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

What Is the Process for Restoring My Chimney?

Friday, August 30th, 2013

Does your fireplace no longer work as it once did? Do you find that your heated air does not effectively radiate into your living space, but escapes through the cracks in the chimney? Has your chimney been damaged by fire? There are various ways in which your chimney can be damaged over the years, whether by wear and tear or by fire and water damage. As an integral part of your fireplace, and therefore directly linked to the comfort of your home during the heating season, your chimney needs to be serviced by a professional. While routine fireplace maintenance tasks like chimney sweeping can be helpful, some problems are so severe as to warrant complete chimney restoration. The scale of this job depends on what the problems are, but we can find a unique solution for your home.

Call 2nd Generation Chimneys today for all of your masonry service needs in St. Paul.

Here are some aspects to consider when dealing with chimney restoration in St. Paul.

  • Crown. The crown or mortar cap as it also known is the top of the chimney that prevents water from seeping into the chimney over time and down into the firebox. It is critical to ensure that your crown is in good condition at all times. Whether yours has been damaged by fire or water, it can be detrimental to the integrity of your entire chimney, thus putting your home and your comfort at risk.
  • Mortar damage. The mortar is the material that holds your chimney together. Without it, your dry bricks would simply collapse and the chimney would not be properly sealed. While it tends to last a long time when professionally pointed, it will not last forever. Moisture, as well as fire, can both damage the condition of your mortar joints. When this occurs, your entire chimney is at risk. We can provide comprehensive inspection and repointing as well as sealing to prevent the wear and tear of water over time.

Let 2nd Generation Chimneys take care of your masonry services so that your fireplace and chimney are restored to full functionality and energy efficiency.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Chimney | Comments Off on What Is the Process for Restoring My Chimney?

What Types of Fuel Should I Burn to Minimize Soot and Creosote?

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

Wood-burning fireplaces are rustic, attractive and they provide your home with plenty of warmth. There is a huge variety of fuel that you can burn in your fireplace, but which one produces the least amount of soot and creosote in your chimney? Both creosote and soot are responsible for a large number of chimney fires in the United States, which is why getting regular St. Paul chimney cleaning is so important. Read on below to learn about which types of wood you should burn in your fireplace to avoid creosote and soot build-up in your fireplace.

Whether you need chimney cleaning, repairs, inspections or installations – 2nd Generation Chimneys is here to help!

What are Soot and Creosote?

When you burn wood in your fireplace, it produces a number of byproducts including ash, smoke, soot and creosote. Soot is a black powder that is largely comprised of unburned materials. When it is first produced, soot can be easily vacuumed up or brushed off. But over time, as layers of soot collect on the inside of your chimney, they can form layers that will restrict the flow of air out of your chimney.

Creosote is more tar-like than soot, which is produced by the condensation of many different fire byproducts like wood particles and hydrocarbons. These substances cool as they exit up your chimney and collect as a sticky substance on your chimney walls. In order to remove creosote, you should call 2nd Generation Chimney for your St. Paul chimney cleaning needs. This creosote is incredibly flammable and can create a very hot fire that ignites within your chimney.

What Fuels Should I Burn?

As we mentioned above, there are a lot of different fuels that you can burn in your wood-burning fireplace. Here’s a quick list of some of the things that you can burn to make sure that you limit the amount of soot and creosote that gathers in your chimney.

  • Avoid wet, young wood – When you try to burn wet wood that hasn’t had a chance to dry out, it will likely smolder and produce more smoke than heat. This can cause more creosote to build up in your chimney.
  • Dry wood – There are a couple reasons to make sure that you burn seasoned and dry wood. First, the fire will burn hotter. A hotter fire means that more of the wood will be consumed which will reduce creosote. Also, a hotter fire will keep your chimney warmer and prevent the gases from cooling and condensing into creosote.

For any St. Paul chimney cleaning that you need, just call 2nd Generation Chimneys today.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning | Comments Off on What Types of Fuel Should I Burn to Minimize Soot and Creosote?

Small Repairs now Save Money in the Long Run

Friday, June 28th, 2013

We know the weather doesn’t always cooperate year round in St. Paul, MN, even during the summer. But at 2nd Generation Chimneys, staying on track and doing the job right is our top priority. Our certified and experienced technicians provide outstanding customer service and work hard to meet our deadlines despite the summer showers. Whether your chimney requires a minor repair, masonry repairs, or a partial replacement, you can rely on us to get your chimney in top shape for this winter.

St. Paul’s extreme weather conditions make chimneys susceptible to structural wear and potential long term damage to the chimney’s lining from extensive use. Repairs such as chimney relining and sealing are more cost-effective than having to replace the entire chimney. Keep in mind that routine inspections and annual cleanings can help catch little cracks or other problems early to prevent extensive damage and costly repairs.

To request an estimate or to schedule service, call 2nd Generation Chimneys today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Repair, Chimney Repairs, Chimney Sealant and Resurfacing | Comments Off on Small Repairs now Save Money in the Long Run

Getting to Know Your Minneapolis Chimney: What is a Chimney Crown?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Using a fireplace or wooden stove to heat a home is an antiquated notion to some. To others, though, there is simply nothing more comforting, relaxing and charming than a fire or wood burning stove keeping your home warm. If you are anything like the Minneapolis chimney experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys, the sound and feeling of a comfortable fire is something to really look forward to.

Of course, the condition of your chimney is integral to the safe, successful operation of your fireplace or wood stove. We believe that homeowners should have some general idea of how their chimneys work and what function the different components serve. Here is some information about the chimney crown that sits atop your chimney and the important job that it performs.

Your chimney is exposed all year long to extreme heat and the iciest cold. That can really take a toll over the years. The function of your chimney crown is to protect the structural integrity of your chimney. Generally speaking, the mortar at the top of your chimney is weaker than at other points. To prevent your chimney from degrading from the top down, your chimney crown protects this vulnerable area from the weather throughout the year.

Many homeowners also opt to include a chimney cap on their chimney. Oftentimes the chimney and cap and chimney crown are confused. While the chimney crown is a mortared section of your chimney, the chimney cap is a roofed addition. The function of this chimney component is to prevent rain, snow, leaves and even vermin from entering your chimney. Ideally, a chimney crown and chimney cap will both be utilized in an effort to fully protect your chimney, both inside and out, from any debris or critters that may compromise its integrity.

For more information about the parts and function of your chimney, call the Minneapolis chimney cleaning and sweeping experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys. Our chimney specialists have the answers to any questions you may still have about the importance of your chimney crown. Contact us today for more information.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning | Comments Off on Getting to Know Your Minneapolis Chimney: What is a Chimney Crown?

What is Tuckpointing and Why Do I need it for my Brick Chimney?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

If you’ve never owned a brick chimney or if you’ve never paid any attention to the one that you have, you may not know what tuckpointing is. But if your chimney has started to crack, lean or deteriorate, you may have started to hear about tuckpointing. We thought it would be helpful for our customers in St. Paul to learn more about this process and why it is necessary for chimney repairs. Below we’ve put together a brief description of what tuckpointing is and why you need it for your chimney repairs.

What is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is the process of repairing the mortar joints between bricks. While the actual bricks in your chimney can last up to 100 years, the mortar joints between them can last around 25 years or more. The tuckpointing process involves routing out the old mortar and then replacing it with new, fresh mortar. Here is how the process works for a typical red brick chimney:

  • The old mortar is ground or routed out at a uniform depth.
  • After that, red mortar is filled in to the newly routed grooves.
  • Thin strips are cut out down the middle of the red mortar to form thin grooves.
  • A contrasting color of mortar, normally white, is then filled into the grooves.

In this way, the original clean shape of the bricks and the mortar are recreated.

Why You Need Tuckpointing On Your Chimney

As the mortar joints in your chimney deteriorate they can start to cause some serious problems.

  • Water proofing – As the mortar joints in your chimney deteriorate they can start to let water into your home. You might not even detect this water which could cause mold, mildew and wood rot.
  • Structural stability – Obviously, if the mortar joints start to deteriorate, your chimney won’t be as sturdy.
  • Avoid rebuilding – If you let the mortar joints in your chimney deteriorate too much, you may have to end up tearing it down and rebuilding it.

Chimney Maintenance

Your chimney should be inspected and maintained every 2 to 3 years. With proper maintenance and repair, including tuckpointing, your chimney should potentially have a long life.

If you have any questions about tuckpointing or chimney repair, call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimney. If you think that your chimney needs tuckpointing, call us and we’ll send one of our technicians out to your home to take a look. about this process and why it is necessary for chimney repairs. Below we’ve put together a brief description of what tuckpointing is and why you need it for your chimney repairs.

What is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is the process of repairing the mortar joints between bricks. While the actual bricks in your chimney can last up to 100 years, the mortar joints between them can last around 25 years or more. The tuckpointing process involves routing out the old mortar and then replacing it with new, fresh mortar. Here is how the process works for a typical red brick chimney:

  • The old mortar is ground or routed out at a uniform depth.
  • After that, red mortar is filled in to the newly routed grooves.
  • Thin strips are cut out down the middle of the red mortar to form thin grooves.
  • A contrasting color of mortar, normally white, is then filled into the grooves.

In this way, the original clean shape of the bricks and the mortar are recreated.

Why You Need Tuckpointing On Your Chimney

As the mortar joints in your chimney deteriorate they can start to cause some serious problems.

  • Water proofing – As the mortar joints in your chimney deteriorate they can start to let water into your home. You might not even detect this water which could cause mold, mildew and wood rot.
  • Structural stability – Obviously, if the mortar joints start to deteriorate, your chimney won’t be as sturdy.
  • Avoid rebuilding – If you let the mortar joints in your chimney deteriorate too much, you may have to end up tearing it down and rebuilding it.

Chimney Maintenance

Your chimney should be inspected and maintained every 2 to 3 years. With proper maintenance and repair, including tuckpointing, your chimney should potentially have a long life.

If you have any questions about tuckpointing or chimney repair, call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimney. If you think that your chimney needs tuckpointing, call us and we’ll send one of our technicians out to your home to take a look.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Chimney | Comments Off on What is Tuckpointing and Why Do I need it for my Brick Chimney?

We Sweep Chimneys!

Friday, October 26th, 2012

2nd Generation Chimneys is out and about in your neighborhood sweeping chimneys and getting households ready for the winter season. Our crew is ready for you, so give us a call today and we will come prepared for all your chimney needs. 1-888-PIXLEYS

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Chimney, Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning, Winterizing | Comments Off on We Sweep Chimneys!

St Paul Heating FAQ: How Do Wood-Burning Fireplaces and Stoves Compare to Other Types of Heating Systems?

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Are you thinking of switching your heating system over to a wood-burning fireplace or wood stove? When comparing wood-burning applications to heating systems that run on gas or electricity, you’ll want to consider the benefits and drawbacks of both. At 2nd Generation Chimneys, we clean, repair, and inspect traditional fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, and gas log fireplace inserts. We’ve put together some factors to consider if you are thinking that you might like to install a new fireplace or stove.

Fireplaces

In addition to the aesthetics of a warm fire, a fireplace can be a great source of heat if you are heating a small home. Depending on the price of wood, a traditional fireplace can be an inexpensive way to heat a given area within the home. If you want to install a gas log insert, then you’ll need to factor in the cost of the extra gas piping. Any type of fireplace should be inspected every year according to the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) standards, so this is also something to keep in mind.

In addition to routine chimney cleanings and inspections, you will also have to think about storage space for wood, and the effort involved in starting a fire every day during the winter. Wood needs to be stored in a dry area, and you should only burn seasoned wood, which means that the wood has been completely dried out for at least six months. Other factors include clearance for the chimney, the square footage of the area that you need to heat, and how well your home is insulated. There will be some heat loss due to the use of a chimney, but if your damper, chimney cap, and masonry are all in good condition, there will be less air loss and better efficiency.

Wood Stoves and Pellet Stoves

Wood stoves are a little more efficient than an open fireplace, and depending on the type and model you choose, you can get up to 50,000 BTUs with some wood stoves. There are many different designs, and they can be installed as a freestanding wood stove or inserted into an existing fireplace (depending on height and condition of the chimney flue).

If you are considering a switching to pellet fuel, keep in mind that there are many different heating applications that use pellets. Freestanding pellet stoves are the most common type, and wood pellets are a highly efficient and renewable fuel. In addition, pellet stoves are relatively effortless since they only need to be refueled about once a day. However, there’s more maintenance a regular wood-burning application due to the moving parts in the feeding arm.

Call the St Paul fireplace and chimney experts at 2nd Generation if you would like to learn more.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on St Paul Heating FAQ: How Do Wood-Burning Fireplaces and Stoves Compare to Other Types of Heating Systems?

Minneapolis Chimney Sweeping Question: Why Does My Chimney Need to Be Inspected if I Have a Gas Fireplace?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

When you use a traditional fireplace in Minneapolis, it’s easy to see why you need to have your chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. The smoke going up the chimney leaves residue behind that can eventually become a hazard if not removed. But there are other reasons that it’s important to have your chimney inspected regardless of the type of fireplace you have, which is why it’s still important to get regular inspections even if you have a gas fireplace.

Outside Debris

One of the main reasons to have your chimney inspected is that things can fall into it from outside. Any type of debris has the potential to become a clog in your chimney, which in turn can cause serious ventilation issues in your home. During a regular inspection, a certified Minneapolis chimney inspection professional can easily find and remove anything that may be interfering with the proper movement of exhaust through your chimney.

Structural Issues

Over time, your chimney will invariably develop cracks and other structural issues that need to be addressed to keep it in good shape. Many of these structural issues, if caught early, are very easy to repair. But if they’re not attended to promptly, small cracks and chips can easily get larger, eventually compromising the integrity of the entire structure. Cracks that let in air from outside also change the way air moves through your chimney, making it a less effective ventilation system for your home.

So while a gas fireplace does burn clean, creating no soot or other residue that can be deposited inside your chimney, there are many other reasons it’s important to have your chimney inspected. This usually only needs to be done once a year to ensure that you have a safe and properly functioning chimney to keep fumes away from the living spaces of your home.

For more information about chimney sweeping or inspection in Minneapolis, give 2nd Generation Chimneys a call!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Chimney | Comments Off on Minneapolis Chimney Sweeping Question: Why Does My Chimney Need to Be Inspected if I Have a Gas Fireplace?