It’s wonderful to enjoy a crackling fire when it’s cold outside. But after the long winter months are over, it’s nice to give the house a good spring cleaning. There’s something about being able to enjoy the warm outside air that makes it especially compelling to get indoor spaces freshened up. But how fresh can your home truly be if the chimney hasn’t been inspected, cleaned, and repaired? Spring is not only a great time for spring cleaning but also chimney repair for your Twin Cities area home. 

Most chimneys consist of several parts; a chimney liner, a damper, a smoke chamber, heat-resistant bricks, a slab, and a screen. In order for your chimney to work correctly and funnel fumes, debris, and embers out of your home, all of these parts must be in working order. There are also aesthetics to consider. Common unsightly chimney problems can include broken bricks, crushed or fallen slabs, and defective dampers. All of these issues must be addressed as soon as possible so don’t hesitate to schedule any much-needed chimney repair.

And, in the spring, it’s even easier to schedule a cleaning at a time that’s convenient for you.  Homeowners usually think of chimney maintenance in autumn, when cold weather is around the corner. So, if you schedule yours in the spring you can beat the rush.

Getting your fireplace cleaned in springtime will also help to eliminate fireplace smells, which get much worse in warmer weather. A thoroughly clean and swept flue and fireplace make for a cleaner, fresher-smelling home.

By scheduling your chimney repair now, you can even reduce the possibility of corrosion caused by emissions such as creosote. When they are left on the flue liner and moisture gets in, the result could be serious damage which requires costly repairs.

The severity of any damage sustained over the winter and the extent of needed improvements can be determined by a thorough evaluation performed by us at Vent Guys. We offer all levels of chimney inspections which will check the soundness of the structure and flue, basic connections, and damper functionality. In addition, our technician will ensure the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.

There’s something about spring cleaning a home that just feels great, and it’s even better when the chimney is clean and repaired as well. Contact us today! For reliable and professional chimney repair in the Twin Cities area, call the Vent Guys at 612-492-1342 or contact us and Request Service.

A chimney that receives regular maintenance should give many years of safe and efficient service. However, once a chimney passes into old age, certain problems can arise more frequently. With proper maintenance and repairs this spring, your chimney can work just as well as its younger counterparts. As the trusted name in chimney repair for Edina and the surrounding areas, we’ve put together a list of some of the most common chimney repairs that can help enhance your chimney this spring. 

Tuck Pointing

The bricks and mortar that make up your chimney are likely old. That means there may be signs of cracking and decay in parts of the masonry or throughout the system, leaving the structure vulnerable to seeping water, a chimney’s worst enemy. With tuck pointing, the old mortar is removed by use of a diamond-blade saw, and new mortar applied, restoring the integrity of the chimney structure.

Brick Replacement

Sometimes it isn’t the mortar that needs replacement, it’s the brick. In cases when most of the chimney is healthy and intact with the exception of a few bricks, those in disrepair can be replaced by new bricks.

Chimney Rebuilds

Loose, deteriorated bricks or spalling and decayed mortar that holds the bricks together can eventually cause the chimney to begin leaning to one side and possibly even collapse. When structural damage like this occurs, a chimney rebuild is necessary. A partial rebuild can also be done in cases where a portion of the structure is salvageable. A newly constructed concrete crown finishes up the project. Upon completion, a waterproof sealant is applied to preserve the integrity of the chimney and to protect your investment.

Crown Repair

There is a concrete chimney crown that covers the entirety of the chimney and its overhang should extend outward at least 2 inches in order to protect the chimney chase from water damage. It is often the first part of the chimney to show signs of wear and serves as a barometer of the chimney’s health overall. Any cracks should be promptly repaired to avoid damage to the chimney interior. Depending on the extent of disrepair, our masons can perform crown repair or a complete rebuild of the crown, finishing with a waterproof sealant.

Chimney Lining

Chimney liners provide an extra layer of protection between the chimney wall and your home. This additional protection is critical, as defects commonly appear in the chimney wall, beginning a process that gradually erodes the chimney. As the chimney wall gives way to deterioration, the potential arises for the infiltration of smoke and gases into your home, as well as damage to your home’s interior. A chimney inspection can determine a liner’s condition and if chimney repair is necessary.

Do you have a chimney in need of chimney repair this spring? When you need reliable and professional chimney repair in the Edina area, call Vent Guys at 612-492-1342 or contact us and Request Service.

Has your chimney been acting up this winter? Many homeowners go on to forget these issues come spring and neglect to perform end of season maintenance for their fireplace. This can end up costing them lots of money down the line. If you want to do things right and ensure your fireplace and chimney stay strong and healthy for years, you should invest in chimney repair and cleaning come spring. As the trusted name in chimney repair for Eden Prairie and the surrounding areas, we would like to tell you more reasons chimney repair should be on your spring cleaning to-do list.

Overall Safety. Chimney issues can pose a potential danger to your home and family. That is why routine cleaning, maintenance and repair should be taken seriously. For your chimney to work correctly and funnel fumes, debris, and embers out of your home, all of its parts must be in working order. Many homeowners do not even think about chimney maintenance until temperatures start to cool down again and by then even more damage may have occurred. By noting any issues early during the warm season and addressing them before the cold and busy season returns, your fireplace will be ready for use when the cold strikes.

Harmful Deposits. Another reason to schedule maintenance early is to remove creosote deposits that have built up over the winter. Creosote is harmful to your system and is highly flammable. If you decide to light up a fire on a cool stormy spring night, you could face a higher risk of a chimney fire if these deposits are not cleaned out from winter. Creosote can also cause an odor in your house when mixed with the humid air of summer.

Efficiency & Aesthetics. We are experts in repairing brick on chimneys to not only get them functioning as they should but looking as they should as well. In fact, we can provide a wide variety of chimney repair services including:

• Tuck pointing
• Crown repair
• Chimney sealing
• Masonry and brickwork
• Chimney rebuilds
• Replacing chimney caps, flues or dampers
• Chimney lining or relining
• And more

Interested in scheduling your spring or summer chimney repair? Give us a call at Vent Guys. Annual cleaning and inspection is the best way to keep your chimney safe and working efficiently. We offer inspection which will check the soundness of the structure and flue, basic connections and damper functionality. In addition, our chimney repair technician will ensure the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.

For reliable and professional chimney repair for your Eden Prairie area home or business call Vent Guys at 612-492-1342 or contact us.