2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘chimney cleaning’

New Home Chimney Cleaning and Inspection in Minneapolis

Monday, July 30th, 2012

It is essential to have a chimney inspection and chimney cleaning performed when you purchase a new home.  You can never know exactly how the chimney and fireplace were maintained by the previous owner, and as such ensuring it is properly ventilated with a correctly functioning liner and flu is essential to making certain you remain free from fire hazards associated with improper chimney maintenance.  2nd Generation Chimneys is a professional chimney company in Minneapolis that performs these vital chimney services such as chimney inspection and chimney cleaning.  Let us help you and your family stay safe in your new home before you use your new chimney for the first time.

Chimney Inspection and Chimney Cleaning in New Homes

New homes can come with all sorts of unseen problems which a home inspection will normally uncover.  This way you are aware of the potentials prior to purchasing the home. That is why it is important to make certain you schedule a new home chimney inspection and chimney cleaning with a chimney company such as 2nd Generation Chimneys prior to using your new chimney at all.  This way you will ensure you have a clean chimney that is free from creosote buildup which is a major cause of chimney fires, free of soot which restricts airflow, and free of debris which can come from outside.

During the chimney inspection any deposits will be swept, a visual inspection of the fireplace and chimney itself will be performed to identify any construction defects which have occurred, as well as an internal inspection of the chimney with video inspection to ensure correct chimney cleaning has occurred and to look for other issues.

Professional Chimney Company

It is important to hire a professional chimney company in Minneapolis such as 2nd Generation Chimneys that performs regular chimney inspections and chimney cleanings for new homes as well as chimney maintenance services.  Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys and receive quality Minneapolis chimney services for your new home!

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Minneapolis Chimney Sweep Q/A: Why Do I Need Chimney Cleaning if I Have a Pellet Stove?

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Using alternative fuel sources for heat is becoming more and more popular in Minneapolis. Sometimes, though, people get misconceptions in their head when switching over to a different fuel source. If you’ve ever used wood to heat your home with a fireplace before then you hopefully know about the importance of chimney cleaning. Don’t think that just because wood pellets are advertised as “clean burning” that you don’t still need to maintain a clean, safe chimney.

Wood pellets are a clean burning source of heat. They consequently create less creosote than burning wood logs in your fireplace or in a wood burning stove. However, the chimney and flue utilized by these stoves still require professional cleaning, not only to work efficiently but to work safely. Don’t take any chances when heating your Minneapolis home with pellet stoves.

Wood stoves rely on the principle of chimney draft in order to operate. Pellet stoves, on the other hand, require a specially sealed exhaust pipe in or to work properly. This prevents exhaust from spilling out into your living space. A combustion blower within pellet stoves creates air pressure, in turn creating a need for double walled ventilation with a stainless steel interior. Thanks to this forced exhaust system, pellet stoves do not require a vertical rise in order to properly vent. They can be vented horizontally, straight through the wall of your living space.

If you do have a preexisting chimney you can choose to vent through that as well, but you will need a correctly sized stainless steel liner for your chimney in order to ensure proper drafting of the exhaust. This will prevent a drop in pressure cause by an oversized flue, allowing smoke to condense within the chimney and adversely affecting the performance of your stove.

However you choose to vent your pellet stove, whether through horizontal piping or straight up your fireplace’s chimney, it is important that you take all the right steps to ensure proper operation and safety. This includes using the right equipment and flue liners. It also includes professional Minneapolis chimney service. Remember, clean burning does not mean creosote free. Call 2nd Generation Chimney now with any questions you may have.

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Minneapolis Chimney Guide: Professional Chimney Cleaning Steps

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

There are few things as comforting on a cold night as a crackling fire in your living room. No matter how much or how little you use your fireplace it is important to have your chimney cleaned annually. When it comes to cleaning your chimney the only way to ensure that it is safe and structurally sound is to call a Minneapolis chimney cleaning professional. Anyone can sweep the soot out of a chimney, but a professional chimney sweep provides much more service than that. Here is some information about the professional chimney cleaning process.

A professional chimney sweep starts by cleaning and inspecting the fireplace, moving upwards to the flu and chimney. The chimney sweep also inspects the chimney flashing and crown. The chimney flashing is the seal between the joints of your building and the chimney and the crown sits on top of the chimney, protecting the masonry from water and weather damage.

Once the fireplace is cleaned the damper is removed. This is the part of chimney is seals the opening when the fireplace is not in use. Its removal allows for brush access to the smoke shelf and chamber. The smoke chamber functions to reduce backdraft when smoke enters the flue, and the smoke shelf catches falling debris and rain water. It is vital that these areas be clean and unobstructed.

Once the area is cleared it is time to begin the actual sweeping of the chimney. Most professionals will skip the handheld brush for one mounted on a heavy duty drill. This allows for a much more thorough scraping and cleaning of the built up creosote than simply feeding a brush through by hand. Once the brushing is done the crew will vacuum up the mess, being sure to clear the smoke shelf of all debris.

Once the cleaning has been completed, your professional chimney sweep may feed video equipment through the damper opening. This will allow them to inspect the condition and integrity of the chimney flue and mortar joints. Most serious issues with chimneys are discovered during routine chimney sweeping. Video inspection allows for detection of water damage, missing or degraded mortar joints, black stains indicating smoke leakage and a slew of other possible issues.

Once a year, every year, have a Minneapolis chimney professional clean your chimney. If you have any questions regarding this information, the pros at 2nd Generation Chimneys are willing, able and happy to provide answers.

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Handling All Of Your Chimney Needs, 2nd Generations Chimneys

Monday, February 6th, 2012

2nd Generation Chimneys is equipped to handle all of your chimney and maintenance and safety needs. 2nd Generation Chimney Service offers chimney cleaning, restoration, caps and dampers and chimney relining. Whether it’s woodstoves, fireplaces, chimneys, or dryer vents, we get the job done right! Give us a call at 612-922-9600 .  We are Minnesota’s number 1 rated full service chimney company.  To learn more about us visit www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com .

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Recommended & Reliable Chimney Cleaning in Minnesota

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

2nd Generations Chimney’s is Minnesota’s most reliable source for chimney flue safety solutions. They are certified chimney specialists for all types and sizes of chimneys. They provide chimney inspections, sweeping, relining & restoration in Minnesota.  They are the most trusted and recommended chimney service company servicing the Minnesota area.  Professional, thorough and clean.  Call them at 612-922-9600 and to learn more about all their services go online to www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com .


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Inspections and Cleanings Help Reduce Flue Fires

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Did you know annual chimney inspections and cleanings can greatly reduce flue fires?  Dirty flues lead to chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and possible loss of property and life. Many of these fires are caused from the ignition of creosote that builds up in the chimney with normal use of your fireplace.   2nd Generations Chimneys is a complete chimney service company in Minnesota.  Their services include relining, restoration, chimney caps and dampers and chimney cleaning.  They lead the way for best service and products for residential, commercial and industrial building in the Twin Cities and surrounding area.  Call them at 612-922-9600 and visit them online at www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com .

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Minnesota’s Leading Chimney Service Company, 2nd Generation Chimneys

Monday, December 26th, 2011


2nd Generation Chimneys
is Minnestota’s  leading Chimney Service Company. We specialize in fireplace and chimney cleaning, fireplace and chimney repair, chimney sweep services, fireplace and chimney inspection,  chimney restoration and chimney relining.  We are the number one chimney service company in Minnesota.  Give us a call at 612-922-9600 and visit us online at www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com .

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Chimney Cleaning, Relining, Restoration

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Did you know that by using Duraflame or Pine Mountain logs you still need to have your chimney cleaned.  These logs are made from wood product and held together with a wax substance. 2nd Generation Chimneys of Minnesota has been a leader in chimney cleaning, chimney relining and chimney restoration since 2001.  Call them with any questions you have at 612-922-9600 and visit them online at www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com .

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A Better Chimney Service Company, 2nd Generation Chimneys

Monday, December 5th, 2011

You clearly can’t find a better chimney service company in the Twin Cities area. 2nd Generation Chimneys has a rare A+ rating with the BBB, A rating with Angies List and 5 out of 5 stars with Service Magic.  We are licensed, bonded and fully insured.  Give us a call at 612-922-9600 and to learn more about chimney relining, restoration and chimney cleaning services visit www.2ndgenerationchimenys.com .

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Expert Chimney Cleaning, Repair & Restoration

Monday, November 21st, 2011

2nd Generation Chimneys provides expert chimney cleaning, repair and restoration services in Minnesota.  Our goal is to make your home heating and venting systems cleaner, safer, and more energy-efficient. We have developed long-lasting relationships with both our commercial and residential customers which we believe are our greatest asset.  We are dedicated to keeping your family safe and warm.  Call us at 612-922-9600 and to learn more about us and our services visit us at www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com

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