Chimney sweep in White Bear Lake, MN White Bear Lake chimneys, from the resort era to the postwar boom
White Bear Lake has an unusually high share of postwar housing: 44% of its homes were built from 1940 to 1969, compared with 25% across the metro. More than half of all homes here are now over half a century old. That puts a lot of chimneys at the age when crowns, flashing and liners need work.
A sailing town's oldest homes
Rail service from St. Paul arrived in 1868 and turned White Bear Lake into a summer resort. Lake cottages followed, including Cottage Park and Manitou Island in 1881, and the Fillebrown House on Lake Avenue dates to 1879. About 10% of today's homes were built in 1939 or earlier.
Chimneys from that era were laid with soft lime mortar, and some were built with no flue liner. A cottage meant for summer that is now heated all winter asks far more of its chimney than its builders planned for. Before you relight an old fireplace or add a stove, have the full flue inspected.
The 1950s and 1960s homes
Fast growth after World War II brought the city to about 13,000 people by 1960. Homes from 1940 to 1969 are now the largest share of the housing stock. If yours has its original brick chimney, the crown and flashing are probably due for a look, and the clay liner may have cracked after decades of furnace heat. When a furnace or water heater is replaced, the flue size should be checked as well.
Open water, hard winters
White Bear Lake is one of the largest lakes in the metro. Homes near its shore, or near Bald Eagle Lake, face open wind that drives rain into chimney tops. A good cap and a crown that sheds water are the simplest protection.
White Bear Lake chimney needs
- Crown and flashing repair on 1940s-60s chimneys
- Soft-mortar repointing for prewar brick
- Liner checks after furnace or water heater swaps
- Caps for shoreline homes
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.
Your White Bear Lake chimney questions
My house in Old White Bear predates 1940. What should I watch for?
Look for crumbling mortar, loose bricks near the top and white staining on the brick. Inside, an old flue may have cracked clay tiles or no liner at all. A camera inspection shows what you cannot see from the roof.
Does living on the lake change chimney care?
A little. Open wind off the water pushes more rain into the flue and against the crown. A screened cap and a sealed crown help, and it is smart to check both after a rough winter.
Do you cover both White Bear Lake ZIP codes?
Yes. We serve homes in 55110 and 55127, including Downtown, Ramaley Park and Manitou Island. Our booking page shows open times.
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
Book your White Bear Lake chimney sweep
Services in White Bear Lake
St. Paul and the northern suburbs
Sources for the local facts on this page