Masonry Services in Minneapolis, MN
When your masonry chimney or fireplace needs repairs, you can depend on 2nd Generation Chimneys to provide quality craftsmanship and excellent customer care. Masonry restoration is a delicate process that should be handled by a professional chimney contractor. Although many brick masons can provide re–pointing and waterproofing services, only a certified chimney technician can inspect and clean your chimney system. Chimney fires can be caused by creosote buildup, damage to the liner or crown, and faulty or cracked fireboxes. To prevent these hazards, you should always hire a chimney technician to perform an annual sweeping and level one inspection.
Our qualified technicians are dedicated to the safety of our Minneapolis area customers. Leaning chimneys, cracked crowns, and improper building materials are all causes for concern. Any sweeping service should always include a preliminary inspection to detect and prevent these issues. If you have any questions about masonry restoration and chimney repairs, call us any time to speak with one of our masonry chimney specialists.
Call the experts 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for masonry services in Minneapolis, MN and the surrounding area.
Tuckpointing Masonry Repair
Tuckpointing is a term derived from a technique that was originally used by masons to mask rough and uneven bricks with a layer of smoother bricks, which made older chimneys look like their newer and more expensive counterpart. The key to this technique was filling in gaps in the joints with mortar that closely resembled the original. Over time, masons improved this technique, and it is used today to restore fire and weather damaged masonry chimneys and fireplaces. It is cheaper than replacing an entire chimney system, but it is a rather involved process that should be done by a tuckpointing specialist.
One of the challenges of modern tuckpointing (also called re–pointing or pointing) is still getting the right texture and color to match the original mortar. Our highly skilled technicians will restore your masonry chimney or fireplace to the best possible condition, even after a serious chimney fire. Feel free to give us a call if you’d like to know more about re–pointing and our quality masonry repair services.
Flashing & Fire Stop Repairs
The metal flashing that seals the opening where your chimney meets the roof can often become loose, or get cracked and torn in extreme cases. Open or loose flashing corners are often the reason water leaks into your chimney flue. Not only can this increase the chances of corrosion inside the flue and firebox, but it can also damage the roofing materials and insulation inside the home. Fire stops are also important to maintain because they seal off the areas where the chimney runs through ceilings and crawlspaces, which are often filled with flammable insulation or asbestos in older homes. Proper flashing and fire stop installation is very important, since hazards often occur when there are gaps or bends in the metal. Make sure you set up regular maintenance visits with our chimney technicians to ensure that your home is protected against fires and other hazards. We repair and install cap and step flashing, as well as all sizes and styles of chimney flashing and fire stops.
Brick Fireplace Repairs
Whether you’ve had a chimney fire or water damage, your masonry fireplace and firebox will need repairs to prevent further damage or hazards. Faulty dampers, caps, flashing, or exterior masonry that has not been maintained can all create leaks and moisture problems. When water gets inside the flue and firebox, the mortar joints in the brick fireplace will absorb the moisture and eventually break down and crack. A cracked firebox can be very dangerous since toxic combustion gases can leak into the home, or embers can set fire to the materials just inside the walls around the fireplace. Any time you see obvious needs for repair in your fireplace, such as significant chunks of missing mortar, large gaps, or cracked bricks, call one of our tuckpointing experts as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more chances you create for a potential fire or carbon monoxide leak.
Masonry Repair Services
If you live in the Twin Cities area, call us today for all of your masonry repair service needs. The certified technicians at 2nd Generation will take good care of you, no matter what type of service you need. We also offer annual cleanings, repairs, and professional inspections for masonry fireplaces, and factory built chimney systems.