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

What Chimney Sweeps Find on the Job May Surprise You

Monday, October 2nd, 2017

chimney-money-dollarsWe’re sure interesting and unusual things happen on a daily basis at nearly every kind of job, but few are as surprising as what happens when a chimney sweep works. Some of the things found in chimneys by the average chimney sweep every day will seem unusual to many. Some of what a chimney sweep finds is incredibly dangerous, even though it happens every day.

We think it’s our duty to tell you what may be lurking in your chimney, so you know how important it is to call in chimney sweeps every year, preferably before you use it this season. Check out some of the surprises hiding inside the average chimney, and call our team for your next chimney cleaning and inspection in Minneapolis.

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3 Unexpected Signs of a Chimney Fire

Monday, September 25th, 2017

chimney-needs-repairYou would definitely notice if there were a fire in your home, right?

Not necessarily. Chimney fires can come and go without warning. You may never notice the signs, not until a chimney technician inspects your chimney. This is especially true if you don’t know what to look for.

It’s so important to detect chimney fires early so you can get the source of the problem under control. You certainly want to avoid the possibility of a fire spreading to the outside of a home, and each chimney fire increases this likelihood. Here are some ways a chimney sweep can tell you’ve had a chimney fire, some of which may come as a surprise.

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How to Repair a Deteriorating Fireplace

Monday, September 4th, 2017

fireplace-brick-fireWe’re getting excited for the cooler weather to come! It’s almost time to light a fire, gather with loved ones, and feel the cozy warmth of a naturally heated living space. But you are probably a lot less excited about that joy of the coming seasons if your fireplace is not in good shape, if you’ve noticed that parts are not working properly or it’s started to deteriorate.

We want to help you learn what to do about a problematic fireplace. However, we will stress that most fireplace repairs, especially those that carry over to your chimney, should be handled by the pros. Please, feel free to reach out to our professional technicians for more information.

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A Fire Risk in Your Home You May Not Expect

Monday, August 28th, 2017

dryer-vent-lint-cleaningWe spend a lot of time telling people about the hidden fire risks that lurk inside their chimneys and fireplaces (especially those that don’t receive regular cleanings and inspections). Our chimney sweeps are committed to safety, and there’s one safety measure that often goes unchecked.

Today, we want to talk about a part of the home you may rarely, if ever, spend time thinking about. The dryer vent leads out of your dryer and outside of the home. It keeps all that heat out of the house, along with any gases you certainly don’t want in your home—byproducts of combustion.

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The Facts about Animal Removal from Your Chimney

Monday, August 21st, 2017

chimney-masonry-worn-brickMany of the same cute little critters we love seeing videos of on the internet are also considered pests. Raccoons, squirrels, and more of those silly bandits can hide out in your chimney, while birds can get stuck inside or nest atop the chimney. You may love finding and sharing images of some of these animals online, but when they get into your chimney, you can start to worry.

Some chimney technicians, like many of the members of our team, specialize in animal removal from chimneys. Some animals will require the help of animal rescue services to remove. Others will require you to allow them to stay and camp out until they migrate on their own, but there are things you can do to prevent this in the first place. Read on to learn a bit more about how animal removal works when it comes to chimneys.

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What Happens After a Chimney Fire?

Monday, July 24th, 2017

chimney-and-fireWe spend a lot of time warning people about chimney fires, advising homeowners on how to prevent a fire, and sharing information about preventing fires from spreading to the outside of the home. Unfortunately, chimney fires are an all-too-common reality for people who use their fireplace. In our area, it’s essential to know what to do if you encounter a chimney fire, and what will happen to your home as a result.

For more information on chimney fires, or to get services for your chimney and fireplace in Minneapolis, give us a call. For now, read on to find out what can happen to your chimney when a fire starts, how you may not even know about it in the first place, and what to do to detect and repair the damage.

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About Your Chimney Flashing and What Can Go Wrong

Monday, July 10th, 2017

chimney-flashing-repairWe’re not talking about flashing lights above your chimney. “Chimney flashing” is a term that describes the part of the chimney that meets the rooftop, and the way the two are sealed together. Chimney flashing is made of durable materials meant to help prevent leaks and water damage, but it’s still one of the most common areas to require repairs for a chimney.

If chimney flashing is not done properly, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise: a leak from your ceiling. Learn more about this problem and potential prevention and solutions below!

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What’s Wrong with This Chimney?

Monday, July 3rd, 2017

chimney-needs-repairTake a look at the chimney pictured here. It might look like a typical chimney, if not a bit worn with age. But to chimney sweeps, this structure has a couple of major issues. We want to make sure that your home is protected, so we’re helping you learn what might make a chimney fire more likely or what may help it to spread to the outside of the home.

Be sure to schedule inspections and cleaning for your chimney each and every year, so you don’t have to worry about trying to evaluate your chimney on your own. Call our friendly team today!

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Some Alternatives to Clay Tile Flue Liners

Monday, May 29th, 2017

chimney-fire-top-bottomA chimney is not complete without a liner. Chimney fires are more common than you think, and you may have experienced one before without even realizing it. While you should do whatever you can to prevent a chimney fire—using a dry seasoned wood, proper ventilation, regular cleaning—what’s just as important is making sure a fire cannot spread to the outside of the home.

A chimney liner stops flames from potentially spreading to the outside of the house. It helps to prevent chimney fires from occurring in the first place, and reduces water damage to a masonry chimney. There are many different types of chimney liners available, but one receives some critique. Think clay tile is the wrong choice for your next liner? We offer some advice here, but call a chimney sweep for more information about services available in your area.

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A Chimney Sweep’s FAQ About Chimney Cleaning

Monday, May 1st, 2017

chimney-fire-top-bottomIt may not be the prime time of year for chimney sweeps, but we still want to make sure you get the information you need to stay safe. As the weather warms up, it presents the perfect opportunity to repair a damaged chimney, install a new fireplace, or schedule your routine chimney cleaning. Before you do, however, you might have some questions.

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