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

5 Tips for Holiday Fireplace & Chimney Safety

Monday, December 21st, 2020
couple-fireplace-warm

Who doesn’t like to enjoy a nice warm fire when celebrating the holidays? Whether it is just yourself and your immediate family members at home, or you are having some guests over to celebrate over dinner, a good fire in the fireplace makes the mood that much nicer and warmer.

With that said, we want to make sure that nothing goes wrong while you are enjoying yourselves or after the festivities are over. There are several things that you should know to do in order to keep your home safe when it comes to your fireplace and chimney use. Using these tips, you should be able to enjoy a safe and warm season without worrying about trouble from your fireplace.

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Chimney Sweeping Is a Job for Pros

Monday, November 9th, 2020

Most of us have watched the iconic “Mary Poppins” movie scene with dancing chimney sweeps hopping from roof to roof and covered in soot. While chimney sweeps around here might be a little less magical, that doesn’t make them any less important. This is because chimney sweeping is a job that is best left to the professionals (that’s us) to ensure your comfort and safety.

It may not come across as a job that requires a lot of skill (you know how to sweep after all) but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The tools and knowledge required for proper chimney sweeping in Minneapolis, MN are only going to be found with a trained professional. That is why you should always reach out to 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. to keep your chimney and fireplace clean and clear.

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Why is My Chimney Leaking?

Monday, October 26th, 2020

Things are cooling off which makes it the perfect time to enjoy a warm mug of tea and a book by the fireplace. At least, it would be if your chimney wasn’t letting water and cold air leak into your home.

This is already a bothersome situation and we don’t want to make it worse but we want you to know, a leaking chimney is a problem. In fact, if your chimney is leaking it means you need to reach out to our team for chimney repair in Minneapolis, MN as soon as you can. We can help you figure out what is causing this issue and get it resolved as well.

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How Chimney Cleaning Helps You

Monday, October 12th, 2020
man-shadow-chimney-clean

Fall is finally here and you know what that means–it is time to decorate with some autumnal and Halloween themed décor if you haven’t already started! That’s right, you can break out the leaf wreaths, the pumpkins, and the cuddly blankets. But before you set everything up for the fall season, you likely will want to clean up a bit to make sure you aren’t adding dust onto dust.

While you are in the process of cleaning up around the house, it may be a great time to make sure that your chimney is ready for the fall season too. While, yes, the mantle might be ideal for that spooky vampire figurine, we are talking more about chimney cleaning in Edina, MN, rather than your dusting habits.

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Have You Scheduled a Chimney Inspection?

Monday, June 22nd, 2020

chimney-needs-repairSummer is in full swing and it isn’t likely that you are going to be using your fireplace and chimney for the next several months. With that said, this doesn’t mean that your chimney should be completely off your mind. Much like checking on a car that hasn’t been used for a few months to ensure it is still in working condition, you should want to make sure that your fireplace and chimney aren’t deteriorating while not in use.

This time of year is actually when you want to take the time to schedule a chimney inspection. After all, getting a professional out to check on your chimney when you aren’t using it and don’t need it makes things a lot easier for both you and the technician!

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How to Handle Chimney Squatters

Monday, May 25th, 2020

nest-on-top-of-chimney

Springtime is in full swing and summer is right around the corner. You can always tell that winter has ended because of the sudden increase of blooming plants, flourishing foliage, and an abundance of furry and feathered critters around the area. It is always a treat to sit on your porch or in your backyard and hear the birds chirping away in the trees or watch squirrels run around in the grass. Spring is always a season full of life that is thriving just outside your door.

And as cute as those squirrels are you probably want them to stay outside.

While springtime and summer are both wonderful times of the year thanks to the great weather and extra sunshine, they can also be seasons during which you start having problems with your animal neighbors because you don’t see eye to eye–where you see a chimney and fireplace built to keep you warm, they see a great place for a nest and a new home.

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When To Call For Repairs: Your Damper Is Stuck

Monday, January 20th, 2020

fireplace-fire-burningHaving a problem with your chimney is no fun. You want to add that little extra bit of warmth and atmosphere to your home tonight but there is something wrong with your chimney. It is a pain and we understand. That is why we want you to know a little more about when you should call for chimney repairs.

We have a few different topics to discuss on the subject of the different kinds of chimney repair in St. Paul, MN that you may need to address but we don’t want to overwhelm you. That is why we will focus just on issues with your dampers for this particular blog.

Let’s dive in so you can get the repairs you need and enjoy your fireplace again.

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What to Expect from a Chimney Inspection

Monday, December 23rd, 2019

Gathering around the fireplace during a cold evening, or waking up and having breakfast around your fireplace on a Saturday morning, is a great feeling. What isn’t great is when you realize that your fireplace is full of dust and grime, or that there is another problem within your chimney that could threaten the health of everyone in the house.

Taking care of your fireplace and your chimney is an important task. That is why we recommend yearly chimney inspections. An inspection can help to catch a potential problem before you end up needing to evacuate your home or replace your fireplace. But what exactly does a chimney inspection entail and why should you schedule one? We have the answers.

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The Trouble with a Tilting Chimney

Monday, November 25th, 2019

chimney-masonry-worn-brickYou and your friend are standing in your front yard, staring at your house intently. Both of you have begun to tilt your heads just a bit to match the tilt that is beginning to become apparent in your chimney. Your friend says that it seems to add character to your home, emphasizing that it is a long-standing structure that has seen its residents through many a cool winter. However, you know that the mild tilt is an issue that can and will get worse and should be addressed sooner than later.

A tilting chimney can occur in even the most well-maintained chimney. It’s a part of the life cycle in a way. However when you do notice that your chimney is starting to lean one way or another, you really should reach out for chimney restoration in Eden Prarie, MN before the issue escalates to a full replacement.

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“What Part of My Chimney Needs Fixing?”

Monday, October 14th, 2019

chimneyTo the untrained eye, a chimney may look like a simple brick and mortar pillar with a pipe or two at the top. In reality, you know that your chimney has many parts to it. And much like other areas of your home, your chimney needs regular, specialized care.

You want to keep your chimney in good working order. It helps keep your home warm and safe in the cold weather after all. But the question is how do you tell if and where your chimney needs repairs? At the end of the day, it is not only easier but safer to reach out to a professional chimney technician for examination and repair. They will know exactly what to look for and how to address your chimney’s needs safely.

For now however, we can give you a brief description of some parts of your chimney that you might want to check for potential repair needs.

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