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

Why You Should Avoid a Cheap Chimney Sweep

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

Cleaning out your chimney once every year (at least!) is so important for your health and wellness, and for the well-being of your home. This process could potentially save your home, as a buildup of debris in the chimney could actually cause a fire to ignite in the chimney and spread to your home.

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Common Structural Problems with Chimneys

Tuesday, February 16th, 2016

When you’re buying a home that is several decades old, you might assume that it’s in pretty good shape. After all, it’s lasted for this long without any problems, right? The worn look of an old chimney is not something every homeowner is concerned with, and it might give the home a rustic, vintage feel anyway. But structural issues with the chimney can actually cause you a lot of trouble, and it may even make your home unsafe.

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3 Reasons You Should Budget for Chimney Cleaning

Monday, February 1st, 2016

Maybe you’ve heard before that you should schedule chimney cleaning every year. But you just aren’t quite sure whether it’s in the budget for you this year. Think you can skip it just this once? We think you’re much better off spending the money for this service now than dealing with any potential consequences.

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5 Things to Know Before Lighting a Fire in Your Fireplace

Monday, January 25th, 2016

At 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., we are committed to your comfort and, more importantly, your safety. In order to ensure both of these things, there are a few things you should know about your fireplace and chimney.

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A DIY Chimney Sweep Vs. A Professional Chimney Cleaning: 3 Major Differences

Monday, January 18th, 2016

You know that your chimney could use a good cleaning, but you don’t want to go through the process of hiring a company to do the work for you. We understand that it can be tough to tell if you’ve got a quality chimney technician working for you, but attempting to do the job on your own is not the way. Professional chimney cleaning helps you to stay safe, and it’s worth it to do some research and find a quality company rather than to attempt it on your own.

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Think You’re Ready to Use Your Fireplace? Do This First!

Monday, January 4th, 2016

You’ve gone all season without using your fireplace. But as temperatures continue to drop, the holidays wind down, and snow falls around your home, you feel compelled to enjoy a cozy night relaxing near the fire.

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It’s the Holiday Season! Make Sure Your Chimney Is Prepared

Monday, December 21st, 2015

When the holiday season comes around, it’s more important than ever to make sure that your chimney is clean—and not just because you want to impress Santa Claus. When you use your fireplace, creosote gets left behind in the chimney. This tarlike black substance isn’t just unpleasant for Santa to look at; it’s also very dangerous if left unchecked. 

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How Can You Tell You’ve Chosen a Qualified Chimney Sweep?

Monday, December 14th, 2015

Unfortunately, there are companies out there in nearly any field that will take your money and sell you a poor quality service or product. An unsafe chimney is a major threat to any home, and the potential for a fire is simply not worth the risk involved with hiring amateurs for an inspection or cleaning. Below, we offer some advice on how you can find a quality chimney sweep in any area.

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White Deposits around the Chimney: Is Efflorescence a Big Deal?

Monday, November 30th, 2015

If you’ve noticed a crystallized white substance or a whitish (or even brown, yellow, or green) powder around your chimney, you’re not alone. This is a common experience for homeowners with masonry chimneys, especially very old ones. And the substance itself can generally clear away just by brushing it, or it may even clear away on its own as the weather changes.

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Is a Wood Stove the Best Choice for Your Home Comfort?

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015

While many homes in cold climates are constructed with a built-in fireplace, others don’t have this benefit. Although you may be able to retrofit a firebox into a home, or repair a deteriorating chimney, a wood stove might be the better choice for many homes. Wood stoves, which are freestanding units that have a flue to vent smoke and gases to the outdoors, may use firewood or wood pellets to create heat, providing the warmth and coziness for a single room that many people crave during a cold winter night. But is a wood stove right for you?

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