2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.

How to Tell If Your Need a Chimney Restoration

April 24th, 2023

Restoring a chimney may sound like a large job. Chimneys are usually made of brick and mortar, and doing an extensive restoration requires specialists with the right tools. But sometimes restoration is necessary to keep the chimney in proper shape so that it doesn’t become a possible danger to your house. If a chimney is deteriorating with age or neglect it can cause exhaust gases to enter the home, heat to escape the chimney and trigger fires, and even the chimney collapsing and taking part of the house with it.

We’re experts when it comes to chimney restoration in Minneapolis, MN. We’ve done this job since 2001, and we are one of the largest and most experienced chimney service companies in the country. If you need your chimney restored, you can trust our team for exceptional work.

But how can you tell you have a chimney that needs restoration? We’ll look over six of the signs.

Choosing Which Fireplace Is Best for Your Home

April 10th, 2023

Selecting a fireplace to have in your home is a major decision. Unlike picking a piece of furniture, such as a sectional or maybe a new coffee table, a fireplace is a major installation in your house that becomes part of the home’s structure, something you expect to remain in the house for decades, probably even after you move out. You don’t want to make a hasty decision about the type of fireplace you get.

Fortunately, when it comes to fireplace installation in Saint Paul, MN, you have a great resource: the team at 2nd Generation Chimneys. We are one of the largest and most experienced chimney and fireplace service companies in the country. We install a range of fireplace types, and we’ll help you sort through the choices to find the ideal one for your house. Below, we’ll look at several of the most popular types of fireplaces to help get you started:

What to Expect From a Chimney Inspection

March 27th, 2023

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.

Why Chimney Cleaning Helps Keep You Safe

March 13th, 2023

Your chimney is supposed to provide a one-way exit route for the combustion gases and soot created by a fire in your fireplace. Your chimney may not be able to do this effectively if it’s dirty.

It may feel silly to think of a dirty chimney being a bad thing but it’s true. Over time, especially after a season of heavy use, your chimney flue may become so caked with debris that it starts to do the opposite of what it should. That’s why regular upkeep of your entire fireplace and chimney system is so important.

Let’s discuss the negative impact of a dirty chimney so you know if and when to schedule a chimney cleaning in Minneapolis, MN with our team.

We Can Help Evict Furry Squatters From Your Chimney

February 27th, 2023

While you may not view it this way, a small animal likely sees your chimney and thinks it looks like a great option for shelter. If they can chew past the chimney screen, they get access to a protected, relatively warmer area where they can relax in safety. They may even look into building a nest there!

What seems a convenient find for a small animal is going to be a problem for you as a homeowner. You can’t blame them for wanting to hide from the elements but your chimney is not the place to do it. So, how do you get them out and clear away the debris that they brought with them?

This is exactly why we provide animal removal and sanitization for Minneapolis, MN homes. Let’s work together to keep your chimney clear!

When To Get Fireplace Repairs

February 13th, 2023

Have you been using your fireplace more frequently these days? The cold weather certainly makes that fire a welcome addition to the house, not to mention the ambiance that it adds to your evenings. However, you may have started to notice that your fireplace is looking a bit rougher than usual.

Don’t write off what you notice. There is a reason you’re picking up on these details. The visual indicators presented by a fireplace that needs fireplace repair in Edina, MN are just some of the warning signs to watch for. We’ll describe the others below. With these warning signs in mind, it’ll be that much easier to know when to reach out to us for service.

Flue Cracks and Other Chimney Issues You Might Have

January 30th, 2023

Sometimes, instinct can tell you when something is wrong around you. That’s why parents get that “uh-oh” feeling when their children suddenly get quiet. Other times, you may need some extra help to determine if there is a problem in your environment.

Figuring out whether there is a problem to address with your fireplace or chimney is a situation that falls well into the second category. You may have a sense that something is wrong, but instinct won’t help you diagnose the issue. Figuring out what is wrong with your chimney requires a chimney inspection in Edina, MN in order to determine what the best service is to fix that issue.

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

January 16th, 2023

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.

The Steps to Follow for a Fireplace Installation

December 19th, 2022

christmas-tree-by-fireplace-with-stockings-on-mantel

After returning from a party at a friend’s house, you can’t stop thinking about their fireplace! Yes, the food spread they put together was amazing, but you were also impressed by how well the fireplace brought the room together. What’s more, you realized that the heater wasn’t running all that much because the fireplace kept the room perfectly comfortable.

Whether your visit got you thinking about a fireplace installation in Minneapolis, MN for the first time or you’ve been dreaming about it for years, it’s time to make your fireplace dreams a reality. The experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. are here to help you every step of the way!

3 Steps for Any Fireplace Installation

You’ve decided that you want a fireplace installed in your house. However, it isn’t as easy as waving a magic wand and having the new, beautiful, expertly installed fireplace appear. While calling us will get the process started easily, there are steps to be aware of beforehand so you know what all is entailed.

1. Figure Out the Type of Fireplace You Want

We aren’t just talking about the visual style of your fireplace here although you’ll need to consider that factor too. The biggest question you’ll need to answer when getting a fireplace installed in your house is whether you’re getting a wood-burning or gas-powered fireplace. This can be an easy choice based on whether you already have a gas line connection or whether it’s in your budget to install a gas line in addition to your new fireplace.

2. Determine Where It Should Be

You don’t want to have a technician show up to install your fireplace and tell them they can just “put it anywhere.” This isn’t like a portable heater; a fireplace is installed by making a hole in your wall and installing the fireplace and chimney.

This can be as easy as letting your installer know which room you want the fireplace to be in and determining which part of the room is viable for the installation. Even easier, you may be able to install a gas fireplace insert into the space where your wood-burning fireplace is.

If you have trouble choosing, you can talk to our professionals about the best place to install your fireplace. We’ll make sure that we take your wants and needs and your budget into consideration along with what’s possible for your home.

3. Choose a Time for Your Installation and Keep Your Calendar Clear!

You know what type of fireplace you want to get installed and where you want it. Depending on if you have a fireplace already that you are switching around or you’re installing a fireplace from scratch, you can trust our team to get your installation taken care of. Just be aware that this installation may take a day or it may take several days.

Why not make this holiday season the time that you finally get the fireplace you’ve been dreaming of? Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. to schedule your fireplace installation.

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.