing chimneys for generations and offers three levels of inspection to suite your needs:

  • Level 1 Chimney Inspection: During your yearly chimney sweep appointment, our technicians will inspect all the readily accessible components including the damper, smoke chamber and firebox to look for obvious issues that need repair.
  • Level 2 Chimney Inspection: Offers a more comprehensive look at your chimney by accessing crawlspace and using special equipment. Flue size will also be assessed for compatibility with your fireplace or furnace and recommendations made to resolve any issues found.
  • Level 3 Chimney Inspection: This inspection is the most comprehensive including all components from Level 1 and Level 2 inspections as well as removing the crown or other permanent structures to gain better access to the chimney. This is only done if absolutely necessary, so it is best to receive the professional recommendation from one of our expert technicians to determine which level is best for you.

No matter the level, David Pixley and his team of experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys will provide top notch service and recommendations to keep your chimney well maintained.

 

Continue Reading

Posted in Chimney, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Inspection | Comments Off on Three Levels of Chimney Inspection

New Home Chimney Cleaning and Inspection in Minneapolis

Monday, July 30th, 2012

It is essential to have a chimney inspection and chimney cleaning performed when you purchase a new home.  You can never know exactly how the chimney and fireplace were maintained by the previous owner, and as such ensuring it is properly ventilated with a correctly functioning liner and flu is essential to making certain you remain free from fire hazards associated with improper chimney maintenance.  2nd Generation Chimneys is a professional chimney company in Minneapolis that performs these vital chimney services such as chimney inspection and chimney cleaning.  Let us help you and your family stay safe in your new home before you use your new chimney for the first time.

Chimney Inspection and Chimney Cleaning in New Homes

New homes can come with all sorts of unseen problems which a home inspection will normally uncover.  This way you are aware of the potentials prior to purchasing the home. That is why it is important to make certain you schedule a new home chimney inspection and chimney cleaning with a chimney company such as 2nd Generation Chimneys prior to using your new chimney at all.  This way you will ensure you have a clean chimney that is free from creosote buildup which is a major cause of chimney fires, free of soot which restricts airflow, and free of debris which can come from outside.

During the chimney inspection any deposits will be swept, a visual inspection of the fireplace and chimney itself will be performed to identify any construction defects which have occurred, as well as an internal inspection of the chimney with video inspection to ensure correct chimney cleaning has occurred and to look for other issues.

Professional Chimney Company

It is important to hire a professional chimney company in Minneapolis such as 2nd Generation Chimneys that performs regular chimney inspections and chimney cleanings for new homes as well as chimney maintenance services.  Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys and receive quality Minneapolis chimney services for your new home!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Chimney | Comments Off on New Home Chimney Cleaning and Inspection in Minneapolis

Your Insurance Claim is Safe With Us!

Friday, July 27th, 2012

The Pixley family name has been around for generations when it comes to your Chimney Repair, Chimney Cleaning, and Maintenance needs. David Pixley began his expertise with his fathers old business, Jack Pixley Sweeps. Now the proud owner of 2nd Generation Chimneys, David Pixley and his crew are here to help you with all your Chimney needs, including your Insurance Claims! Making an insurance claim can be time consuming and stressful and 2nd Generation Chimney’s is here to ensure a smooth process and a high quality repair so that your family stays safe. Give us a call today to get your Chimney inspected for fire safety. If you already are filing an insurance claim, be sure to give the Pixley family a call and we will guide you through the process!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Cleaning, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Inspection, Chimney Repair, Chimney Repairs, Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning | Comments Off on Your Insurance Claim is Safe With Us!