Winter is finally over in the Minneapolis-St. Paul MN area, and that means one thing for homeowners with chimneys: time to clean. An annual chimney cleaning service can help you keep ahead of build-up and other potential problems, and doing it in the spring leaves your chimney ready to go when fall rolls around and you want to get a fire going again. But not all chimney cleaning services are alike and indeed, which service you need depends on specific circumstances. Here are 3 types of chimney cleaning that you may want to consider this spring – part of keeping your chimney well-maintained.
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Chimney Inspection’
3 Types of Chimney Cleaning
Monday, May 4th, 2015The Facts about Water Damage and Chimneys
Monday, April 27th, 2015Many people assume that their chimney is strong enough to endure quite a bit. Besides, the chimney is located outdoors, and it is designed withstand fire, so it should be sturdy enough to tolerate any instances of poor weather. However, this way of thinking leads many chimneys to go without service for far too long. And without any maintenance at all, your chimney may deteriorate quickly and become a fire risk for your home, all due in part to a seemingly harmless substance: water.
Why You Should Schedule Professional Masonry Chimney Cleaning Today
Monday, April 20th, 2015The masonry chimney is just what you picture when you think of a traditional chimney and fireplace. Masonry chimneys are built of various materials such as brick, mortar, stone, and concrete. This is different from a prefabricated chimney which is preassembled (factory built) and packaged as a single unit with the prefabricated fireplace. These are usually made of metal, though they may be designed to look like a traditional firebox and chimney. Masonry chimneys are often thought to be so durable (often more so than prefab) that they need little care through the year, but this is not the case. Here’s why you should schedule masonry chimney cleaning today (especially if it’s been a long time).
3 Myths about Chimneys that Could Put Your Home at Risk
Monday, April 13th, 2015Many people are fairly unfamiliar with the chimney they make use of every winter. It is such a great feeling to walk into a room kept warm and cozy by the light of a glowing fireplace, that you may not take the time to think about what’s really going on inside of the chimney. Chimneys require a certain level of regular care and maintenance, and believing otherwise could put your home and family members in jeopardy. Today, we’ll take a look at three common myths about chimneys, so that you can get the facts and take the proper steps to keep your unit safe.
Myth #1: Chimneys and fireplaces are a great, maintenance-free source of heating.
One of the most dangerous beliefs about fireplaces is that little needs to be done to keep them in good condition. A standard forced-air heating system such as a furnace contains multiple moving and electrical components, and these must all be in good condition if you want the heater to run efficiently and operate correctly and safely. Although it lacks the mechanical complexity of a furnace, your chimney needs just as much maintenance in the form of annual inspections and cleaning. A dirty chimney can lead to a chimney fire, so be sure to get on a chimney cleaning schedule today.
Myth #2: I don’t use my chimney often, so I can skip an inspection this year.
Chimney fires most commonly result when creosote builds up in the chimney flue. Your chimney is meant to provide a pathway for the dangerous byproducts of combustion to move away from the home. However, as condensation forms in the chimney flue, a residue forms from these byproducts known as creosote. If conditions in your chimney are not quite right—if the damper is not adequately opened, for example—creosote may build up more quickly. So even if you don’t use your chimney very often, you may still have a significant buildup, and it is worth it to get an inspection.
Myth #3: A good chimney sweep will get through the job fast.
If a chimney sweep service promises you fast inspection and cleaning, be wary. A chimney expert will take time to make sure that your chimney is in top shape, something that should take over an hour.
When you decide it is time for quality chimney inspections and chimney cleaning in Minneapolis, MN, 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. is the name to trust. Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS
Do All Chimneys Need Annual Inspection and Cleaning?
Friday, March 27th, 2015As we head into warmer temperatures, many people are shifting their focus from the indoors to the outdoors. However, spring offers a great time to schedule a chimney inspection for your Roseville, MN, home, especially for those who use their chimney and fireplaces heavily during the winter months. So to answer the question, “do all chimneys need inspection?” the answer is a resounding yes. It doesn’t matter if you have a pre-fab chimney, use a pellet stove with low ash or use your chimney only a few times a year: you’ll need your chimney inspected. And the best people to inspect and clean your chimney are trained experts, like the ones at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.
Why Do I Need to Inspect My Chimney?
There are multiple reasons why you need to have your chimney inspected:
- Home insurance coverage – some policies require that homes with working chimneys have annual chimney inspections to keep the policy in force.
- Safety issues – a fireplace and/or chimney that is in disrepair or in need of cleaning can be a dangerous one.
- Reduce and avoid corrosion of your fireplace and flue – combustion by products such as ash, soot and creosote are highly acidic and eat away at masonry and metal. An annual inspection and cleaning removes these acidic byproducts, keeping your chimney in good working order.
- Reduce the chance of a chimney fire developing – creosote, a combustion byproduct that coats the inside of chimneys, is highly flammable; as such, your chimney shouldn’t have more than 1/8th of an inch build-up of creosote. Annual inspection and cleaning help keep the creosote build-up in your chimney low.
- Improves operation and efficiency – chimneys do two things at the same time: they vent and expel combustion byproducts and they help bring oxygen to the fire; when your chimney is dirty, it can’t do these two things properly.
There’s a lot of “rule of thumb” kind of information around about chimney inspection and cleaning, but many of these pieces of advice aren’t correct.
If you have questions about how to maintain your chimney in Roseville, MN, call the people you can trust: 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.
What Happens During a Chimney Inspection?
Thursday, February 5th, 2015The safety of your family is important to you, which is why we feel it is so important for every home chimney to receive inspection once a year. Like any other type of heating equipment, a chimney can pose a safety hazard if it is not regularly maintained. Maintenance includes cleaning problem areas and checking for any damage that could increase your chances of a dangerous chimney fire. Heating equipment is the second leading reason for home fires, and chimney fires take the lead in this category.
Scheduling chimney cleaning and inspection every year can significantly lower your risk of a fire, alerting you to any repair needs and giving you some peace of mind over the condition of your unit. Call a company trusted for chimney inspection and repair and recognized by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Call 2nd Generation Chimneys today.
The Levels of Chimney Inspection
What happens during your next chimney inspection will depend on your needs, the state of your chimney and firebox, and whether you or your technician suspects trouble. There are three stages or levels of chimney inspections.
- Level 1 – A level 1 chimney inspection is recommended for most homeowners as part of annual chimney cleaning. Before chimney cleaning, the technician should inspect your chimney for any large debris, like birds’ nests, and areas with a high concentration of creosote. After cleaning up these types of issues, the technician should inspect the chimney again using a strong light to locate any visible damage.
- Level 2 – Level 2 chimney inspections are a bit more comprehensive, but are necessary after a fire, in case you decide to sell your home, or if you’re upgrading your stove or alternate heating equipment. Technicians will access crawlspaces and use high-tech equipment to assess the state of the chimney.
- Level 3 – Finally, level 3 chimney inspections are recommended only in extreme cases, as the chimney may be disassembled to an extent for a complete inspection.
The technicians at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. are highly trained and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS
What to Look out for When Inspecting Your Chimney
Thursday, January 29th, 2015Any piece of heating equipment can run into trouble from time to time, and sometimes it comes with some scary consequences. Heating systems are the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S., so it’s important to do all you can to prevent this possibility from occurring. And while any piece of heating equipment needs regular inspections and a tune up in order to prevent issues from popping up unexpectedly, chimneys may need a little extra work.
You may wonder: what can I do to prevent a chimney fire? While there are certainly some things you should stay attuned to, at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. we recommend leaving the brunt of the cleaning and inspection work to a professional. We’ve been around since 2001 and are certified by the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) or chimney inspection in Circle Pines and the surrounding area.
Some things to look out for
There are a couple of things that should alert you to trouble when you look at your chimney or firebox. The first is cracked masonry. Cracks and holes force heat to distribute unevenly and may allow flames to escape onto the roof of your home. Especially when the liner is damaged as well (which is common with tile liners), flames are likely to spread. Second, you should pay attention if you notice an excessive buildup of flaky or tar-like creosote. Creosote forms in the lining of a chimney as condensation forms, and with high levels of creosote, even a spark can send flames throughout the chimney.
Leave inspection to professionals
However, you should leave any major inspection tasks to professionals. Inspecting a chimney is hard work, and it also requires a trained eye to locate smaller cracks, holes, and hazards. Amateur chimney inspection may pose a health or safety hazard as well. Besides, experts have the right tools for both inspection and cleaning, which could cost the average homeowner thousands of dollars. Professionals are best suited to recommend changes, such as replacing a worn liner, which could end up saving you and your home from danger.
Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. For chimney inspection in Circle Pines by trained experts, Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS
What Happens During a Level 3 Chimney Inspection?
Monday, October 27th, 2014Your fireplace adds warmth and décor to your home and is a wonderful source of heat that keeps you feeling cozy and content. But without proper maintenance, any type of heating system—boilers, furnaces, and fireplaces alike—becomes a safety hazard. It’s important to schedule chimney inspection every year to ensure your fireplace has proper ventilation and that there are no serious problems that need to be addressed. The National Fire Association and the Chimney Institute of America have established three levels of inspection which all inspectors now use. Level 1 is the most basic type of inspection while Level 3 is used only in rare instances. We’ll go over all of the levels in this guide.
Chimney inspection and chimney cleaning are jobs for professional technicians who know what specific types of problems to look out for. At 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., we’ve been in the business for two generations, so we know the proper way to perform a chimney inspection in White Bear Lake.
Level 1 and 2 Inspections
Level 1 and Level 2 inspections are the most common types that homeowners schedule. A Level 1 chimney inspection is part of your yearly chimney cleaning service. If your contractor does not inspect your chimney along with cleaning service, you should hire a new contractor. This is a routine inspection, during which an inspector checks all of the exposed portions of the chimney to make sure construction is stable.
You will need a Level 2 inspection whenever you make a change to your fireplace. You may, for example, switch to a different fuel source or decide to reline a chimney flue. A technician will need to access your roof and crawlspace, and may require video cameras for inspection.
Level 3 Inspections
Level 3 inspections are only performed when you or your inspector suspect a problem. For this type of inspection, the inspector may need to remove some components of your chimney, such as the chimney crown or parts of the interior chimney wall. In this case, technicians should limit removal only to areas where a problem may be present.
Trust the safety of your home to the trained and certified experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for chimney inspection in White Bear Lake. Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS
When Would I Need a Level 3 Chimney Inspection?
Tuesday, August 5th, 2014A home fireplace is a source of both warmth and beauty for your household. However, the chimney of your fireplace requires routine maintenance and sweeping to keep it safe and properly venting the smoke, heat, and other exhaust. Regular maintenance from certified chimney sweeps involves chimney inspections that will see that your chimney does not have damage or blockages inside it that can lead to safety issues.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) handles the certification of chimney sweeps to perform these inspections. The CSIA categorizes the inspections into three levels. In most cases, a chimney will only require a standard Level 1 inspection to see that it is in good shape and not in need of relining, masonry repairs, or other services. But there are times with a chimney must have additional inspections.
Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. when it is time for your annual chimney inspection in St. Paul, MN. We are fully certified with the CSIA for all three inspection levels, and we can provide any repairs you need to keep your fireplace and your home safe and cozy.
When the Level 3 inspection is necessary
Level 3 is the most extensive of the inspections, and most chimneys will not require one except in extreme cases. The Level 1 inspection covers the chimney basics and any examination that does not require tools to reach unexposed parts of the chimney interior. Level 2 inspections are needed when you make a change to your fireplace, such as switching to a new fuel source or relining the flue. Level 2 inspections are also appropriate when the chimney has suffered a fire or if a storm may have caused damage to it.
A Level 3 inspection is necessary when either a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection indicates that there are hidden problems in the chimney or that special tools are needed to reach concealed areas. These inspections may require accessing the chimney through construction material around it, such as tearing out drywall. In any situation where the certified inspectors suspect that there are potential serious safety hazards within the chimney, they will recommend a full Level 3 inspection.
When a Level 3 inspection is completed, the technicians will be able to tell you what work needs to be done to keep the fireplace safe. You should not use your fireplace until you have had the work completed and another inspection has checked that the chimney no longer presents immediate safety concerns.
Never trust chimney inspections to anyone who lacks CSIA certification. The issues of safety are too important for you to allow amateurs to work on your fireplace or its ventilation system.
Call on professionals like the trained and certified technicians at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for your chimney inspection in St. Paul, MN.
3 Things to Look for with a Chimney Inspection
Friday, May 2nd, 2014A chimney is no more dangerous to your home or your family than any other heating system you might have installed. However, just like a furnace or a boiler, a chimney needs to have regular inspections to keep it safe. You should schedule regular chimney sweeping service every year. As part of it, your chimney technician will provide a Level 1 inspection to make sure that your chimney is in excellent shape. Level 2 and Level 3 inspections may be necessary for chimneys that have sustained damage or received recent upgrades. Your chimney sweep will tell you which level you need.
But which chimney sweep do you need? You can call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. today to receive inspectors with all the qualifications necessary to give you the chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN that will keep your fireplace safe and pleasant all year round.
3 qualities to look for in a chimney inspection service
- Superintendents certified by the CSIA: This is the key quality to look for in a chimney inspection company. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is a non-profit educational organization that has existed for 30 years promoting quality among chimney and venting professionals. Through rigorous testing, the CSIA certifies chimney sweeps and inspectors to perform the three levels of professional inspection. This is considered the industry standard and the first qualification you should look for in anyone who services your chimney.
- Certified by the CCP: Certified Chimney Professionals is the other important industry certification along with the CSIA. Like the CSIA, it demands the highest standards from the people it certifies, requiring passing a test and regular re-certification every two years.
- Extensive chimney services: A company that offers chimney inspections should have a wide range of services to offer chimney owners. This shows a company that has experience and can bring in hands-on knowledge that goes beyond traditional education. (It also means it’s easy for you to schedule repairs from them—no matter what the repair is.)
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. is a comprehensive chimney and fireplace service that handles installation, repairs, masonry work, sweeping, and inspections.
We are certified with the CSIA and CCP, and receive 95% of our business from referrals. You can put your trust in us when it comes to your Chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN.