A wood-burning stove or fireplace adds a decorative touch to a room and can provide a warm, cozy area for family to gather. But many people do not always use their wood-burning appliances properly, which can lead to dangerous conditions as well as reduced efficiency. Responsible wood-burning stove and fireplace owners are conscious of the type of wood they burn, the way they build a fire, and how often they schedule service. See why this is in our guide.
3 Things Responsible Wood-Burning Fireplace Owners Do
June 8th, 2015Could Winter Weather Have Damaged Your Chimney?
June 8th, 2015In the spring time, you may not be so concerned with the state of your chimney. However, the winter weather may have done some damage to your chimney, whether or not it was used frequently. For your health and safety in the coming winter, it’s important to schedule a chimney cleaning and inspection visit with a trained professional in order to make sure your chimney remains safe to operate for another year.
Some of the Tools Used by Chimney Sweeps
June 1st, 2015Spring cleaning means it’s time to break out the heavy duty cleaning products and tools and prepare to clean out spaces you haven’t reached in months. With determination and a little bit of elbow grease, you can effectively clean out some of the hardest to reach spots in your home like the ceiling fans, behind the stove, and all of the light fixtures. But one spot in your home you should probably leave alone is the chimney.
What Is a Chimney Cap?
May 25th, 2015One of the most important features of your chimney is the chimney cap, also known as the chimney crown. Some older chimneys do not have a chimney cap in place, and if yours is one of these chimneys, you need to seek installation ASAP. A chimney cap is a simple installation, often a metal crown that sits atop your chimney, but still leaves enough space to vent (usually in the form of a mesh opening). Here’s what makes a chimney cap such a vital installation throughout the year.
3 Mistakes You May Be Making with Your Chimney
May 18th, 2015The way a chimney works is fairly simple, unlike other heating systems, which have many mechanical parts that could run into trouble. Because of this, many people do not realize that a chimney requires a certain amount of attention in order to keep problems from occurring. Over time, your chimney may suffer from water damage or creosote buildup if it does not receive the proper maintenance. Learn about some of the mistakes you may be making with your chimney and what can be done to keep it in good condition.
All about Chimney Liners
May 11th, 2015Without a liner, your chimney would be a major safety hazard. Chimney liners keep heat away from any potentially combustible areas of the home, preventing fires and protecting your family. Homes in the U.S. with chimneys are required to have a flue liner in place, but your flue liner may not necessarily be in the best shape it can be. A chimney professional can tell you what needs to be done in order to maintain your chimney liner, and whether yours requires a replacement, but here is a bit more information to keep you up-to-date about this important safety feature.
3 Types of Chimney Cleaning
May 4th, 2015Winter is finally over in the Minneapolis-St. Paul MN area, and that means one thing for homeowners with chimneys: time to clean. An annual chimney cleaning service can help you keep ahead of build-up and other potential problems, and doing it in the spring leaves your chimney ready to go when fall rolls around and you want to get a fire going again. But not all chimney cleaning services are alike and indeed, which service you need depends on specific circumstances. Here are 3 types of chimney cleaning that you may want to consider this spring – part of keeping your chimney well-maintained.
The Facts about Water Damage and Chimneys
April 27th, 2015Many people assume that their chimney is strong enough to endure quite a bit. Besides, the chimney is located outdoors, and it is designed withstand fire, so it should be sturdy enough to tolerate any instances of poor weather. However, this way of thinking leads many chimneys to go without service for far too long. And without any maintenance at all, your chimney may deteriorate quickly and become a fire risk for your home, all due in part to a seemingly harmless substance: water.
3 Myths about Chimneys that Could Put Your Home at Risk
April 13th, 2015Many people are fairly unfamiliar with the chimney they make use of every winter. It is such a great feeling to walk into a room kept warm and cozy by the light of a glowing fireplace, that you may not take the time to think about what’s really going on inside of the chimney. Chimneys require a certain level of regular care and maintenance, and believing otherwise could put your home and family members in jeopardy. Today, we’ll take a look at three common myths about chimneys, so that you can get the facts and take the proper steps to keep your unit safe.
Myth #1: Chimneys and fireplaces are a great, maintenance-free source of heating.
One of the most dangerous beliefs about fireplaces is that little needs to be done to keep them in good condition. A standard forced-air heating system such as a furnace contains multiple moving and electrical components, and these must all be in good condition if you want the heater to run efficiently and operate correctly and safely. Although it lacks the mechanical complexity of a furnace, your chimney needs just as much maintenance in the form of annual inspections and cleaning. A dirty chimney can lead to a chimney fire, so be sure to get on a chimney cleaning schedule today.
Myth #2: I don’t use my chimney often, so I can skip an inspection this year.
Chimney fires most commonly result when creosote builds up in the chimney flue. Your chimney is meant to provide a pathway for the dangerous byproducts of combustion to move away from the home. However, as condensation forms in the chimney flue, a residue forms from these byproducts known as creosote. If conditions in your chimney are not quite right—if the damper is not adequately opened, for example—creosote may build up more quickly. So even if you don’t use your chimney very often, you may still have a significant buildup, and it is worth it to get an inspection.
Myth #3: A good chimney sweep will get through the job fast.
If a chimney sweep service promises you fast inspection and cleaning, be wary. A chimney expert will take time to make sure that your chimney is in top shape, something that should take over an hour.
When you decide it is time for quality chimney inspections and chimney cleaning in Minneapolis, MN, 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. is the name to trust. Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS
3 Reasons to Schedule Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning
April 13th, 2015The clothes dryer is a convenience that many of us cannot picture life without. Gone are the days of hanging up clothes on a line to dry; today, you simply load up your wet clothes, turn a knob, press a button, and you can expect to have dry, comfortable clothing within the hour. While you know to clean out the lint filter with each cycle, you probably don’t give any additional thought to maintaining your clothes dryer. But when you neglect to schedule professional dryer vent cleaning on a regular basis, you risk a whole lot. Here’s why this service is so valuable.