Chimney sweep in Coon Rapids, MN Rambler chimney care in Coon Rapids, from Coon Creek to the river
Coon Rapids grew fastest in the 1950s and 1960s, when its population jumped from 2,563 to 30,505. Many homes are ramblers from that boom, and their original masonry chimneys have aged right along with them. We sweep, inspect and repair chimneys in 55433 and 55448.
A city built in the rambler boom
Coon Rapids became a village in 1952 and a city in 1959. In between, houses went up fast. The city is one of the places where rambler builder Orrin Thompson had large developments. Since 2000 the population has stayed close to flat, and the 2020 census counted 25,144 housing units.
A rambler chimney often holds more than one flue. One may serve the fireplace and another the furnace or water heater. When an old furnace is replaced with a high-efficiency model that vents out the side of the house, the water heater may be left alone in a flue built for much more heat. That flue can stay cold and wet inside. Over time, the moisture breaks down mortar and tile. A properly sized liner fixes this.
Crowns, flashing and new roofs
The crown is the concrete slab on top of the chimney. On older ramblers it is often cracked or pulling away from the brick. Water that gets in freezes and pushes the brick apart. Flashing is another weak spot, especially after a reroof. If the roofer reused old flashing or sealed it with caulk alone, leaks can follow. A crown with fine cracks can often be sealed, while one that is broken through needs to be rebuilt. Our chimney repair work covers both crowns and flashing.
Near the Mississippi and Coon Creek
Building the Coon Rapids Dam, from 1912 to 1914, brought the town its first big jump in population. Today, homes in Port Riverwalk sit near Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and others line Coon Creek. A good cap keeps rain, leaves and animals out of the flue, which matters anywhere there are trees and water nearby. Look at the cap each spring, since storms and falling branches can knock it loose.
Common fixes on Coon Rapids ramblers
- Liner sizing after a furnace or water heater change
- Crown repair on original masonry chimneys
- Flashing checks during or after a reroof
- Caps to keep out rain, leaves and animals
We check every flue in the chimney, not just the one over the fireplace.
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.
Coon Rapids chimney FAQ
My Orrin Thompson rambler has a new furnace. Does the chimney need a liner?
It might. If the new furnace vents out the side of the house, the water heater may now be the only thing using a large flue. We measure the flue and tell you if a smaller liner is needed to keep it dry and drafting well.
We live in Port Riverwalk near the dam. Do we need a chimney cap?
Yes, we recommend one on any open flue. A cap with a screen keeps out rain, birds, raccoons and leaves. If your chimney already has one, we check that it is tight and not rusted through.
Which parts of Coon Rapids do you serve?
All of it, in both 55433 and 55448. That includes homes along the Coon Rapids Boulevard corridor, the Riverdale area and the neighborhoods near Bunker Hills Regional Park.
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
Get your Coon Rapids chimney checked
Services in Coon Rapids
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Sources for the local facts on this page