Creosote is something we deal with every day as professional chimney sweeps and fireplace technicians. It’s likely in your fireplace and chimney right now. Just because it is common, though, that doesn’t mean it’s okay. Creosote makes a chimney dirty, but that doesn’t mean it’s just dirt. Learn all about this fuel-burning byproduct and why you want it out of your chimney ASAP in today’s guide.
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Chimney’ Category
The Dirty Truth about Creosote
Monday, November 13th, 2017How Will You Know a Chimney Needs Repair?
Monday, October 30th, 2017
You often know when a furnace needs repair because it will not produce the right amount of heat. You know when it’s time to fix your car, as it may struggle to start up, or you could have trouble breaking. But when it comes to your home’s chimney, it can be a lot more difficult to tell. When it malfunctions, is it because it needs repair or because you’ve skipped a step while lighting the fire? And how will you know when the masonry is in dire need of some renovation?
We believe that safety is the most important thing for you and your family, which is why we’re here to help. Before you notice major problems with your chimney and fireplace, read our guide on signs to look out for, and why you should call in a chimney sweep regardless.
What Chimney Sweeps Find on the Job May Surprise You
Monday, October 2nd, 2017
We’re sure interesting and unusual things happen on a daily basis at nearly every kind of job, but few are as surprising as what happens when a chimney sweep works. Some of the things found in chimneys by the average chimney sweep every day will seem unusual to many. Some of what a chimney sweep finds is incredibly dangerous, even though it happens every day.
We think it’s our duty to tell you what may be lurking in your chimney, so you know how important it is to call in chimney sweeps every year, preferably before you use it this season. Check out some of the surprises hiding inside the average chimney, and call our team for your next chimney cleaning and inspection in Minneapolis.
3 Unexpected Signs of a Chimney Fire
Monday, September 25th, 2017
You would definitely notice if there were a fire in your home, right?
Not necessarily. Chimney fires can come and go without warning. You may never notice the signs, not until a chimney technician inspects your chimney. This is especially true if you don’t know what to look for.
It’s so important to detect chimney fires early so you can get the source of the problem under control. You certainly want to avoid the possibility of a fire spreading to the outside of a home, and each chimney fire increases this likelihood. Here are some ways a chimney sweep can tell you’ve had a chimney fire, some of which may come as a surprise.
The Facts about Animal Removal from Your Chimney
Monday, August 21st, 2017
Many of the same cute little critters we love seeing videos of on the internet are also considered pests. Raccoons, squirrels, and more of those silly bandits can hide out in your chimney, while birds can get stuck inside or nest atop the chimney. You may love finding and sharing images of some of these animals online, but when they get into your chimney, you can start to worry.
Some chimney technicians, like many of the members of our team, specialize in animal removal from chimneys. Some animals will require the help of animal rescue services to remove. Others will require you to allow them to stay and camp out until they migrate on their own, but there are things you can do to prevent this in the first place. Read on to learn a bit more about how animal removal works when it comes to chimneys.
What Happens After a Chimney Fire?
Monday, July 24th, 2017
We spend a lot of time warning people about chimney fires, advising homeowners on how to prevent a fire, and sharing information about preventing fires from spreading to the outside of the home. Unfortunately, chimney fires are an all-too-common reality for people who use their fireplace. In our area, it’s essential to know what to do if you encounter a chimney fire, and what will happen to your home as a result.
For more information on chimney fires, or to get services for your chimney and fireplace in Minneapolis, give us a call. For now, read on to find out what can happen to your chimney when a fire starts, how you may not even know about it in the first place, and what to do to detect and repair the damage.
About Your Chimney Flashing and What Can Go Wrong
Monday, July 10th, 2017
We’re not talking about flashing lights above your chimney. “Chimney flashing” is a term that describes the part of the chimney that meets the rooftop, and the way the two are sealed together. Chimney flashing is made of durable materials meant to help prevent leaks and water damage, but it’s still one of the most common areas to require repairs for a chimney.
If chimney flashing is not done properly, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise: a leak from your ceiling. Learn more about this problem and potential prevention and solutions below!
What’s Wrong with This Chimney?
Monday, July 3rd, 2017Take a look at the chimney pictured here. It might look like a typical chimney, if not a bit worn with age. But to chimney sweeps, this structure has a couple of major issues. We want to make sure that your home is protected, so we’re helping you learn what might make a chimney fire more likely or what may help it to spread to the outside of the home.
Be sure to schedule inspections and cleaning for your chimney each and every year, so you don’t have to worry about trying to evaluate your chimney on your own. Call our friendly team today!
4 Common Chimney Repairs Homeowners Make in the Off-Season
Monday, June 26th, 2017Summer is finally here, and you’ve quit using your fireplace and chimney for the changing seasons months ago. Why should you have to worry about the condition of your chimney now? If not, you might be stuck with problems that make it impossible to use your fireplace and chimney during the winter. Even worse, you might not know about problems within your chimney that make it incredibly unsafe to use.
Summer is the perfect time to schedule that chimney inspection and make sure your home has an extra layer of protection from fire. Repairing your chimney could also help protect your home from water leaks throughout the year, preventing you from having to spend thousands to for water damage repair and mold restoration. Here are just a few of the repairs we make for homeowners for their chimneys during the off-season.
Is Your Chimney Safe for the Summer?
Monday, June 12th, 2017
You may have heard before that it’s so important to clean out and inspect your chimney each year. Chimney cleaning is a professional service that can protect your home from fires, but should you really worry about this now that temperatures are rising and you don’t plan to use your chimney and fireplace for several months?
We think so. Spring and summer are perhaps the best times to schedule a chimney inspection and sweeping. You can prevent problems that would cause a potential fire in the colder seasons, and even help to prevent damage to your home that can occur at any time of year. Here’s why your chimney might not be safe for summer and why you should call chimney sweeps this season.