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

Minneapolis Chimney Sweeping Tip: Reasons You May Need a Video Chimney Inspection

Monday, July 9th, 2012

There is nothing quite as comforting on a cold night as making use of your Minneapolis fireplace. For those of you who use your fire places regularly the importance of having them swept out is probably well known. Modern technology offers more in the way of just chimney sweeping, though. If you have heard about video chimney inspection or have had it recommended, we’re guessing that you have a few questions. The first question is whether or not video chimney inspection is really necessary. The second is how to decide when to have a video chimney inspection performed. 2nd Generation Chimneys has some information to help answer these questions, and we encourage you to call with any others you may have.

First of all, like any service, chimney inspection is only necessary when there is reason to believe that you will benefit from the service. Our team will never recommend a service unless we truly believe that it will help diagnose a problem that other methods have failed to. When you have your chimney swept out a basic inspection is performed. If one of our trained chimney sweeps finds evidence of a problem with your chimney but is unable to find the cause, a video inspection may be a viable option. Likewise, if one of our customers is concerned about a performance issue with their chimney and we cannot find a reason for it, we will want to examine your chimney more thoroughly.

There are certain situations where it is pretty obvious that a video chimney inspection may be required. If there is evidence of a potential crack or void during the initial sweeping or inspection, for instance, or following a chimney fire. If you plan on relining your chimney flue it  certainly makes sense to ensure the integrity of your chimney beforehand.

The best way to decide whether or not you need a video chimney inspection is through communication. Only work with a professional Minneapolis chimney sweeping company that you trust and whose advice you feel comfortable in taking. If there does not seem to be any cause for a video inspection that’s fine. If your chimney sweep does recommend one, though, you want to be sure that it is because one is actually necessary. Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. if you’re in the Twin Cities area. When you work with our trained, professional and certified team, you’re working with technicians you know you can trust.

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Minneapolis Chimney Guide: Professional Chimney Cleaning Steps

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

There are few things as comforting on a cold night as a crackling fire in your living room. No matter how much or how little you use your fireplace it is important to have your chimney cleaned annually. When it comes to cleaning your chimney the only way to ensure that it is safe and structurally sound is to call a Minneapolis chimney cleaning professional. Anyone can sweep the soot out of a chimney, but a professional chimney sweep provides much more service than that. Here is some information about the professional chimney cleaning process.

A professional chimney sweep starts by cleaning and inspecting the fireplace, moving upwards to the flu and chimney. The chimney sweep also inspects the chimney flashing and crown. The chimney flashing is the seal between the joints of your building and the chimney and the crown sits on top of the chimney, protecting the masonry from water and weather damage.

Once the fireplace is cleaned the damper is removed. This is the part of chimney is seals the opening when the fireplace is not in use. Its removal allows for brush access to the smoke shelf and chamber. The smoke chamber functions to reduce backdraft when smoke enters the flue, and the smoke shelf catches falling debris and rain water. It is vital that these areas be clean and unobstructed.

Once the area is cleared it is time to begin the actual sweeping of the chimney. Most professionals will skip the handheld brush for one mounted on a heavy duty drill. This allows for a much more thorough scraping and cleaning of the built up creosote than simply feeding a brush through by hand. Once the brushing is done the crew will vacuum up the mess, being sure to clear the smoke shelf of all debris.

Once the cleaning has been completed, your professional chimney sweep may feed video equipment through the damper opening. This will allow them to inspect the condition and integrity of the chimney flue and mortar joints. Most serious issues with chimneys are discovered during routine chimney sweeping. Video inspection allows for detection of water damage, missing or degraded mortar joints, black stains indicating smoke leakage and a slew of other possible issues.

Once a year, every year, have a Minneapolis chimney professional clean your chimney. If you have any questions regarding this information, the pros at 2nd Generation Chimneys are willing, able and happy to provide answers.

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Minneapolis Chimney Cleaning and Repair Tips

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

Regular cleaning and inspections are an important part of preventive maintenance for your chimney. Scheduling cleaning and repairs for your chimney will help prevent potential safety hazards in your home such as chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion, and poor ventilation.

Contact 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for any of the following important chimney maintenance services:

  • Firebox inspection and replacement. If your firebox is cracked, it may need replacement. Do not try to replace panels for your firebox on your own. Different types of fireplaces require different types of repairs or replacements, call us for an expert chimney inspection and repair.
  • Water repellant. You do not want to have a cracked and leaking chimney. Many chimneys require water protection to avoid this from happening – and should you have a leaking chimney, it would be dangerous and the repairs are more costly.
  • Do not use your chimney immediately after a chimney fire. You need to be sure your chimney is inspected by a professional. 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. is your Minneapolis and Twin Cities chimney expert – call us and have no worries!
  • Chimney Cleaning. You should have your chimney cleaned and inspected once per year. Even if you are not using your chimney very often, animals can nest in the chimney, and other hazards can present themselves, even with light use.

You should definitely call us if you notice a strong odor coming from your fireplace, or notice other issues with your chimney. We can help with these services and more at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.

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The Importance of a Fully Functional Chimney Liner in Andover

Monday, June 11th, 2012

During recent chimney cleaning appointments in Andover we have noticed a few homes that have a “single wythe” chimney style, which means they do not have a chimney liner or chimney flue.  These single wythe chimneys only consist of a single layer of brick, which threatens the safety and structure of the entire chimney.  Problems venting gases and smoke also quickly arise with these types of chimneys if there are any cracks or structural damage with the chimney.  Sparks, ambers and hot smoke can easily escape from these cracks in single wythe chimneys as well.

In many cities across the country it is actually illegal to build a chimney without a chimney liner.  There are so many benefits to having a chimney liner that it has become a mandatory aspect of chimneys.

Another old chimney building trend that we have noticed during chimney sweeping assignments is using one chimney column to vent chimney smoke and gases from combustion based heating equipment.  This is never a good idea to do because the ventilation of a chimney is not built the same as the ventilation of a fireplace, so the ability for a chimney to remove harmful gases from a home will be reduced.

If you notice a reduction in your chimney’s ability to vent smoke or fumes out of your home it is time to call 2nd Generation Chimneys.  We will inspect your entire chimney to determine what the problem is.  Whether all you need is a quick chimney cleaning, or a few chimney repairs we will be able to help.

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Why Should You Have Water Repellant on Your Minneapolis Chimney?

Monday, April 16th, 2012

In Minneapolis there are a lot of myths about water repellants and when they are useful or not useful for a chimney. The truth is that almost all chimneys should have some sort of chimney sealant and resurfacing applied to them to avoid easily preventable water damage that can not only destroy the chimney face but pose a danger to you and your family.

What Water Repellant Does

Water repellant is used to seal up the masonry on the outside of your chimney. This is necessary because of the constant freeze and thaw cycles that a chimney goes through each winter. Water is absorbed by the mortar and bricks and then freezes in cold temperatures. This weakens the bricks and when it thaws, the bricks crumble or break free. It might take months or even years, but eventually extensive chimney repairs will be needed.

A properly selected water repellant stops this from happening by blocking up to 99% of the moisture that enters the mortar joints and bricks and keeping the chimney dry both inside and out.

The Problem with Some Water Repellants

The problem and the reason many people are hesitant to use water repellants is that they can also trap water inside the chimney if the wrong ones are applied. Sealers that form a film on the masonry, bond to the masonry or don’t allow enough air to breathe through the masonry risk sealing moisture inside the chimney and causing even more damage.

The right ones will penetrate deep into the chimney and bond with the masonry on a chemical level, blocking moisture without blocking everything, thereby stopping water from entering and leaving.

Water Repellants are Important

Chimneys will be subjected to all forms of weather – from rain to snow to sleet and wind – and that means they will deteriorate over time if not treated. To give your chimney the protection it needs and reduce the need for repairs, make sure you have someone you trust use the right kind of water repellant for your chimney.  Call 2nd Generation Chimneys with any questions.

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Types of Chimney Liners For Minneapolis

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

Many homeowners are shocked to find that there are so many different kinds of chimney liners for Minneapolis homes on the market. Each type of liner is designed and optimized to provide protection for your chimney and home from different types of gasses released at different temperatures. That is why it is so important to have a full chimney inspection completed whenever you upgrade or change your heating system. Here are some of the liner types and what they offer.

  • Clay Tile – Clay tile is the most common and inexpensive of flue liners. However, clay tiles are only effective for wood fires and fireplaces as they are not effective in containing the liquid byproducts of high efficiency gas appliances and fireplaces. Additionally, if there is a chimney fire, clay tiles will shatter.
  • Stainless Steel – Stainless steel can be cast in multiple shapes, is very flexible and is effective for almost any type of wood furnace or stove. Rarely used in new chimneys, stainless steel is often used for upgrading existing wood-only chimneys.
  • Aluminum – Aluminum can be cast to varying degrees of thickness to make it flexible or rigid depending on your needs.  It is commonly used to vent gas appliances as it is does a better job of removing liquid byproducts without allowing them to cool since it conducts little heat.
  • Cast in Place – Cast in place liners are made from cement-like material that is cast inside the chimney to provide a natural passageway for the gasses being released. Cast-in place liners are good for repairing chimneys that are deteriorating naturally or that have had fires. It works with all types of fuel as well and can add many years of life to a chimney.

As you can see, the type of liner you choose will depend largely on the type of fuel you burn and how you choose to use it. The best option is to talk to 2nd Generation Chimneys about the best option for your particular circumstances and learn what they have to offer.

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Minneapolis Chimney Care Tips: Chimney Video Inspections

Monday, February 13th, 2012

In Minneapolis improperly lined chimneys, deteriorating interiors or blockages from creosote buildup or animal debris can all be dangerous for you and your family and in some cases present potential fire hazards. To avoid these problems without having your chimney cleaned more often than is necessary, chimney video inspection allows you to see what is happening inside your chimney at an affordable cost.

What You Are Looking for

Chimney video inspection services are designed to catch little things that would be otherwise impossible to see with the naked eye. These include:

  • Poor construction
  • Fire damage
  • Poor gas appliance connections
  • Missing Tile Liners or Mortar Joints
  • Missing or Hidden Breachings
  • Blockages
  • Thimble Holes
  • Bad Connections

All of these things can require chimney repairs liner and present danger to you and your family if not properly fixed but many of them cannot be easily seen from inside the house without a video line. The easy solution is to look in the chimney.

When to Get a Video Inspection

Video inspections are useful in many situations. You may opt to have a video inspection done before you buy a home for the first time or before you have a new heating system installed to ensure there are no hidden costs you’ll need to pay.

Insurance adjusters and fire inspectors use video inspection after a fire to determine what caused it; you should be proactive and use the same technology before anything like that can occur. Even if you find nothing during a video inspection of your chimney, you will have the peace of mind knowing that your chimney is in good shape, ready to prevent any potential future problems for years to come.

The last thing anyone wants is a bum chimney leaking acidic liquid into their home or posing a fire hazard. Use video inspection to avoid these problems and you’ll be set.  Call 2nd Generation Chimneys with any questions.

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Why Are Chimney Inspections Important in Minneapolis

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

In Minneapolis whether you use your fireplace on a regular basis or not, it’s always a good idea to have someone come out once a year or so to clean and inspect your chimney. Because the truth is that you have no idea what’s going on in that part of your house or up on the roof.

In general, you wouldn’t notice that there was a problem on the roof or in the chimney until it got bad enough to generate symptoms inside like a leaky ceiling. And if your chimney isn’t in good shape when you do go to use your fireplace, you could be creating a hazardous situation for yourself and your family.

There simply isn’t much about your chimney that you can discern with the naked eye or from the ground. In fact, the portion of your chimney that’s visible at all is really a very small percentage of the whole. There could be all types of structural problems hidden deep within the chimney that aren’t causing noticeable problems yet but that could begin to develop into larger issues if left untreated over time.

Just like with anything else, it’s best to get chimney repairs done early before they become larger problems. While a chimney may seem like a pretty straightforward piece of equipment, it actually has to retain a certain set of characteristics to make sure it functions properly and channels exhaust from a fire out properly.

The airflow through a chimney is carefully controlled and regulated. Any small defect or crack in the structure can cause smoke and other dangerous gasses to stay in the house rather than traveling outward. Also, just about anything can fall into your chimney during the year, and that may lead to partial or full blockages of the channel. If you don’t have your chimney checked before you use it, you’re very likely to wind up with an unpleasant surprise when you do want to curl up in front of a cozy fire.

Another side benefit of having your chimney inspected and cleaned is that it winds up getting a professional up on your roof looking around. Aside from chimney problems, they may also be able to spot damage or decay in part of your roof that you’ll be able to get fixed sooner rather than later.  So contact your chimney experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys for your next chimney inspection.

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