What is creosote? That is the residue or byproduct of a fire that attaches to the inner walls of your chimney. When there are unburned particles and they meet cooler temperatures higher in the chimney, condensation results in creosote.
While no water leak in your home is fun, having a leak in your chimney can be particularly problematic. Let’s talk about the most common chimney issues that lead to leaks and how we can help you restore your chimney to optimal condition.
A good chimney cap is an important part of any chimney infrastructure. Chimney caps, for one thing, arrest sparks, which prevent fires. They also keep animals like squirrels and birds out. Additionally, chimney caps keep water from entering the flue and chimney shell, limit downdrafts when it is windy, and help prevent noxious odors from building up.
When your chimney’s condition has been keeping you from using a fireplace, it can be tempting to attempt repairs yourself. Let’s talk about the nature of the issues with your chimney and how bringing in a professional can be the safest option for you and your family.
Ever wonder why smokestacks are so tall? This increased the draft up the stack, and the same is true with your chimney. The tall the chimney, the more draft it generates to make sure the fire burns well and all the smoke leaves the building.
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.
In 17th century England, people could determine the size of a house the number of chimneys. This lead to the Hearth Tax which taxed occupiers of houses at a rate of 2 Shillings per chimney, paid in bi-annual installments.
Some of the first chimneys in homes were built in a stack. This meant that the fireplaces on each floor of the home shared the same chimney, and stacks were likely located at the front and back of the house.
In modern chimneys, top sealing dampers are installed at the top of a chimney for the purpose of sealing the flue shut when the fireplace is not in use. These are rated as much as 90 percent more effective than throat dampers, as they feature a silicone rubber gasket seal.
A chimney for a furnace isn't going to be built the same as a chimney for a fireplace. That's because they produce different exhaust fumes. These are often built with metal liners that help keep moisture from damaging the chimney.
Insulation is an important part of a chimney, since it helps keep the smoke warm, which makes it draft better. That's one of the reasons chimneys are often built out of bricks and masonry, because the stone helps insulate the chimney.
The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you have wood-burning appliances for your home installed and maintained by a professional. Proper installation and maintenance is important in insuring your safety and the safety of your family.
A damaged flue can cause the bricks of a chimney to erode. What this mainly means to you is an expensive repair, if the damage isn’t found and corrected early. Annual inspections of your chimney can help catch flue problems and erosion.
If you’re thinking of having your chimney waterproofed, work with a chimney pro. Chimneys must be sealed with a specialized waterproofing formula that protects against water penetration but allows the brick to breathe.
How old is your chimney? Outdated chimneys can cause many problems, including poor drafts. This means that gases from fires can remain trapped inside, instead of traveling out the chimney.
Have you recently had trouble with birds, rodents and other pests getting into your home through the fireplace? This can be an indicator that it’s time to call in a professional to repair or replace your chimney cap.
If you have a fireplace you’ve likely heard the word “flue.” Do you know what the “flue” is? Flue refers to the space inside the chimney.
Did you know that one of the main selling points of a home is a fireplace and chimney in good repair? In fact, a recent survey by the NHBA (National Home Builder's Association) found that almost 80% of new home buyers sought out homes that had a working chimney and fireplace.
We tend to consider chimneys a cornerstone of Middle Age houses, but the truth is that they didn't show up in smaller houses until the 1500s and 1600s. Between then and the invention of chimneys in 1100s, chimneys were only in large upper class houses.
Having a chimney cap installed is one of the best ways to protect your masonry fireplace from the ravages of water. It can cause cracking and flaking, and prolonged exposure can weaken the structural integrity of brick and block.
If you're renovating an old house, keep an eye out for shoes in the chimney. Folklore suggests it is good luck to conceal a shoe in the chimney to ward off evil spirits and bring fertility to the home. The shoes – rarely found in pairs - would trap or stop the evil spirits from entering the home.
To prevent the need for major repairs to your chimney structure, it’s recommended that you have your chimney professionally inspected at least once a year. If necessary, spalled and loose or chipped bricks are repaired, which can prevent major water damage from occurring down the road.
