You might have heard recently that you need a chimney inspection for one reason or another, perhaps because you are making renovations, leaving a home, or purchasing a home. This will be an involved inspection that may even involve the use of video cameras. But it’s also important to get a routine inspection each year in order to prevent major repairs and, most importantly, potential fire hazards.
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Minneapolis’
What Are Technicians Looking for When They Inspect a Chimney?
Monday, June 13th, 2016Spring and Summer Chimney Problems: What Might Come Up
Monday, June 6th, 2016If you think that you can ignore your chimney and fireplace in the spring and summertime, think again. There are a number of problems that tend to come up in the summertime and spring, though some may be more noticeable than others. Here, we list some common problems, and why we think it’s so important to stay on top of chimney inspections and making sure your chimney is safe all year round.
What Can Happen in the Spring and Summer
In the off-period for your chimney and fireplace, new problems can still appear. Or, older problems can start to reveal themselves, especially if it’s been a long time since you’ve scheduled an inspection and cleaning. Here are some examples:
- Smells in the chimney – In the summer, smells from animal droppings or creosote become more obvious thanks to the humidity in the air.
- Excessive creosote – This is a dangerous problem you might start to notice in the summer, and it can allow a chimney fire to ignite and spread to your home. Have your chimney cleaned each and every year to eliminate this danger.
- Structural problems – Structural problems with the masonry of a chimney may help a fire to spread to the outside of a home. Some may think they add “charm” but remember than this charm could be short-lived.
- Unwanted guests – One common problem that comes up in warm weather is the presence of critters like rodents or birds in the chimney. While bird nest removal of some species may be illegal as long as the nest is active, you can call in a technician afterwards to help you prevent the problem in the future.
What You Should Do
We cannot reiterate this enough: work with a quality chimney and fireplace contractor to have your chimney cleaned out each and every year. And schedule inspections if you suspect a structural problem. It helps you feel better about your family’s safety. And you can be prepared to use your fireplace in the winter.
Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for chimney cleaning and inspections in Minneapolis, MN.
Checking Your Chimney for Creosote
Monday, May 30th, 2016Creosote is one of the most dangerous things you can find inside of a chimney. And yet, it builds up naturally as you burn a fire in your fireplace. There are steps you can take to lessen the buildup and impact of creosote, a black, tarlike substance that is highly combustible. And you should also know what to look for to tell if your creosote problem is out of control.
Spring Cleaning Is About More than the Visible Parts of Your House
Monday, May 16th, 2016Always Wanted a Fireplace? Consider a Wood Stove
Tuesday, May 10th, 2016You’ve always wished for the warmth and coziness that a fireplace brings to a room, but your home just wasn’t built for it. For a classic vintage look and feel, a wood stove may meet your needs. You can retrofit a wood stove into your home, as long as you have a fireplace and chimney expert install proper ventilation and follow all building codes and safety precautions.
Why Smoke Gets into Your Home When You Use the Fireplace
Monday, May 2nd, 2016You light a fire in your fireplace, assuming that you’ll feel more comfortable in no time. But shortly after you build a fire, smoke is sent through the fireplace and back to your home. This is a scary problem that often deserves professional attention in order to prevent fires and other health and safety issues. We’ve provided the list below so that you can ask yourself a few questions before you call in a technician, and know what to tell the chimney sweeps when they arrive.
Should You Worry about Vines Climbing Up the Chimney?
Monday, April 18th, 2016The look of vines climbing up a home’s walls can add beauty to the structure. A bit of color on your walls and on the roof is always a nice touch, and it add to the charm of nearly any home. However, there are some concerns you might not think of when it comes to the greenery on the side of your home. But our experts are often cautious about letting the growth get out of control, at least when it comes to your chimney.
What You Should Know about Structural Issues and Your Chimney
Tuesday, April 12th, 2016A fireplace adds warmth and beauty to the inside of your home, while a chimney gives a welcoming look to the outside of your building. Sometimes, chimneys are so old and worn, they can have structural damage on the outside that you may or may not notice. When you do notice the issue, however, you might think it adds even more of a vintage look and feel, with the occasional masonry damage just adding quirkiness to your home. However, there are some things you should know about your chimney and how structural damage can really affect you.
Creosote: Is This a Risk I Should Worry about with My Chimney?
Monday, March 28th, 2016A common misconception homeowners believe about their chimneys and fireplaces is that they require little to no maintenance. This can unfortunately be a very dangerous mistake to make. Creosote is a real threat, and can not only cause a chimney fire but can also have adverse effects on your health. This substance is a dark brown oil distilled from coal tar that builds up within your chimney.
7 Easy Safety Tips for Using a Fireplace
Monday, March 14th, 2016Fireplaces add a beautiful touch to any home, but despite the elegance it can add to your living room, it seems wasted if you never really use it. You deserve to get warm and cozy in front of a fireplace, but you also want to keep your family members safe. Here, we offer some of the easiest ways to be sure you’re using your chimney and fireplace in the safest possible way.