Chimney sweep in Blaine, MN Chimney cleaning and inspection for Blaine's fast-growing neighborhoods
We sweep, inspect and repair chimneys all over Blaine, from the postwar starter homes in the south end to newer areas like The Lakes, Club West and Knoll Creek. Blaine had 70,222 people in the 2020 census, so the chimneys here come in many styles and ages.
South Blaine's postwar starter homes
Blaine grew slowly until after World War II. Then starter-home developments sprang up in the southern part of town, and the population passed 20,000 by 1970. Many of those houses still have their first masonry chimney.
A brick chimney from that era has seen a lot of Minnesota winters. The concrete crown on top cracks and lets water into the brick. The flashing where the chimney meets the roof wears out, often showing up as a stain on a ceiling. The flue liner also matters. When a home gets a new furnace or water heater, the old flue can end up the wrong size for it. That can cause moisture and draft problems inside the chimney. A chimney inspection tells you which of these you are dealing with. Most of these fixes stay simple when they are caught early.
Newer homes from Blaine's building boom
For several years, Blaine led the Twin Cities metro in new home construction. Sand mining here opened thousands of acres of former peat sod farms for development, and newer areas such as The Lakes, Knoll Creek, Club West and Pleasure Creek filled with houses.
Many newer homes use factory-built fireplaces, metal chimneys or gas units instead of solid brick. These need their own kind of care. The metal chase cover on top can rust and leak. Caps loosen in wind. Gas fireplaces still need their vents and glass checked. And on any lot where the ground has shifted, look for gaps where a chimney or chase meets the wall.
One city, two counties
Blaine lies in both Anoka County and Ramsey County. We serve the whole city, on both sides of the county line and in all three ZIP codes. That includes the TPC Twin Cities area and the neighborhoods around Laddie Lake.
What Blaine chimneys usually need
- Crown and flashing checks on postwar brick chimneys
- Liner sizing after a furnace or water heater swap
- Chase cover and cap checks on metal chimneys
- A look for gaps where the chimney meets the house
Not sure if your chimney is brick or metal? If the outside is covered in siding, it is most likely a factory-built chimney inside a framed chase.
Fall is the busy season
Fall is when most people remember the chimney. Book your sweep and inspection before the first cold night, not after it.
Questions from Blaine homeowners
My south Blaine house is from the 1950s or 1960s. What should I check first?
Look at the crown, the flashing and the flue liner first. Those are the parts that wear out first on a chimney from that period. If you have changed your furnace or water heater since the house was built, ask us to check that the flue still fits the new appliance.
What should I watch for on a chimney in The Lakes or Club West?
Look where the chimney or chase meets the house. A crack there, or a chimney that looks like it leans, should be checked before you use the fireplace.
Do you cover the Ramsey County part of Blaine?
Yes. We serve all of Blaine, including 55014, 55434 and 55449, whichever county your home is in. You can book online or call.
What you can count on
- Yearly inspection to NFPA 211The fire code standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents
- A clean living roomDrop cloths, the opening sealed, a vacuum running the whole time
- A straight answerWe show you what we found, and repairs are your call
- Arrival windows you pickBook online and we call before we arrive
Schedule a chimney sweep in Blaine
Sources for the local facts on this page