2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.

How Can I Tell if My Chimney Need a Repair?

June 13th, 2013

Homeowners with working fireplaces know how relaxing and comforting a roaring fire in the living room can be. While fireplaces are a great luxury, though, they can also present some unique hazards if not properly cared for. One of the most important things that you must do if you use a fireplace in your home is to ensure that your chimney is in great working condition. If you have any reason to suspect that you may be in need of professional Minneapolis chimney repair, 2^nd Generation Chimneys is the company to call. Contact us today to schedule the outstanding chimney repair services you need to operate your fire safely and confidently.

In order to schedule any necessary chimney repair services promptly of course, you must be able to recognize some common signs that you are in need of chimney repair. One of the most obvious signs that you need to schedule professional chimney repair is the development of cracks in your chimney. Chimney crowns, for instance, are a common cause of chimney leaks. They are very exposed to the elements, designed to shed water away from the top of a chimney. As the weather fluctuates from freezing winters to hot summers, your crown may cracks and crumble.

You may also notice cracks in the mortar of your chimney. The mortar tends to go before bricks, which are much more durable. It is very likely that, at some point, your mortar will need to be touched up or replaced.

Finally, operational issues most likely point to a need for a professional chimney repair. If you are at all concerned about problems with venting smoke out of your fireplace, contact us immediately. The threat of carbon monoxide exposure should not be taken lightly. Schedule professional chimney repair the moment you notice any problems with its operation.

2^nd Generation Chimneys is happy to answer any questions you may have about the chimney repair process. Give us a call today to learn more. Our Minneapolis chimney repair technicians want to ensure that you are able to use your fireplace safely and with total confidence in the quality of your chimney’s operation.

Tips for Chimney Fire Prevention

June 4th, 2013

Fireplaces are a great addition to many homes and provide warmth and style to any indoor environment. But fireplaces and their chimneys need to be taken care of and respected. Chimney fires are no laughing matter and can be a serious threat to your home and to your safety. Preventing chimney fires should be something that every homeowner is interested in. The St. Paul chimney fire prevention professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys have years of experience cleaning and maintaining all different types of chimneys. We thought it would be a good idea to put together some of the ways that you can potentially protect your home from chimney fires.

St. Paul Chimney Fire Prevention

During the winter you likely use your fireplace on a regular basis. That use can lead to the build-up of creosote and soot on the inside of your chimney lining. These two materials are the result of burning fuel in your fireplace. They are also the most common cause of chimney fires. These are a few of the St. Paul chimney fire prevention steps that you can take to make sure that your chimney keeps working efficiently and safely.

Get regular maintenance – Probably the best way to potentially prevent chimney fires is to get your chimney regularly inspected and cleaned by a professional. During regular maintenance and cleaning visits, our chimney sweeps will thoroughly clean and inspect your chimney for any cracks or issues that could be developing it your chimney’s lining.
Burn the right wood – Make sure that the wood you burn (if you have a wood-burning fireplace) is thoroughly dried. When green, wood can have a lot of resin, water and tannins that can create a lot of creosote when you burn them. Also, evergreens like pine and hemlock tend to have more resin and sap in them which produces more creosote. To help prevent creosote build-up you can burn an aluminum can in your fireplace every once in a while which will help dry out the creosote.

If you’d like to learn more St. Paul chimney fire prevention tips just call 2nd Generation Chimneys today to talk with one of our friendly staff about any of the services that you need.

Happy Memorial Day!

May 27th, 2013

Memorial Day, which is observed on the final Monday of May every year, is an opportunity to honor and commemorate those military personnel who have fallen while serving their country. The day began in the aftermath of the American Civil War, when the country was damaged and in need of remembrance. Originally called Decoration Day, owing to the flowers that would decorate gravesites, its principal purpose has been to mourn those who have died during service; but it’s also a time to come together as a country and take stock of the way that our soldiers have shaped this country.

There is a national moment of silence and various events throughout the day. You may see volunteers putting flags up at your local cemetery or flowers decorating war memorials. It’s also a reprieve from our work schedule that should be enjoyed in tandem with remembrance. We wish you all the best this Memorial Day.

How Is Minneapolis Chimney Relining Done?

May 23rd, 2013

Here in Minnesota you likely use your chimney a lot. All that use can eventually cause problems for your chimney. One of the fastest and easiest ways to both repair cracks and also increase the efficiency of your chimney is to get it relined. Here at 2nd Generation Chimneys we have many years of experience relining all different types of chimneys. We often get asked about how the process actually gets done. We thought it would be a good idea to put together a quick explanation of how our experts perform Minneapolis chimney relining. Give us a call if you’re having any issues with your chimney.

Minneapolis Chimney Relining

There are a couple different methods for relining your chimney. The Minneapolis chimney relining experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys can work with you to figure out which method would be best. The fuel that you use for your fireplace will be a large determining factor in which type of chimney relining material we will use.

Clay tiles – Clay tiles are inexpensive and very common. They can be found almost anywhere and are a good option for many homeowners. The Minneapolis chimney relining professionals at 2nd Generation can help determine if this is the right route for your home.
Metal – Metal relining is another very common chimney relining material. Stainless steel is a good choice for some homeowners because it can be used with many different types of fireplaces.
Cast-in-place – This type of relining involves pouring cements into a mold inside your chimney. The mold forms the cement into a solid cylinder inside of your existing chimney. This is a great option if your chimney is damaged.

If you’ve started to have problems with your chimney just call the friendly Minneapolis chimney relining specialists at 2nd Generation Chimney. We have years of experience working with all different types of chimneys. We’ll be able to get yours back up and working again soon.

Fireplace Repair in Minneapolis and St Paul

May 17th, 2013

If you have a fireplace in your home then you likely use it on a regular basis in order to stay comfortable and also to add ambiance to your home. All that use can really take a toll on your fireplace. If you’re having any issues with your unit call the Minneapolis fireplace repair professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys. We know how important it is for you to stay comfortable in your home which is why we thought it would be good to put together some of the more common fireplace repairs that we see.

Common Fireplace Repairs

Here at 2nd Generation Chimney we’ve responded to countless calls for Minneapolis fireplace repair. These are a few of the most common issues that we see.

Smokey fireplace – When you turn on your fireplace does it produce a lot of smoke? This is a common problem and can be caused by a number of different issues. One of the most common problems is a dirty chimney. If your chimney is dirty it could mean that the smoke isn’t able to efficiently exit. Also, this could also be caused by problems with your flue. The Minneapolis fireplace repair experts at 2nd Generation Chimney can get your system back up and working again soon.
Fireplace leaking water – If your fireplace is leaking water it could be a serious problem. This problem is often caused by water freezing in your chimney and then melting. Over time, it will cause the mortar and bricks to separate and allow rain or snow to get in.
Fireplace not lighting – If your fireplace isn’t lighting properly it could mean that your home isn’t comfortable. Call the Minneapolis fireplace repair professionals at 2nd Generation today.

No matter what type of fireplace you have or what kind of problem you’re having the experts at 2nd Generation Chimney can help. Give us a call today and one of our friendly technicians can get you back up running again fast.

Minneapolis Chimney Cleaning FAQ: What Is that Black Stuff in My Chimney?

May 6th, 2013

When you enjoy the warmth, comfort, and pleasure of a fireplace, you need to make sure that it is in good shape year round. One of the most common question we hear from customers throughout our Minneapolis is concerning the black stuff in your chimney. Creosote is the name for that tar-like substance that accumulates on the parts of your fireplace and chimney. It’s imperative that you have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis to keep your fireplace running smoothly. Let’s take a look at creosote. For superior Minneapolis chimney cleaning service, call the experts at 2^nd Generation Chimneys today!

What is creosote? Creosote is that dark brown or black, and often foul-smelling substance that builds up in your chimney. Its composed of unburned wood particles mixed with condensed flue gases. It is one of the major reasons to have your chimney cleaned. It is toxic and carcinogenic.
What causes it? Creosote is typically caused by three major things: incomplete combustion of firewood, cool surfaces within the chimney, and wet firewood. The latter cause is easy to avoid: use only seasoned dry hardwood to build your fires. Depending on your stove or fireplace, there are some things you can do to make sure that your fuel is combusting properly. Use small amounts of wood and stoke often to decrease smoke density in an airtight stove, and make sure you avoid constant smoldering. Burn your fire hot regularly.
So what? Our reason for alerting you to creosote is because it poses a potential hazard to the safety of your home. While creosote tends to affect wood stoves more than fireplaces because the former’s exhaust gases tend to be cooler, creosote is an issue in any wood-burning device. As creosote accumulates within the chimney, it can become thick and begin to close in on the draft opening. When such accumulations thicken enough, they can actually ignite; chimney fires can disturb the masonry or metal chimney, but they can also lead to house fires when the framing heats up enough.

We hope this gives you some idea about creosote. For comprehensive Minneapolis chimney cleaning, call 2^nd Generation Chimneys today!

What Kind of Tools We Use For Chimney Sweeping in St. Paul

April 30th, 2013

Homeowners throughout the St. Paul, MN area enjoy the comforting glow of fireplaces for much of the year. But creosote, animals, and other debris present challenges to this comfort, which is why you need routine professional chimney sweeping. Unfortunately, many customers have a somewhat antiquated image of what we do, usually associated with lots of soot and black dust, perhaps something out of Mary Poppins. While we retain the chimney sweeper’s cheer of the Disney film, we use only clean, modern techniques to keep your chimney working well throughout the year. In this post, we’d like to explain the basics of the process so that you get a sense of what you’re getting. If you’re looking for St. Paul, MN chimney sweeping, look no further than the experts at 2^nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Call us today!

Brushes. Your chimney sweeper will use a variety of rotary brushes to scrape the creosote from the interior of your chimney safely. These brushes are designed with this task in mind, and specifically built to remove creosote efficiently. They are attached to flexible rods, or to a long flexible hose that goes up and down your chimney, all the way to the top.
Vacuum. In order to keep your home clean, and to prevent the black dust from entering your household, the chimney sweeper uses an industrial vacuum with a filter specially designed to capture micro-particles of dust. The vacuum’s position depends on your chimney and the type of equipment being used, but its high suction rate ensures that the job is done cleanly and efficiently, with minimal disruption to the rest of your home. The sweeper may also recommend covering the chimney area in drop cloths to ensure that your belongings to do not accumulate dust.
Chemicals. If the amount of creosote in your chimney reaches what’s called level 3, then your sweeper may recommend using special chemical agents to remove the creosote, in addition to brushes.

We hope this gives you a preview of the clean, efficient service that we offer. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give the St. Paul, MN chimney sweeping experts at 2^nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. a call today!

What You Need to Know About Chimney Fires and Insurance

April 22nd, 2013

Whenever you use a fireplace or stove that requires the use of a chimney to heat your home, there is the possibility of a chimney fire. While scheduling routine chimney maintenance and professional chimney sweeping services will keep your chimney as safe as possible, you should still understand some basics about chimney fires and insurance. Here is some information about the Minneapolis chimney insurance claims procedure. If you have any further questions, or need to schedule any services for your chimney, contact 2^nd Generation Chimneys. We have the answers to any questions you may have about Minneapolis chimney insurance claims.

First of all, you need to initiate your claim right away. Contact your insurance company to do so, and try to get your claim number as soon as possible. Then you must find a reliable contractor to work with. This contractor will act as a liaison between you and the insurance company you use. Make sure that you are working with a dependable, qualified contractor.

Your contractor may have you sign a contingency contract, which serves as a written agreement between you and the contractor. Many insurance companies will not work with a contractor on a restoration without this type of contract. In most cases, if you have the proper insurance, you will only wind up paying your insurance deductible in the event of a chimney fire. Make sure that you have a good grasp on the details of your insurance policy. You do not want to have a chimney fire occur in your home, only to realize that the resulting damages are not covered by your policy.

Generally speaking, an insurance payment will occur in two phases. You will get a first check, representing the actual cash value, which will be released once your insurer agrees to the damages and their worth. The final replacement check is issued once the project is complete.

When you are looking for information about Minneapolis chimney insurance claims, or if you need a contractor you can work with in complete confidence, call 2^nd Generation Chimneys today. We can handle your evaluations and reports, claim loss recovery and chimney restoration needs. Call today to get started.

Twin Cities: The Importance of Chimney Resurfacing

April 19th, 2013

Check out our video of one of our certified technicians performing smoke chamber resurfacing. As part of our chimney repair services, resurfacing is an important part of maintaining and preserving your chimney and masonry work. Don’t wait until your chimney becomes irreparable to schedule a maintenance call. We service the Twin Cities area so Schedule an appointment today!

How to Tell If You Need Minneapolis Masonry Services

April 15th, 2013

If you have a fireplace in your home that you use regularly then you’re likely enjoying comfortable and efficient heating for your home. Even though chimney and fireplaces can sometimes last up to 100 years they will eventually need repair. For all your Minneapolis masonry services call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys. If you’re having any issues with your home’s fireplace or chimney make sure that you call for a professional immediately. Here are a few of the signs that you should keep an eye out for that could indicate that you need Minneapolis masonry services.

Inefficient Chimney or Flue

If you’ve started to notice smoke coming out into your home from your fireplace it could mean that you need to call 2nd Generation for Minneapolis masonry services. This can sometimes mean that you’re having an issue with your flue or that there are cracks in your chimney letting air in. It may also indicate that there is blockage or creosote build-up inside your chimney. Not only does this mean that your chimney isn’t working well but it could also fill your home with smoke.

Water Leaks

If you see water dripping down into your fireplace then you probably need the Minneapolis masonry services of 2nd Generation Chimney. This problem likely indicates that there are leaks and cracks in your chimney or in the flashing around the chimney that is letting water or melted ice drip down into your chimney. This problem can be remedied by re-sealing the flashing or filling in the holes and cracks that are in your chimney.

For all your Minneapolis masonry services call the friendly specialists at 2nd Generation Chimney. We have years of experience working with all different types of chimney systems and problems. We’ll be able to quickly diagnose the problem and get it fixed for you as soon as possible. Call us today to talk with one of our expert chimney sweeps.

2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Radio Spots

2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog

How Can I Tell if My Chimney Need a Repair?