While there are local code and design restrictions to consider, it is definitely possible to add a chimney to a home built without one, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association.
Do you know that a retrofit chimney cap can be mounted inside the flue in the event there isn't enough elevation to install the cap to the exterior rim of the chimney? Even if your setup wasn't originally outfitted with a cap, you can still benefit by adding one.
Regular inspection and cleaning of your chimney is important for several reasons. Not only does this significantly reduce the potential for a chimney fire,, but it can also help to preserve and protect your chimney’s infrastructure over the long term.
The origins of the word “flue” are obscure, although some trace it to the Old French, fluie, flow or stream. Since the 1500s, it has been used to describe a tube, pipe or shaft to channel smoke, air or gasses, as in the classic chimney flue.
Do you know that creosote buildup, that black residue on the interior of your chimney, can make your home smell smoky and stale? You may not notice it in winter when you're using the fireplace, but you will notice it during the summer months.
Did you know that the joints of your chimney can show significant signs of deterioration even when the bricks have many useful years left in them? Rest assured that we’re always happy to help you restore your chimney so that you can get as much use from it as possible.
If you don't have a chimney cap, it's something you should strongly consider. By blocking off the top of your chimney, rain will not enter. The rain can slowly erode the bricks and also create musty, moldy odor in your chimney.
Have you been toying with the idea of handling repairs to your chimney on your own as a way to save money? If you get up on the roof and realize that the necessary repairs are more involved than you thought, we’re always ready to step in.
Chimneys in historic homes are more likely to need repair or replacement than newer homes due to the use of oversized, high-powered, coal-burning boilers. Chimneys built before the use of natural gas or oil for heat have a greater risk of condensation and damage because they are the most vulnerable.
Let's be honest. Chimney installation is daunting. You need an anchor plate or base on a level floor surface, you have to measure your chimney's outside diameter, calculate a lot of math, align and attach the chimney correctly, and cut a hole through your roof. Who wants to do that when you can call a professional?
Since it doesn’t have to be all that cold outside in order to enjoy a night in front of the fireplace, installing a new fireplace and chimney could give you more use than you realized. Remember, the type of fireplace you can install may depend on the feasibility of placing the appropriate chimney.
There is one obvious sign that your chimney is in need of repair and that is failing mortar joints. If you have damaged mortar joints, a condition marked by large unsightly cracks in the masonry, you will need to have it fixed right away, as this could be dangerous.
Carved brick chimneys were characteristic of late Gothic Tudor buildings, like the ones at Thornbury Castle, built in 1514. The intricate details made the structure appear more like a castle than a home.
Not all brick chimneys are created equal. The best ones are built from high-heat bricks subjected to temperatures approaching 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes the minerals in the clay and shale to vitrify and fuse, creating a durable, long-lasting brick.
What is an inflatable chimney balloon? It is a device that can be placed in your chimney and can stop warm air from leaving through the chimney and cool air from coming into the home when it isn’t cold enough for the fireplace to be used.
A chimney is a common part of a home that allows hot gases from a fireplace, stove or boiler to vent into the outside atmosphere through a vertical structure. Chimneys can also be a part of commercial buildings.
Having your chimney company install a fireback will enable your chimney to radiate more useable heat. In fact, firebacks installed against the back wall of your fireplace allow more radiated heat to disperse throughout the room, increasing the look and feel of the warm firelight and heat.
The ancient Romans largely used small stoves which didn't produce much smoke, but their bakeries still produced a lot of smoke. To counter that, they invented early chimneys, which were tubes that drew the smoke away from the fires and outside.
Chimneys that are disconnected or loose because of rust and corrosion can be repaired quite easily, if you have the right professional to do the job. Masonry, or brick, chimneys are especially susceptible to cracks and crumbling.
We recognize that the chimney sticking out of the top of your roof can do a lot for your home’s curb appeal. If your chimney has clearly seen better days, you may want to have it repaired or install a new one prior to listing your home for sale.
The smoke and gasses exiting your chimney are acidic and can actually eat through your chimney's insulating material to the wood behind it. That's one reason it's a good idea to have your chimney inspected annually.
Is there a strong odor coming from your chimney? That's a sign of a potential blockage, either from something that has fallen into your chimney or deteriorating masonry. Call us immediately if you notice a strong smell coming from your chimney.
If your home has a chimney and you do not use it very often, you will still need to have it cleaned on a yearly basis. External weather factors make yearly cleaning a preventative measure that can keep cracks from forming or small ones from becoming large ones.
A rusted firebox (also called a damper) is a sign that moisture has entered your chimney. This is usually pretty obvious, as the rust will make opening and closing your firebox a task. Also, a rusted firebox that does not close or seal properly is also a sign of chimney damage.
Backdrafting occurs when smoke and air flow into the living space rather than up the chimney. To prevent this effect, avoid running interior fans and close windows and doors on the leeward or downwind side of the house.
“Just east of Gates is an old chimney, which marks the house where lived Samuel’s father, Deacon Nathaniel. … He had eight sons in the Revolutionary War.” (The Old Chimney Stacks of East Haddam, 1887)
We have plenty of experience installing and repairing chimneys so understand the importance of adequate venting for your fireplace, heating system or stove. We can ensure that your chimney properly vents gases created inside into the outside air.
