Want to know how your fireplace or stove sizes up to the one in your neighbor’s home? Today, we take a look at a few different options for fireplace style and fuel type. Whether you’re in the market for a new system or wondering how your fireplace sizes up, our chimney sweeps want to make sure you have the information you need.
Fireplace Pros and Cons: Wood-Burning, Gas, and Electric
March 6th, 2017Why Do You Need to Have the Dryer Vents Cleaned?
February 20th, 2017
At 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., we’re advocates for home safety, encouraging homeowners to schedule professional chimney sweep services in order to prevent dangerous chimney and home fires. We also encourage regular dryer vent cleaning, but some people are not sure how the two are connected and why dryer vent cleaning is a necessary home safety measure.
Here, we discuss what you may risk by failing to clean the vents that lead from your dryer to the outdoors. We also give you some tools to detect potential safety risks, but be sure to call a professional technician for a thorough inspection and cleaning of your dryer ducts.
Should You Shut off Your Heating System While You Use the Fireplace?
February 14th, 2017There’s nothing like a fireplace to warm up in front of with a warm cup of cocoa while the family gathers around to watch a movie or enjoy some quality time together. You might feel like this is all the comfort you need on a cold night, so you go to the thermostat to shut it off.
But we’re here to warn you that this may not be your best option.
Busting 4 Myths about Chimneys
February 7th, 2017
Chimneys are fairly simple structures when compared to other types of devices we use to stay comfortable. They use the laws of physics to vent smoke outside of the home, and there are not many moving parts aside from, perhaps, a damper you open and shut as needed.
It’s precisely this simplicity, however, that allows for so many misconceptions about fireplaces and chimneys. Many people skip the maintenance necessary to keep a home safe, or decide to try it their own, and this is a huge risk. Below, we break down 4 myths about chimneys that we hear all too often, so that you have the information necessary to keep your household safer.
Keep Heat in Your Home with 4 Fireplace and Chimney Tips
January 23rd, 2017A fireplace is a soothing, comforting source of heat when the whole family is gathered in the living room, playing games or watching television and making the most of a cold evening.
We hope we don’t have to tell you that you shouldn’t be using your fireplace as a primary source of heat. This is expensive, first of all, and it can be unsafe. You should never use a fireplace unattended, and it can only really heat one area of the home anyway.
This winter, you may use both your heating system and your fireplace. If so, we want to make sure your home works as efficiently as possible and that you get the most out of both of these comfort systems. Follow these tips to make sure your fireplace and chimney don’t contribute to higher energy bills than you need.
Why It’s So Important to Have Certified Chimney Sweeps on the Job
January 17th, 2017You wouldn’t hire a mechanic to be your doctor—or vice versa—so why would you choose a random “handyman” to clean your chimney? A dirty chimney is dangerous, greatly increasing your chances of a home fire, and it’s something you should have cleaned every year.
Certified chimney sweeps have gone through training and testing to prove their expertise, and you should only hire someone with the right credit for the job.
Does Your Family Have a Fire Escape Plan?
January 16th, 2017Fire safety is an often-neglected topic in households. You teach kids about fire alarms and warn them of the dangers of fires and heat-producing appliances, but you may never take the time to plan what would happen if there were a fire in your home.
A complete plan is more than realizing you need to get out in case of a fire. You should have a complete escape route, meeting place, and a plan for what to do next, so talk to your family and solidify your plans today!
Burning the Right Wood in Your Fireplace
January 9th, 2017Choosing the wrong firewood can result in an inefficient winter—and you may run out of fuel quickly. Alternatively, the wrong firewood may mean the fire does not burn hot enough, or there could even be a serious safety issue.
Make sure you have the right firewood, seasoned appropriately, to get you through the winter (or reconsider using the fireplace!).
Start the New Year Right with a Chimney Inspection
January 2nd, 2017The new year is a time for a new start. If you missed out on chimney maintenance in the beginning of the winter, it’s not too late! We want every homeowner to have the opportunity to ensure that their chimneys are in tip-top shape, so that they can prevent potential home fires, water damage, and other issues.
Schedule a chimney inspection with a local chimney sweep. It’s important!
Failure to Clean Dryer Vents Leads to Fires
December 26th, 2016Dry winter air can intensify the possibility of a home fire. And some of the most inconspicuous things in your home could be responsible for starting a fire that spreads to the outside of your home. One of these is a home’s clothes dryer.
Clothes dryer fires are surprisingly common, and the number one reason for a dryer fire is lack of maintenance on the part of the homeowner. This may be more involved than you think.