Common Misunderstandings People Have About Chimney Sweeping

June 5th, 2023
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Most people’s ideas of chimney sweeping come straight from Mary Poppins. That’s definitely a romantic image, and it does reflect something of what this job was like in the Victorian era, when combustion fires were used everywhere and had such efficiency problems that cleaning was an almost continual job.

Chimney sweeping is still necessary today for homes with fireplaces, but unfortunately most people have a limited understanding of the job, how it’s done, why it’s done, and when it needs to be done. 

We’re long-time experts when it comes to chimney sweeping in Minneapolis, MN, and we’d like to go through some of the common misunderstandings people have about this job.

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What Is a Level 3 Chimney Inspection and When Do I Need One?

May 22nd, 2023
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In our previous blog, we discussed when you need a chimney inspection and the three different levels of inspection. These levels are established by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and are standardized to ensure that homeowners receive the inspections necessary for the situation and to protect their households. 

When you’re looking to have a chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN, you’ll probably only need a Level 1 inspection, which is the standard inspection for a chimney that hasn’t experienced any major problems and is receiving regular use. It consists of inspections of all accessible parts of the chimney to look for cracks, creosote, and structural damage—anything that might trigger a repair need or a higher level of inspection. 

In this post, we’re going to look at the highest level of inspection, Level 3, because people want to know more about how in-depth it goes and why it’s often necessary.

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What to Expect From a Chimney Inspection

March 27th, 2023
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We often recommend that customers call us for a chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN in the fall, before the winter arrives and the fireplace sees extensive use.

However, if you didn’t arrange for a chimney inspection before the winter, it isn’t too late to have it done. This isn’t a service you need to “catch” in time or just forget about—it’s vital you have your home’s chimney inspected by professionals annually. This helps to keep your fireplace and chimney safe, energy efficient, and working the way it should.

What happens when our experts come to your home for a chimney inspection? We’ll go over what you can expect.

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A Tilting Chimney Isn’t Picturesque, It’s a Problem

January 16th, 2023
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We’ve all seen those pretty paintings of cottages with thatched roofs and brick chimneys with a slight tilt to them. In those pictures, things look picturesque and peaceful and they very well may be. Part of that peacefulness comes with a problem though.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking a tilting chimney is quaint because it is actually dangerous for you and everyone in your home.

Professionals know that a variety of problems can lead to a tilt in your chimney. We also know that this is an issue that can be righted with chimney repair in Minneapolis. Learn more about the issue and the solution here.

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Let’s Make Sure a Furry Friend Didn’t Make Your Chimney Their Home

December 5th, 2022

Temperatures have dropped which means that everyone is trying to stay in areas that are warm and dry. This doesn’t apply to just humans; critters and creepy crawlers are trying to find cozy places to hole up for the winter. In fact, they may already have found a spot they love and never want to leave: your chimney.

Your chimney needs to be unobstructed when you want to use it. But if there is a nest stuffed in there or damage to the flue from an animal invasion, you’ll have a hard time getting your fireplace to function properly. Getting a chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN is a great way to see if you need to clear out left-behind animal debris or evict some small invaders from your chimney before the fire is lit.

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Never Ignore a Smelly Chimney

October 10th, 2022

Hoping to use your home’s fireplace and chimney soon? It is a great way to add some much-enjoyed warmth to your home, not to mention making the room itself seem that much cozier.

The problem is, you might be avoiding doing this. Why? Because there is something in your chimney that smells.

A smelly chimney is a problem. Thankfully though, it is also a problem that has a solution. Read on to find out more about what your nose might be picking up on and when you contact us to address the smell.

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Why You Want To Get Any Creosote Out Of Your Chimney

August 15th, 2022
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If you saw that you have a lot of debris coating the sides of a pipe in your home, you’d likely start planning to have that pipe cleaned to avoid clogs and addressed bad smells. The same thought process should apply to your chimney.

While your chimney doesn’t get as much use as your kitchen drain, it is responsible for venting out smoke and soot that doesn’t belong in your home. And these substances can leave behind a residue known as creosote that can actually create problems with that venting process.

Let’s examine what you need to know about creosote and why it is so important to get the substance out of your chimney.

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6 Issues To Contact a Fireplace and Chimney Expert About

August 1st, 2022

A fireplace and its chimney look lovely in your home but they are far more than a part of the decor. Your fireplace and chimney are considered a home system, kind of like your heater.

While the operation and use of your fireplace and chimney aren’t nearly as complicated as that of your furnace, we want to remind you that this system does still need upkeep. Keep our team in mind when you need fireplace or chimney services in Minneapolis, MN. We are professionals you can rely on.

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3 Ways To Keep Your Chimney In Good Condition This Summer

July 4th, 2022

You may not be using your fireplace and chimney system pretty much at all for the next few months. We get that. No one is really up to stoking a fire unless it is to roast marshmallows in the backyard (please don’t do this in your living room fireplace). While you may not be using this indoor system at all it doesn’t mean that you should ignore your chimney until you need it again.

Taking the time to double-check that your chimney is in good condition is something that will benefit your home environment now and later on in the fall too. Here are three different ways that you can ensure your chimney is kept in good condition now and later in the year.

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What To Do When Animals Get Into Your Chimney

June 6th, 2022
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Spring is a lovely season when we get to see plants and animals flourish. While this is wonderful to experience in a majority of cases, it can also cause some annoyances. Just ask anyone with allergies how they feel about all of those flowers blooming!

Extra pollen in the air isn’t the only issue that might come from this time of year. All of those little critters may be looking for a nice place to call home and some of them may mistake your chimney for a great piece of real estate. It’s warm, dry, and safe–at least until you start up the fireplace!

Animals getting into your chimney isn’t something that we advise trying to address yourself. Let the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. help you clear out any unwanted squatters from your chimney.

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