Checking a chimney should be a concern for every homeowner because it pertains to the safety of your home and family. Each year, lives and property are lost due to improper care and maintenance of chimneys. You can check some parts of the chimney yourself. We will review those below. But other parts need to […]
The best type of chimney liner depends on many factors, including the type of appliance, the type of chimney, and its intended use. Not to mention, who’s answering the question! If you are planning to have a new chimney built, or considering having your chimney re-lined, get as much information as possible about the
The Anatomy of a Chimney will help you to better understand how things work with your fireplace, gas or wood stove, even your furnace. A chimney, simply put, is a vertical tube designed to draw combustion products (smoke and gasses) from an appliance like a wood stove or fireplace to the atmosphere outside the house.
When asking, “what type of chimney is best?, ” you need to consider that there are advantages and limitations to each kind of chimney: Masonry chimneys incorporate traditional beauty that many homeowners want. Factory-built chimneys offer a non-masonry option that often proves easier to install, at a lower price. Some types of chimneys are designed only for
This is a brief introduction to some of the various types of chimney. Masonry Type of Chimney: What we usually picture when we think about chimneys is a masonry chimney: one constructed of brick, concrete blocks, or stone. But current building technology includes another major category, the factory-built chimney. Factory-Built Type of Chimney: Builders and
Fireplace Door Difficulties A good set of fireplace doors is a highly- recommended accessory for saving heat and optimizing your enjoyment of the fireplace. But if the doors are damaged, improperly installed, or out of adjustment, they can be frustrating. Your chimney professional can fix most fireplace door problems. But if you want to give it
If you notice fireplace odors while you are using the fireplace, then you almost certainly have a smoking problem. See the article “Smoking Fireplaces” for details on identifying and correcting fireplace smoking problems. As a general rule, in any case of fireplace odors, a chimney cleaning is in order if you haven’t had it done recently (and certainly, if
Water leaking into the fireplace Water should not leak into your fireplace. If it does, first be sure you have a chimney cap to keep water from running freely down the flue. If you have a cap, the problem might be more serious. Cracks or holes in the chimney crown (the very top) or in other areas could
Fireplace White Stains Efflorescence, also called leeching, is deposits of salts on the masonry surface. It is caused by water soaking through the joints, dissolving the salts, and re-depositing them on the surface. Efflorescence is an early indicator of water damage, often seen inside the fireplace due to water pooling above the damper and soaking