Drafts are a driving force that is pulling the smoke up your chimney which allows the fire to burn effectively in your fireplace or wood stove. A fireplace or wood stove with a poor draft is going to make it hard to get a fire going and causes smoke to roll out in front of your wood stove or fireplace. Smoke that rolls out of your fireplace or wood stove is unpleasant and it causes soot stains on the ceiling and walls. This is also going to cause the smell of your home like soot and smoke. When you improve the draft of your wood stove or fireplace, it will ensure that all smoke will vent out of your home properly. You should not have to call chimney repair often if you follow these tips:

Start with a Fast and Hot Fire

When you start a fire with pieces of fast-burning wood types, and lighter blocks, a warm air that flows through the chimney will develop quickly. The warmth creates the fireplace draft and keeps the fire going. You should use the reverse or Swiss lighting method. There is better firewood combustion when it is lit from the top to bottom.

Burn Very Low Moisture Wood

The key to having a hot, fast fire is to burn the wood with 20% or lower moisture. Wood has a high moisture content that is going to burn slowly and lose the majority of wood efficiency. Basically, the fire is boiling excess moisture off before the wood can reach full combustion. Moist wood makes the top-down fire-stating method very hard. A good draft is going to start a well-lit fire.

Only Burn Wood Which Dried for Two Years

If you burn wet wood, it is harder to get a good fire going and keep it burning. After you light the fire with wood types and fast-burning materials, you should feed the fire with slow-burning wood like beech, oak, birch, and fruit tree wood. These kinds of wood should be dried for at least two years so it can burn well-drawing fire. You should not use fast-burning wood types (willow, pine, alder) in this firing phase because it leads to an output of dangerous sparks. Heating with wet wood is not eco-friendly because there are high amounts of emissions.

 Warm the Flue

Among the best ways to power up the draft in a cold chimney is to heat and prime up the flue. In cold climates, you might have to establish a draft. A cold chimney is able to create a cold bubble that blocks the flue and draft. If you are trying to start a fire with a cold chimney, you might fill your home with smoke since the chimney is very cold. The fire heat cannot overtake the cold flue that causes a smoky fireplace or wood stove.

Open the Window and Shut off the Kitchen Exhaust Hood

Open fireplace consumes about 250-250m of air an hour for combustion gas exhaust and burns off the wood. In homes that are well-insulated, the movement of a lot of air presents a problem quickly. This is going to create reverse pressure, and the smoke will soon enter your house. The reverse pressure can also be made by a kitchen exhaust hood in a home with proper insulation. You can naturally open the window, but it is an unattractive solution during winter. The oven extraction from your oven can influence the draft of your fireplace as well when you do this.

You can contact chimney relining Ellicott City anytime if you need to have your chimney inspected.

 

The post How to Increase Chimney Draft first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

As a fireplace owner, you’ve no doubt heard about creosote. Unfortunately, many people think it means their chimney is dirty and little else. However, we’ll show you why creosote is dangerous and how you can protect your home and family.

What is Creosote?

The goal when burning wood or other fossil fuels is to burn them as completely as possible; however, that rarely happens. Whether it’s unseasoned firewood or poor airflow, incomplete combustion produces volatiles that travels with the smoke up the chimney.
As the smoke cools in the chimney, it condenses with water and other chemicals and sticks to the walls. This residue is called creosote.

Creosote comes in three stages.

Stage One: The first coating of creosote is typically a dust-like substance called soot. Soot isn’t flammable, and it’s easy to clean at this stage.

Stage Two: As the soot thickens, it becomes sticky and tougher to remove. Stage two becomes a fire hazard because the sticky form is partially combustible under the right conditions.

Stage Three: Finally, as the tar-like creosote layer gets thicker like a glaze, it restricts airflow and is highly likely to catch fire. Stage three buildup is difficult to remove and requires a certified chimney sweep.

Why Is Creosote Dangerous?

As mentioned, in its later stages, creosote becomes flammable, but how much creosote buildup does it take, and at what temperatures are you at risk? According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), most chimney fires occur because of dirty chimneys. The problem with creosote buildup is that it doesn’t take much to become a concern. The CSIA says, Even just a 1/8” buildup of creosote is enough to cause a chimney fire.

Okay, but chimney fires are rare, right?

Well, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2011, they estimated that 53,600 U.S. home fires were caused by home heating equipment. The leading factor that contributed to those fires was the failure to clean equipment, such as chimneys. Moreover, a 2022 report released by the NFPA said, Heating equipment fires resulted in an estimated 480 civilian deaths, 1,370 civilian injuries, and one billion dollars in direct property damage each year from 2016 to 2020.

How to Protect Yourself From Creosote & Chimney Fires

In light of this unsettling news, it’s not all gloom and doom because preventing a chimney fire from obstructions and creosote buildup is easy.

Schedule Annual Inspections & Cleaning

The most important thing you can do — and the easiest — is schedule annual cleaning and inspection by a certified professional chimney sweep. Certified chimney sweeps have the necessary training and follow industry standards to ensure your safety.

Use Seasoned Firewood

The first thing you can do is burn properly seasoned firewood. Green or unseasoned wood produces more smoke and volatiles, which means more creosote.

Avoid Over-Firing

Over-firing means burning more fuel than your fireplace can handle. Many people think adding more wood to get a hotter fire means a warmer home, but it’s dangerous, especially if you have creosote in your chimney because the high temperatures can ignite it.

Install a Chimney Cap

Chimney caps prevent debris and animals from getting into the chimney, causing a blockage, which could lead to increased temperatures and fire.

Call the Fluesbrothers

When residents in Kansas City need a chimney service company they can trust, they call The Fluesbrothers.

Why? Because we have over a decade of experience, our technicians are licensed, insured, and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. We’re also a full-service chimney company that handles everything. Whether it’s chimney sweeping, inspection, repair, maintenance, or dryer vent cleaning, there’s no job too big or small for our team.

Get your chimney winter-ready and ensure you’re protected by scheduling an appointment today at 913-236-7141 or fill out our online form, and we’ll get right back!

The post What is Creosote and Why It’s Dangerous appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Chimney flashing will provide a skirt on a chimney when it can meet the roof so that debris and water will not go into the roof space and cause property damage. When the chimney is installed through your roof from an internal fireplace, it will pass through the roof cavity and into your property’s external environment. The chimney flashing is placed through the chimney edge against the roofline in order to create a permanent and resilient conjunction seal.

You would have to call chimney cleaning services before installing chimney flashing. Most of the time, people take note of how important chimney sweeping and tuckpointing are, but chimney flashing can be overlooked.

Here are the reasons why chimney flashing is important:

How Chimney Flashing Works

The chimney will allow smoke from your fireplace so it can rise and escape into the air above the home, but there are important parts that allow this. There is a damper that seals the fireplace, from outdoor elements, but it should be opened when you use the fireplace so the smoke will not fill your home. The smoke chamber will guide smoke from the hearth to the flue and guides it upward and outside so it can go through your roof. Meanwhile, the flashing plays an important part in the process. The flashing is a seal that is placed where the chimney and roof meet, which creates a transition between the roofing and chimney materials. Why is it important? If there is no flashing, chimney cleaning will become a constant task. There will not be a glaring gap between the roof and chimney through which the moisture and unwanted matter seep into your house.

Moisture Barrier

The roof of your house will act as a shield from the external environment. If there is no chimney flashing, debris, water, dust, and other external particles are going to pass through the roof cavity. It can cause internal damage including electrical faults. When there is a moisture barrier because of a good chimney flashing that was installed correctly, you will feel more comfortable. This is going to let water and debris flow down your roof line and into the gutters and then it is linked to the stormwater network.

Automatic Pest Control

Chimney flashing provides a barrier that will not allow pests to go into your roof cavity. Regardless if your property has possums in the vicinity, nasty pests, or rats, you should make sure that the seal is sealed so they will not find a home inside your roof. Chimney flashing has to be completely installed around the chimney masonry’s parameter where it can meet the roof line so that there are no gaps or parts that can be forced open.

Hire a Professional to Repair it

When you experience warning signs of chimney flashing problems, you should not do a DIY. A professional can confidently diagnose what the issue is. Even if moisture issues are normally caused by flashing problems, there are a suite of chimney problems that can lead to water issues. In addition, if it is a flashing issue, a team of professionals can evaluate how much the damage is to determine if it should be repaired or replaced.

You Should Watch out for Leaky Flashing

If you moved into a new home, or you have not done any work to the current chimney for a long time, you should watch out for any faulty chimney flashing signs.

Chimney flashing is a common contributor to chimney leaks which can cause major problems.

You can contact chimney sweep Upper Marlboro if you need to have the flashing inspected.

 

The post The Importance of Chimney Flashing first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Sometimes, chimney repair goes beyond tuckpointing or repointing damaged mortar. If your chimney is old or damaged beyond these minor repairs, it may be time to look into a total teardown and rebuild of your chimney structure.

Spring is the ideal time for a chimney rebuild. By that time, you’re most likely done using your fireplace and chimney. The system will remain idle until the following fall and temperatures outdoors are warm enough for everything to set up properly. So with that in mind, let’s go over the details of rebuilding a chimney.

First, is it time to rebuild?

How do you know if you are past the point of repair and need to start fresh? For starters, you may notice the chimney leaning, water damage in and around the mortar, large cracks in the brick, or excessive amounts of damaged mortar. If you spot any of these, you should contact us right away and stop using your chimney until we can assess the situation.

Also, your Northeastern Chimney tech may discover these issues during your yearly inspection. If any of these signs are observed, it’s likely time for a rebuild.

Different ways of rebuilding a chimney

That being said, there are three options when it comes to repairing a chimney at this point. If only a section needs to be removed and replaced, this is known as a partial rebuild. The technician will remove the damaged section and replace it with new materials. This could also include replacing all the metal materials in the chimney that have been compromised by rust. Another type of partial rebuild is tuckpointing, which simply means you’re filling in the cracks or gaps in your masonry. Finally, repointing is a type of partial chimney rebuild where you replace all of the mortar joints.

A roofline-up rebuild occurs when the entire structure from the roof flashing up to the crown needs to be replaced. This leaves the interior structure intact while repairing problems with the exterior visible structure starting with your flashing and working its way upward toward your cap and crown.

And finally, a complete rebuild happens when the entire structure is compromised. New brick and mortar are used to construct an entirely new chimney face; this can also include replacing interior components that are in poor shape.

Can a rebuild be prevented?

As any structure ages, it is going to require care and upkeep. However, with proper care and regular inspections, damage can be caught in the early stages and typically fixed before turning into a more serious and labor-intensive issue. As water damage is a leading contributor to deterioration and damage, utilizing a waterproofing sealant on the chimney’s surface will help to protect your chimney for the long haul.

We’re here to help, whether you need a rebuild or a repair

We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across Connecticut with all of their chimney-based repair needs. From annual sweeps and inspections to complete rebuilds, there is no job we can’t handle for you.

Do you need to get in touch with our team to schedule an appointment? Then contact Northeastern Chimney, LLC at 860-233-5770 or by sending us a message through our website.

The post All About Rebuilding A Chimney appeared first on .

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

Special Gas Insert Rebate Plus Financing

Are you ready to give your home a warm and cozy makeover? Installing or upgrading a fireplace is just the thing for you. Whether your old wood-burning fireplace needs some sprucing up or you’d like to add a brand new one with all the modern features, making this change can have impressive results.

Not only will it aesthetically improve your space, but having an efficient fire system in place can also help reduce energy bills while warming up chilly winter evenings. Before starting this project, there are some important things to consider that can ensure success.

You can read on to learn why it might be time to upgrade or install a new fireplace to bring comfort and style into your living space:

Why A Gas Insert?

Efficiency

First and foremost, a gas fireplace has a huge advantage over a wood burning one because of their energy-efficient nature. Wood fires generally convert about 10 to 30 percent of the fuel’s energy into heat whereas a gas fireplace converts 75 to 99 percent of a fuel’s energy into heat for your home.

Ease of Use

A gas fireplace is far easier than a wood burning one to start, maintain, and use. There are no logs to split, carry, take up space, and season. Fires in a gas fireplace do not need to be tended to and fed with more logs and won’t die out if you leave it alone like a wood fire.

Unlike with a wood fire, there is no cleaning ashes or smells of smoke wafting into your home.

Gas fireplaces can be lit with the push of a button on your thermostat or with a remote control. You can also adjust them and put them out with the use of your thermostat.

Heat Output

Because your thermostat can control the gas fire, you can also adjust the heat output. If it’s too hot, you can easily adjust the flame to your liking. The same goes if it’s too cold. The thermostat will even maintain the temperature setting for you and adjust the fire accordingly.

Additionally, if you choose a gas fireplace with fixed glass panels and a direct-vent, you can ensure heat doesn’t escape up the flue as it does with a wood fire. This translates to even more heat output when you need it and a greater degree of fuel efficiency.

Style

This comes down to personal choice. You make like the classic look of a traditional fireplace with wood logs. But if you are after a sleek, modern look then a glass-enclosed gas fireplace may be exactly what you are looking for.

Fireplace Options

If you’ve settled on installing a gas fireplace, there’s still another step to consider: what kind do you want? There are many different types and styles, each of which has something to offer your home.

Vented (or Direct Vent)

Gas fireplaces don’t produce any smoke or odors, but – as with any fire – they still produce dangerous and toxic byproducts. A vented, also known as a direct vent, fireplace is the safest method of getting pollutants such as carbon monoxide out of your home.

Direct vent fireplaces pull in air from outside your house and into a sealed firebox. Then the fumes from the flame are vented outside of your home through a different exhaust pipe which is installed at the same time as the fireplace.

While cold air is being drawn into the fire box and fumes are vented outside your home, cool air from inside your house is drawn into a separate chamber with a built-in fan, warmed by the heat of the fire, and then the heated air is blown back into the room along with the radiant heat direct in front of the fire.

Log Sets

Gas log sets are the least expensive and least efficient type of gas fireplace. Providing your traditional fireplace is in good working order, all that is required to install one of these is to drill access for gas pipes in an existing fireplace and then the ceramic logs and burner are hooked up and ready to go.

Most of the heat created by one of these units is lost because your chimney damper must be open the whole time the fire is active so that the fumes can escape your home. Because of this, log sets should really be treated as decorative home design choices and not as an option for serious wintertime heating.

Prefabricated Fireplaces

For homes without an existing fireplace, a prefabricated gas fireplace is the best choice. For vented models, an exhaust stack is installed venting and a mantelpiece and surround can be built for aesthetics. The firebox is connected to gas lines and the fireplace is essentially ready to go.

If you’re considering making this change, be sure to schedule a consultation with our team so we can help you choose the right model, installation and pricing package for your needs.

The post Ready to Upgrade Your Fireplace? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

The only thing worse than thinking you can clean your chimney yourself is hiring a non-certified
person to do it for you on a budget. We completely understand wanting to cut costs but if there
is one thing you don’t want to skimp on, it’s cleaning your chimney. The safety of you and your
family is not something to bargain with, so we suggest doing your research, and finding certified
professionals you can trust. Let us share some red flags (and green flags) to look for when
hiring chimney professionals and also prove why you can trust us!

Red Flag: Bargain Pricing
If there is a company advertising a $99 cleaning, then it is a complete scam. You get what you
pay for and chimney cleaning services are no exception. There is not a company (that we know
of) that is willing to send a minimum of two certified professionals to a site for $99! Instead, they
will send one unqualified professional with little to no expertise. There is no such thing as one
size fits all pricing.

Green Flag: Realistic Quote for Services
A credible chimney or fireplace company will quote you upfront at least $200-$300 for services.
They will provide a comprehensive quote for the first visit and they will not add on a bunch of
additional charges. Services will be outlined and quoted up front and you should never be
charged later on for “additional services performed”.

Red Flag: Solo Inspector On Site
Never, and we repeat, “never” accept only one person on site for chimney cleaning or roof
inspection. You should be quoted, scheduled, and charged for at least two certified
professionals on-site to perform services. This checks and balances structure is extremely
important.

Green Flag: Two or More Professionals
A reputable company that you can trust, will send out at least two certified professionals who will
perform a full analysis of the chimney and roof, top to bottom. They will have a system and
process for the inspection and be able to give you a full report with details of their analysis.

Red Flag: Don’t Even Go On Your Roof
We hear way too many times… a company arrives on site and does not go on your roof.
Sometimes, they do not even look at your chimney. We cannot stress enough how much of a
red flag this is for the company! Going up on your roof to assess the roof itself and the chimney
is the least they should do as part of their inspection. You should not have to ask them to
personally inspect your chimney or go on your roof.

Green Flag: Look at Your Chimney & Roo
A certified professional that you can trust will, of course, go on your roof during the inspection.
That might seem like common sense but so many of the non-certified and non-professional
people won’t because they cannot assume that liability. It’s a green flag when they discuss in
your consultation actually going up on the roof and needing access to your roof and chimney.
We hope that you now have a better idea of the red flags to watch out for and the green flags to
look for when hiring a company to take care of your chimney and roof. We work extremely hard
to be trustworthy and fly those green flags high! Trust us with your chimney and roof inspections
and give us a call today to schedule a visit from one of our professionals.

This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

Smelly chimneys can occur year round, even in winter. Lately, Illinois has been experiencing some high humidity levels. The quantity of water in the air determines the humidity. The air expands up to four or five times its normal size, which is why it’s sometimes hard to breathe in high humidity. Humid air traps in most particles from the outside. That’s why it’s more likely to smell something unusual coming from your chimney this winter. This smell can be damp, musty or asphalt-like. Be aware of smelly chimneys, the odors can be unhealthy to breathe in for long periods of time. At Superior Chimney, we’re here to help identify, clean up and help to deter smelly chimneys.

What Causes a Smelly Chimney?

Despite any reasons listed below, negative air pressure in your home is the most common reason that these smells even reach your nose. Modern homes are usually sealed up pretty tight, which causes reverse drafts. The air pressure inside the home is lower than outside, causing the air in the chimney to move downward and into the home, bringing the inner chimney smell along with it.

1. Humidity from rain or snow is a common factor that helps to cause a smelly chimney. Be aware that chimneys store/absorb water and very quickly become saturated. Cracks in masonry lead to water leaks and quickly deteriorate the chimney. Deterioration leads to rust, rot and decay. This rot causes your chimney to give off a musty, damp smell.

2. If you notice an asphalt-like smell coming from your chimney, this may be a sign of a chimney leak and/or creosote buildup. Creosote is a natural product of combustion. It mostly occurs in wood burning chimneys, but can also occur in gas chimneys. Continuously breathing in the fumes from creosote while also using the fireplace is toxic and unhealthy.

3. Natural debris, such as leaves or nest remnants cause a damp, rotting smell. It’s also very possible for an animal to be living (or dead), or was once living in the chimney.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

Fixing a Smelly Chimney

Fixing a smelly chimney requires more than a chimney sweep. A chimney sweep will only remove surface level creosote buildup for inspection purposes. As negative air pressure is the reason the smells reach your nose, you may need to install a top-sealing damper. A complete chimney inspection from Superior Chimney can identify any issues with your chimney, and check off one of the reasons listed above. The chimney may need a replacement of its damper closure or chimney cap. It may also need to be repaired to stop water leaks, or to be waterproofed. There are a variety of causes, deterrence efforts and solutions to a smelly chimney. Many of them are listed here, in this previous blog post. Living in a varying humid climate like Chicago does not help to prevent a smelly chimney. If you’re experiencing any musty, damp or smelly odors, or just want to protect your chimney from becoming smelly, schedule an inspection with us today. Remember that musty odors can happen even in winter.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

Hiring certified chimney professionals for your annual chimney sweep guarantees the safety and cleanliness of your chimney. But, what if you were to do it yourself? According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), a popular question-answer website named Angie’s List published an article instructing how to clean and inspect your chimney yourself. CSIA instructed Angie’s List to remove this article, as it was found to be potentially dangerous. To Certified Chimney Professionals, a ‘do it yourself’ chimney sweep sounds like trouble. Remember, the configuration of a chimney is complex, Certified Chimney Professionals have knowledge of clearances and air flow with respect to chimneys in the home. There are specialized tools that are needed to properly sweep a chimney as well. Completely cleaning a chimney once a year is important to prevent buildups, blockages, interior/exterior damage, and chimney fires. A few good ‘do it yourself’ articles may not be enough to sweep a chimney.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

What does a Proper Chimney Sweep Require?

Doing a chimney sweep requires the proper experience and tools that Certified Chimney Professionals are extensively trained in. A chimney sweep requires specific brushes that need to fit the chimney flue. There are separate brushes for cleaning the firebox and another for the throat/smoke-chamber components. Next, a sufficient vacuum is required that will be able to compensate for a possible downdraft and contain any air bourn soot. Most store bought vacuums cannot trap all the soot. This ‘do it yourself’ project can track the dust in all parts of your home.

Improper Cleaning Leads to Chimney Fires

There are over 21,000 chimney fires in the US annually, many are caused by an uninspected dirty chimney. The buildup of creosote, a hardened layer of chemical buildup caused naturally by the process of combustion, is a leading cause of chimney fires. Chimney technicians are able to identify and properly clear out this creosote as well as many other common causes of potential issues.

Did you know that breathing in creosote for long periods of time is unhealthy. This is why Certified Chimney Professionals take into account reverse air drafts inside and outside the home, sending the remnants of the cleaning away from your living space. Even if you have a gas fireplace and do not experience extensive layers of creosote buildup, there may be other age and usage relavent wear and tear/damage to your chimney. For example, the chimney may have cracks and gaps in mortar, which require repair services. In a gas fireplace, a clear exhaust path is very important for your chimney, as any blockages, big or small, can cause a very concerning reversal of exhaust such as carbon monoxide backing up into your home. The untrained eye is unable to identify most indicators that a problem with using the fireplace is on the horizon.

Our Notes Be very cautious of ‘do it yourself’ chimney sweep articles (Don’t fall for them). You can ensure safety and security if the job is done by the Certified Chimney Professionals of Superior Chimney. Our professionals are trained and certified by the CSIA. We can identify damage and protect your chimney by starting with a chimney sweep. Waiting years to sweep your chimney is costly and counterproductive to it. It is necessary to invest in a Certified Chimney Professionals at least once a year. Someone has to be fully responsible for putting a fire in the middle of your living room… and that is you! Book your chimney inspection today – Know what the current condition and state of fireworthiness your chimney system is in before you burn again.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

Regardless if your chimney is venting a fireplace, furnace, or wood stove, it most likely contains sections of clay flue tiles together in order to form a chimney lining.

The flue liner has to be well-sealed to protect the soundness and efficiency of the chimney. But over time and usage, defects and problems will develop and it threatens your chimney safety. Cracked flue tiles are among the most common issues that homeowners have to deal with.

Sometimes, you would have to contact chimney inspection if you want to look for the exact reason why the chimney has cracks. If you are not knowledgeable about this, you can always check out reasons why it is dangerous. Read on to learn more.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

Can Cause House Fires

Research that was conducted by the National Bureau of Standards has discovered that using a fireplace with no liner put homeowners at a greater risk for this. If you compare it with those that have properly linked chimneys, they do not have the same level of heat protection. This comes from the home’s combustible materials such as wood. Cracks in the liner expose the woodwork and other materials to great temperatures, which puts you at a higher risk of catching fire.

Toxic Gases

A chimney liner will prevent dangerous gases from going into your house. Even a small crack can become a passageway for harmful gases to go into your living space. Carbon monoxide is specifically tasteless, odorless, and colorless, which is why it is very hard to detect it using a CO detector. It can reach fatal levels, especially when everyone else is asleep. That is why carbon monoxide poisoning is also called a silent killer, and it can lead to tissue damage and death that has prolonged exposure.

Damages the Chimney

It has already been discussed that the high temperatures that your chimney is exposed to each time you use the fireplace. Aside from high heat, your chimney gets exposed to the combustion of byproducts produced by gas or wood. The byproducts are able to wear down the chimney’s masonry materials in case the flue liner is missing or cracked. If the wear and tear are unchecked, it will lead to structural damage, causing the chimney to fall apart or lean.

It Will Operate Inefficiently

A flue liner with cracks can impede wood, gas fireplace, or stove efficiency. The chimney requires an efficient draft to draw oxygen in and expel toxic the combustion process of byproducts up the chimney flue where it exits your home. However, flue cracks can cause drafting problems and there is the unequal air pressure in the chimney that can make the fireplace perform inefficiently.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

Why Does it Happen?

Most of the time, cracked tiles happen when heat is not evenly distributed all throughout the chimney. This can lead to unequal expansion of tiles that causes them to split, crack, or buckle. Clay tiles are a lot more prone to this issue because the material is unable to absorb heat quickly.

What is the Remedy?

When you find cracked tiles, the best way to fix this is by lining or relining your chimney. A stainless steel chimney liner is the chosen option among homeowners because it normally has a lifetime warranty and it normally never needs to be replaced. Single clay flue tiles can be installed to replace broken ones but will usually crack again to create another safety hazard in the flue. If there is minimal damage, a product can be bought to fill those cracks.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Flashing is an important component of any chimney, but what exactly does it do? Flashing is one of many pieces that protects your chimney from excess moisture and leaks. It’s important to keep your chimney flashing in good condition to avoid long-term water damage. Let’s take a look at what chimney flashing is, why it’s important, and the different types of flashing available.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

What is chimney flashing?

Chimney flashing is a layer of material that sits at the point where your chimney meets your roof. It acts as a seal, allowing water to flow down and off the roof rather than seeping into the chimney.

Why is chimney flashing important?

Flashing serves as an important protective layer for both your roof and your chimney as a whole. Without chimney flashing, moisture can seep into the joint between the roof and the chimney as well as directly into brick and mortar. While this may not seem like a problem initially, over time this will lead to structural issues.

Once the moisture is inside the chimney, it will expand and contract with the freeze/thaw cycle. This slowly displaces the brick and mortar, leading to structural consistencies. Durable flashing paired with a chimney cap goes a long way towards keeping moisture out of your chimney.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

What types of chimney flashing are available?

There are four main types of chimney flashing available. Each of these options has its own pros and cons.

Aluminum: This has been the flashing material of choice for many builders in recent years due to its affordability. Although it is inexpensive, it’s still highly resistant to rust. It also works well on many different types of roofs.

Vinyl/PVC: This is another inexpensive form of flashing that is only a viable option in places with consistently warm weather. This is because it is prone to cracking in very cold temperatures.

Copper: Copper is a much more expensive flashing option, but it comes with a variety of benefits. Copper flashing won’t rust at all and is very durable, so it’s a great choice in areas with high levels of precipitation.

Steel: Steel is a flashing material that you’ll often find on older chimneys. It’s extremely durable and takes a long time to rust, although it can still happen over time.

How do I maintain my chimney flashing?

You should always work with a professional to maintain and repair your chimney flashing. Trying to maintain your chimney flashing on your own can be dangerous as it does require you to climb onto your roof.

Your chimney sweep will inspect your flashing as part of your yearly chimney maintenance appointment. If your flashing is starting to see wear and tear, they will recommend the appropriate repairs to keep your chimney flashing in good condition.

It’s also important to have your chimney inspected when you move into a new home. If you’re moving into an older property and the flashing has seen a lot of wear and tear, you may need to replace it.

Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com