You know that your chimney could use a good cleaning, but you don’t want to go through the process of hiring a company to do the work for you. We understand that it can be tough to tell if you’ve got a quality chimney technician working for you, but attempting to do the job on your own is not the way. Professional chimney cleaning helps you to stay safe, and it’s worth it to do some research and find a quality company rather than to attempt it on your own.
A DIY Chimney Sweep Vs. A Professional Chimney Cleaning: 3 Major Differences
January 18th, 2016Fixing Flashing: The Key to Many Chimney Leaks
January 11th, 2016If snow and rain are able to leak into your home, you’ve got some major issues on your hands. Not only is it costly to repair the water damage, but the issue can occur again and again if you don’t narrow down the source of the problem. One of the most common reasons for major roof leaks is poor sealing around the chimney, an area of sheet metal known as flashing.
Think You’re Ready to Use Your Fireplace? Do This First!
January 4th, 2016Book a Chimney Sweep for the New Year
December 28th, 2015The New Year is a time to make plans to have fun, improve your health, save money, and live better. It’s the smallest details that make these New Year’s resolutions achievable, like taking the steps to protect your home and make it a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable space. Schedule chimney cleaning with a qualified chimney sweep in the new year, and you’ll feel more comfortable using your fireplace with the knowledge that your home is safe from the possibility of chimney fires.
Fireplace Safety for the Holiday Season
December 22nd, 2015Far too many accidents occur during the holiday season, a time that should be set aside to rejoice and celebrate. Setting up holiday lights and other decorations is a task responsible for a number of burns, shocks, and falls, but perhaps an even bigger risk to your well-being is when something goes wrong in the fireplace. Prevent fireplace hazards with our list of safety tips, and have a happy holiday season—from all of us here at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.!
It’s the Holiday Season! Make Sure Your Chimney Is Prepared
December 21st, 2015When the holiday season comes around, it’s more important than ever to make sure that your chimney is clean—and not just because you want to impress Santa Claus. When you use your fireplace, creosote gets left behind in the chimney. This tarlike black substance isn’t just unpleasant for Santa to look at; it’s also very dangerous if left unchecked.
How Can You Tell You’ve Chosen a Qualified Chimney Sweep?
December 14th, 2015Unfortunately, there are companies out there in nearly any field that will take your money and sell you a poor quality service or product. An unsafe chimney is a major threat to any home, and the potential for a fire is simply not worth the risk involved with hiring amateurs for an inspection or cleaning. Below, we offer some advice on how you can find a quality chimney sweep in any area.
Smoke from the Chimney: 5 Possible Reasons for Drafting Issues
December 7th, 2015A properly sized chimney is designed to pull air, smoke, and other byproducts up and away from the home. Unfortunately, homeowners often call us to complain about a chimney that sends smoke back into the home, either initially at startup or constantly as you attempt to use the fireplace. The source of the trouble can be a surprising number of issues, and we’ve listed a few of them here. If you’re having trouble with your chimney, be sure to contact your local chimney and fireplace experts.
White Deposits around the Chimney: Is Efflorescence a Big Deal?
November 30th, 2015If you’ve noticed a crystallized white substance or a whitish (or even brown, yellow, or green) powder around your chimney, you’re not alone. This is a common experience for homeowners with masonry chimneys, especially very old ones. And the substance itself can generally clear away just by brushing it, or it may even clear away on its own as the weather changes.
Is a Wood Stove the Best Choice for Your Home Comfort?
November 24th, 2015While many homes in cold climates are constructed with a built-in fireplace, others don’t have this benefit. Although you may be able to retrofit a firebox into a home, or repair a deteriorating chimney, a wood stove might be the better choice for many homes. Wood stoves, which are freestanding units that have a flue to vent smoke and gases to the outdoors, may use firewood or wood pellets to create heat, providing the warmth and coziness for a single room that many people crave during a cold winter night. But is a wood stove right for you?