Chimney sweep in Brooklyn Center, MN Keeping Brooklyn Center's postwar chimneys sound
Most of Brooklyn Center was built between the 1950s and the 1970s, and the city was almost fully built out by the 1980s. Chimneys on homes that age have taken decades of Minnesota weather. We sweep, inspect and repair them in 55429 and 55430.
From market gardens to a full city
Brooklyn Center was settled in 1852 and became a village in 1911, with about 500 people. It stayed mostly rural, with market gardens, until after World War II. Then the population jumped from 4,300 in 1950 to 24,356 in 1960. Today most of the land in the city is single-family homes.
That means a lot of houses of about the same age, with chimney parts that have aged together. Crowns crack and let water into the core. Mortar wears away near the top, where weather hits hardest. Flashing pulls away from the brick and leaks into the attic or a ceiling.
Older blocks in the southeast corner
Some homes in the city's southeastern corner went up earlier, between World War I and the 1930s. Chimneys from that time may have softer mortar and clay liners that are cracked or missing in spots. Before you light a fire in one after a long break, have the whole flue looked at. A damaged liner is usually fixed by adding a stainless steel liner matched to your stove, insert or furnace. Learn more on our chimney repair page.
Lakes, a creek and the river
The Mississippi River forms the eastern boundary. Upper Twin Lake covers 117 acres, Palmer Lake Park has over 200 acres, and Shingle Creek runs through town. Rooftops beside open water and park land take more wind-driven rain. A cap keeps water and animals out, and a sealed crown sends water away from the flue.
Brooklyn Center chimney checklist
- Crown and top-course mortar on 1950s-70s chimneys
- Flashing reseal where the chimney meets the roof
- Full-flue check for older homes in the southeast corner
- Caps for homes by the lakes and the creek
If your furnace or water heater was replaced and still vents into the chimney, ask for a liner check during your visit.
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.
Brooklyn Center homeowner questions
My Brooklyn Center house is from the 1950s. Is the original chimney still safe?
It may be, but only an inspection can tell you. The parts most likely to fail are the crown, the top few rows of mortar, and the clay liner. A camera check shows liner cracks you can't see from the fireplace.
I live near the Twin Lakes. Why does my chimney leak in storms?
Wind-driven rain is the usual cause. It gets in past a missing cap, a cracked crown or loose flashing. Homes by Upper and Middle Twin Lake catch more of that wind, so fixing the top of the chimney often stops the leak.
Do you work in all of Brooklyn Center?
Yes. We serve 55429 and 55430, including areas like Garden City, Happy Hollow, the Twin Lakes and the blocks around the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Pick a time on our booking page.
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
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Services in Brooklyn Center
The north metro