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

We Use the Chim-Scan System for Chimney Inspections

Monday, December 5th, 2016

We want you to have a safe and happy holiday season. But an uninspected chimney can be a serious barrier to this. Spending the holidays around a warm, welcoming fire may seem like the perfect family time, but hidden dangers could lurk in the chimney and fireplace.

Routine chimney cleaning is a good way to protect your home, but it’s nothing without a complete inspection before and after. Call our team for more information about chimney cleaning services, and find out why we use the Chim-Scan video scanner below.

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Could You Fall Victim to a Chimney Cleaning Scam?

Monday, November 28th, 2016

The average homeowner does not know too much about the chimney that vents byproducts away from the fireplace and the home, aside from the basics. You may know about the damper and about selecting seasoned firewood. You may have also heard that you are supposed to have your chimney cleaned once a year. But do you know how to spot an honest, legitimate company to take on that job?

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Common Problems with a Chimney Liner

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016

While masonry chimneys made of brick and mortar may be beautiful and timeless, it’s not a safe material for smoke and other byproducts to move through. That’s why you have a chimney liner—or you should—inside of your chimney that improves ventilation as a fire burns in your fireplace.

Without a good chimney liner, there is a much higher risk of a chimney fire. It could quickly spread to the outside of your home, and that is something you want to avoid at all costs. Here are some common problems with chimney liners you should know about, and which your technician should check for during an inspection.

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Prepare Your Chimney for Snow and Winter Ice

Monday, November 14th, 2016

In the wintertime, you may assume you can light the fireplace without any repercussions. But when you live in an area where snow and ice play a prominent role in the winter’s climate, you need to take some extra precautions.

Here are 3 ways we recommend homeowners get their chimneys ready for the winter. Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season by following our advice.

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Three Things You Must Do Before You Use Your Fireplace and Chimney

Monday, November 7th, 2016

This year, don’t take your comfort and safety for granted. Starting a fire in the fireplace can come with a cost, and you need to be sure your home is as safe as possible before you can enjoy the cozy glow of a fire on a quiet evening with your loved ones.

This year, be sure your home is prepared. Do these three things BEFORE you use your fireplace this year.

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Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors Each Month!

Monday, October 31st, 2016

As a company specializing in chimney and fireplace inspection and cleaning, we want to make sure that every home is as safe as possible throughout the warmer season. Carbon monoxide detectors protect you and your family members from illness and, in some cases, death.

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Is a Pellet Stove Better than a Woodstove?

Monday, October 24th, 2016

Today, you have more options than ever before when you want a wood- or pellet-burning appliance to fill your home with warmth. Rather than traditional wood-burning stoves that require seasoned logs of firewood, pellet stoves burn small wood pellets an inch or less in length.

Pellet stoves certainly have their advantages, but are they the better choice when compared to a traditional woodstove?

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Here’s What Creosote Does to Your Chimney

Monday, October 17th, 2016

Fall is the time to start preparing your home for the cold. That means you may take on some major home improvement projects—like adding in insulation or a new wood stove to your home. Or you might add some smaller things to your home, like a new throw blanket or some warm pajamas.

But there are also some things you should be doing each year, no matter how prepared your home feels. This includes scheduling a chimney inspection and cleaning. This can rid your chimney and fireplace of creosote, a substance that is highly flammable and can be quite dangerous.

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Is It Time to Retire Your Smoke Alarm?

Monday, September 26th, 2016

Our chimney techs and fireplace experts want to make sure that your home is protected from the dangers of a chimney fire—and that you have time to act if smoke does begin to fill your home.

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How to Maintain Your Clothes Dryer

Monday, September 12th, 2016

Certain parts of your home tend to get more attention than others when it comes to cleaning and regular maintenance. You scrub surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom because you see them every day. You vacuum and clean the top of the ceiling fan because the dust makes people sneeze. And you take care of your fireplace because you know that it could be unsafe.

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