Have Questions? Rely on the Tools of Professional Chimney Sweeps- Skip DIY! Can The Wood I’m Burning Affect My Chimney? A chimney cap is a cover for the chimney that serves several purposes. © 2021 Northeastern Chimney, Inc. All rights reserved – All content is protected by the Federal Copyright Act, and legally cannot be reproduced elsewhere without permission – Unauthorized Use is Tracked Automatically and will be prosecuted. What Does a Damaged Chimney Look Like? How Much Does Chimney Tuck-Pointing Cost? Consider a Fireplace, Repair Your Chimney for Winter Warmth and Safety, Restore the Chimney on Your Fixer Upper Home, Restoring “Original” Fireplace Openings in Older Homes. This is then sealed into place using a stone mix in order to secure the tubing. Why is Pellet Stove Service So Important? Solid-pack has a layer of insulation between the inner and outer layer of the pipe. 2. Scheduling a chimney sweeping at inspection with Old Hat Chimney Service allows our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps to look at your liner to see if it needs essential repairs. Finally, measure the height of the tallest flue, allowing for five extra inches above so that a draft can come through the screen. What’s in Your Chimney this Holiday Season? The top sleeve fits inside the top of the chimney liner and gives a solid inner for the top clamp to grip against. Chimney caps also keep birds, squirrels and other animals from entering the home through the chimney and setting up a nest inside it. The Majority of Chimney Fires Go Undetected Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have fuel to be dramatic or visible and they often go undetected until a later chimney inspection, but, the temperatures they reach are very high and can cause as much damage to the chimney structure – and nearby combustible parts of the house – as their more spectacular cousins. Get Your Fireplace Winter-Ready Before the Rush! And worse yet is third degree creosote that fills up “chimney … Chimney Sweeps Recommend Different Repairs and Quotes? What’s Different about Factory-Built Fireplaces, as Compared with Masonry Fireplaces? Rain must be kept out of a chimney because it can do a lot of damage to the inside. Relatively high temperatures in the chimney flue. Imagine two different homes, each of which has a furnace that vents into a chimney. If the liner is missing mortar joints the chimney cannot be burned until a liner is put in for similar reasons to those of cracked flue tiles. This kind of creosote looks like tar running down the inside of your chimney. One for an oil furnace … it’s nice if it’s lined; it’s not 100 percent required all the time. Videos. In some cases, you may notice broken masonry in your fireplace. Gas Fireplaces vs. Wood Fireplaces: Which is best for you? Here’s Why August is Prime Chimney Sweep Time! Your clay chimney liner has mortar joints in between each tile. 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While older homes were commonly constructed with unlined chimney flues, newer construction almost always involves the addition of a chimney flue because it is much safer and more effective. refractory liner installed by cutting into the flue wall or by lowering down from the top of the chimney. This chimney also contains an interior metal liner that ties in seamlessly with the furnace's exhaust pipe. Next, measure the width of the entire chimney crown, followed by the length. What is Creosote and Should I be Concerned About It? Chimney Liners. The insulation can be either fiberglass or ceramic. Thermocrete / Ceramic Chimney Liner Cost. And first of all, we need to determine if it’s lined. First, measure the length of both flues, then the width. The chimney crown, also referred to as the chimney wash, is the top element of a masonry chimney. Will a Chimney Sweep Leave a Mess in My House? Photos. The condition of the flue liner in your chimney is a critical safety issue. One of the most important reasons chimney experts recommend annual chimney inspections is to ensure that the liner is doing the job of protecting combustibles from extremely hot temperatures. It’s Time to Upgrade or Add a New Fireplace! It’s a highly concentrated fuel which hardens and can form a thick layer, when recoated repeatedly. 1. Gas Fireplaces Need Annual Inspections, Too, 7 Signs Your Chimney Is In Need of Repairs, How to Avoid Poisoning by Carbon Monoxide, the “Silent Killer”, Ten Top Reasons a Fire Won’t Ignite in a Fireplace – Pt 2, Ten Top Reasons a Fire Won’t Ignite in a Fireplace – Pt 1, Why NCSG and CSIA Certifications Should Matter to Homeowners, Winter Chimney Care: Chimneys vs. Winter Ice and Snow. Should You Worry about Vines Climbing Up the Chimney? Are you a Pro? Tips for Choosing the Firewood You Really Want, Children as Chimney Sweeps in England – A Terrible Chapter in History, A Safety Tip: Schedule your Chimney Cleaning and Inspection Without Delay, 5 Steps to Having a more Eco-friendly Fireplace, Home Fires in the News Reveal Fireplace Safety Breaches, Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Wood Stove for Your Home, Three Things to Do With a Fireplace in Summertime, Firewood Facts: How to Choose the Best Firewood, Get to Know the Anatomy of Your Fireplace, Consider the Benefits of a Fireplace Insert, Your Chimney and The Wicked Witch of the West, Some Truly Amazing Chimneys From Around The World. The chimney liner will take harmful toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and guide it out of your home. It prevents fire sparks from escaping from the chimney and landing on the roof, which can be very dangerous. When you get a chimney inspection done, the inspector will take a look at your chimney for buildup, obstruction, damage or any structural issues. Why Fireplace Cleaning Should be the Easiest Spring Cleaning Chore, Why Having a Strong Chimney Cap Is Important, Why Ice Dams are Dangerous for Your Chimney. How is Your Chimney Withstanding the Arctic Blasts of Winter? Has Your Chimney Been Damaged by Severe Winter Weather? How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Chimney? Roofs are affected by the objects on or near it, like your chimney. Some cities have ordinances that require a chimney cap because of the danger posed by the sparks. Spray on coating by specialist contractor. Insulation is placed between the liner and the chimney walls. A great way to review the condition of your chimney liner is by regularly having it inspected by a professional chimney sweep. A stainless steel cap is the best type of rain cap to use if the primary goal is to prevent the onslaught of elements because this metal is designed specifically to prevent rust and corrosion. One of the most important reasons chimney experts recommend annual chimney inspections is to ensure that the liner is doing the job of protecting combustibles from extremely hot temperatures. Is a Fireplace a Cost-Effective Way to Heat Your Home? What Technicians Check for During a Chimney Inspection, What to Do If You Suspect Mold in Your Chimney or Fireplace, What to Do When Lightning Strikes Your Chimney During a Summer Storm, What to Know Before Firing Up Your Gas Fireplace, Why Chimney Cleaning & Chimney Inspection Aren’t DIY Jobs, Why Damp Chimneys Can Cause Problems for Your Home. There are a number of common causes of flue liner damage in chimneys. Fires, Ben Franklin, Father of the Fireplace Insert, Building a New Chimney – What You Need to Know, Causes of Flue Liner Damage, How to Identify & Repair, Chimney Cleaning & Maintenance During The Warm Months, Chimney Inspection Benefits: Enjoy Your Fireplace Safely this Holiday Season, Chimney Repairs: The Best Cure is Prevention. If uncapped, a fire can cause stray sparks to fly to the roof or yard, and an uncontained fire is never a good idea. Chimney creosote deposits: What is creosote, how does it form in a chimney Why is chimney creosote a serious fire hazard How can we minimize the fire risk from creosote deposits How often should a chimney be cleaned when burning wood Questions & answers about the rate of creosote deposition in chimneys, creosote and chimney fires, and how creosote is cleaned out of chimneys & flues by Jake Loeffler | Jan 30, 2019 | Chimney Crown. This is a Harman pellet stove we installed this week. Go straight up, no elbows or offsets 3. The top of the clay liner is the only measurement required for this type. Photos. It literally crowns the top of the chimney, acting as a ceiling to keep water and weather out. Fireplaces Add Value, but What About Energy Efficiency? There are three main type of liner which are common on the market. What is Chimney Relining, and is it Necessary? Choose from 3 Types of Gas Burning Hearth Appliances, Choosing Between Wood Fireplaces & Wood Stoves, Troubleshooting Tips for Gas Fireplaces – Part 2, Troubleshooting Tips for Gas Fireplaces – Part 1, Batteries and Pyrolysis: Two Stealthy Causes of Structure Fires. 4. Additionally, it causes the metal parts of the fireplace like the damper to rust. When a chimney is initially built, the flue liner is usually made with tiles because they are the most inexpensive option. What is Tuckpointing and Why is it Needed on Chimneys? Here’s How to Tell. Sweep Traditions in England Include Celebrations, October 9-15, 2011 – Fire Prevention Week, White House Chimney Sweeps Shake Things Up. Because it is usually not obvious that a liner needs repair, it’s important to have a reputable chimney technician inspect the flue annually. Chimney inspections are the best defense against unsafe chimney conditions. A dirty chimney is the cause of many house fires each year. Flexible metal liner in a continuous length lowered down the chimney. Rain must be kept out of a chimney because it can do a lot of damage to the inside. We would like to tell you more about chimney liners and why cracks and gaps in liners can be so hazardous. The only exception is the part at the very top, just above the roofline. See All. A chimney cap is also called a crown because of its function as a cover. This type of pipe is commonly found is sizes ranging from 5’’ to 8’’ inner … What Types of Creosote are in Your Chimney? Sep 28, 2012 - Chimney top and clay tile flue liner repair guide - Guide to repair of masonry chimney top damage - from the rooftop Guide to inspection & repair of damaged ceramic clay flue liners at chimney tops Chimney top and clay tile flue liner repair guide Questions & answers about repairs made at the portion of chimneys that extends above the building roof The chimney liner will reduce any heat loss. Third degree creosote looks like tar coating or running down the inside of the chimney. A ceramic chimney liner like Thermocrete costs $1,000 to $5,000 or $50 to $200 per linear foot. The insulation allows the pipe to remain cooler on the outside and have a 2’’ clearance to combustibles. Certified chimney sweeps offer many chimney services like chimney cleaning, chimney repair, masonry repair, chimney caps, fireplace cleaning, fireplace insert and wood stove sales and installation in all of central Connecticut. The Refractory lining, which is a rubber tube rather like a balloon which is cast into the chimney and then inflated (using an air pump not human lung power). Contact Us Directly (800) 482-8719. The most affordable and at the same time most effective way to replace a damaged flue liner is with a stainless steel liner. Featuring Dura-vent & Napoleon. The liner runs through the center of the chimney and funnels all smoke and gas while providing a protective barrier that contains fire, smoke and gases as they exit through the chimney. The debris could be bits of deteriorating flue liner that have dropped into the firebox. Compared to traditional chimney liners, stainless steel chimney liners are affordable. It could be so deteriorated that you may even need to replace the damaged liner with a new one. Videos. Creosote, the black or brown residue of combustion that collects on the inner surfaces of a chimney flue liner, is highly flammable. Put the chimney inside the warm building environment 2. If the chimney liner is damaged or there is no chimney liner in your chimney, then the toxic gases can enter your home; this can be deadly and dangerous. Is Your Chimney Crown Cracked or Damaged? Capping a chimney prohibits destruction on the inside from elements such as snow and rain. Get Your Fireplace Running Efficiently This Winter. Are Soot Deposits Staining Your Home Interior? Provides Safety. A fireplace chimney should always be lined. Understanding how a chimney works may not be part of your house knowledge, but keeping it in good working order is a critical part of ensuring a safe and healthy home. Fire Prevention Week 2013: Prevent Kitchen & Chimney Fires, Labor Day: Time For An Annual Chimney Inspection, Minimizing Creosote Buildup in Your Chimney, The Origin and Clever, Eco-Friendly Design of Pellet Stoves, 10 Good Reasons to Install a Zero-Clearance Fireplace, 3 Mistakes Homeowners make related to Fireplace Safety, Add Style to Your Chimney with a Copper Chimney Cap or Shroud, Best Way to Cut Chimney Repair Costs: Preventative Maintenance. When an installer checks your chimney they may find that the only way to provide you with a compliant and safe installation is to line the chimney. Chimney Sweep Challenge / 12 Chimneys in One Home! Do you have one of the 5 Most Common Chimney Problems? This repair technique is only for light surface damage, not as a replacement for a chimney liner in unlined chimneys. 1. Signs of a chimney liner in need of replacement include debris of the liner falling into your fireplace or apparent cracks in the masonry inside of your chimney. If allowed to build up, it can catch fire, causing cracks in "fireproof" brick, stone or clay flue liners and allow heat to reach nearby wood framing and other combustible materials in your home. There are, however, many different factors that frequently cause the lining to deteriorate much more quickly, requiring repair or replacement. Skip to main content. Wood Burning Stoves: Problems and Solutions. The condition of the flue liner in your chimney is a critical safety issue. Size the flue to match the stove and use an insulated chimney to keep exhaust hot and moving quickly; never use an air-cooled chimney; Summary of design guidelines. If there is any risk that the chimney could leak fumes in to the house they must line it with a suitable re-lining material. Energy Efficient. The first home contains a mostly internal chimney. Flue gases are acidic, and they speed up deterioration of mortar joints. My Account; Orders & Returns; Contact Us; Help. The following are a few: Unfortunately, there are usually no obvious signs of chimney liner damage. In addition to protecting the inside of the chimney, a cap also protects the mortar at the top of the chimney. Finally, chimney caps keep out leaves and other natural elements that can be blown in during storms. When it doesn’t make sense to repair a damaged flue, replacement is needed. This is a Harman pellet stove we installed this week. A single clay liner sticking out from the top of the chimney denotes a single flue chimney. Secure the pot by flaunching with one course of bricks (ideally if there is room) and a 3:1 sand cement mix. Well-built chimneys that aren’t subjected to excess amounts of moisture are highly durable on the exterior. There are two types of Class A chimney pipe: Solid-packed chimney pipe and Air-cooled chimney pipe. They’ll likely sweep your chimney as part of the inspection to make sure they’re getting an accurate look at your system. This ceramic-cement seals a slightly cracked liner that is structurally sound. There are quite a few choices of system and the most popular is the flexible stainless steel type. They are far easier to install than clay tile liners, making initial installation far less expensive. 5. Chimney and stove pipe online specialists. Flue sized to match stove. The logs on the fire have plenty of air during the combustion p… This precaution will defend you against unexpected hazardous and challenging situations. This creosote is the easiest to remove because a chimney professional’s chimney brush can typically get the job done. How to Identify the Cause of Chimney Staining, How to Keep Your Fireplace & Chimney Safe All Year Long, How Your Chimney Affects Your Home’s Energy Efficiency, Increase the Fireplace Energy Efficiency All Year Long, Investing in a New Chimney – What to Know. Now consider another hom… First stage creosote is mostly ashy soot. Now you know the answer to the question, “how does a chimney work?” We’re here for your improvement needs. How a Chimney Cap Installation Protects Your Home and Roof, How a Cold Winter Can Lead to Chimney Damage. See All . 9 Things to Know when Hiring a Chimney Sweep, Turn Your Firebox Repair into a Fireplace Renewal, A Thorough Spring Cleaning includes a Chimney Cleaning and Inspection. The round shape makes them easier to clean. A single clay liner sticking out from the top of the chimney denotes a single flue chimney. See All. The missing mortar joints expose more of the chimney than should be exposed, making it more likely for any combustibles to combust. Does your Chimney System Need a Makeover? The top of the clay liner is the only measurement required for this type. Causes of Flue Liner Damage, How to Identify & Repair. How to Cut Energy Costs with Chimney Dampers, 5 Great Reasons to Add Glass Doors to your Fireplace, A Comparison Between Wood-Burning Stoves and Pellet Stoves, Before Selling your Home, Hire a Chimney Sweep, Dangers Prevented by an Annual Furnace Flue Cleaning, Homeowner Checklist: Preparing for Winter – Part 2, Homeowner Checklist: Preparing for Winter – Part 1. This scenario fits with a traditional open fireplace. Relatively good wood combustion and 2. Chimney Caps: Benefits and Potential Problems, 2012 National Fire Prevention Week: “Have 2 Ways Out!”. An inch thick would be unusual, but it’s not unheard of. A flue lining in a masonry chimney is defined as "A clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion." 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Determining the proper size for a chimney cap requires measurement. In fireplaces that burn gas, oil, or solid fuels, a liner helps guide the combustion by-products out and away from the chimney. Is Your Chimney and Fireplace Ready for the Cooler Weather? It is extremely concentrated fuel. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. 3 Reasons Annual Chimney Inspections are Crucial, 7 Reasons Fireplaces and Wood Stoves are a Benefit, In the Event of a Chimney Leak, Check the Flashing, The Titanic Hearths and other Fireplaces Linked to Fame. Over time, if water and snow build up inside the chimney, it will cause decay. Insulating concrete pumped in around an inflatable former by a specialist contractor. It mixes with creosote inside the flue and tears away at the mortar in the firebox and flue. See All . Has My Chimney Had a Fire? And it’ll look like a clay pipe. Insulation around the flue liner 4. While repair is possible, it is usually an option that is simply not cost-effective. What is a Fireplace / Chimney Damper & Is It Important to Chimney Function? I would not use one if it wasn’t lined. The lining is the wrong size for the appliance, which can cause an excessive amount of creosote buildup. The following are benefits of stainless steel chimney liners: Professional installation of a stainless steel chimney liner is important, to ensure that it is the correct size and will operate properly. Mixed with moisture, creosote can speed up flue liner deterioration. What Does It Entail? Hartford Web Design and Search Engine Optimization SEO Marketing. I mean my house has got … had an oil furnace for many years and never had a lined chimney. See All. 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Fill the gap between the liner and the pot with a sand/cement mix, at forty-five degrees so any soot build up runs back down into the liner. Why does my Basement Fireplace Have a Backdrafting Problem? Choosing the Fuel Type for Your Next Hearth Appliance, Cleaning a Fireplace is Best Left to the Professionals, Common Reasons for Structural Damage to Chimneys, Creosote & Chimney Fires: What You Must Know, Creosote and the Damage it Can Do to Your Chimney, Dangers of Neglecting Chimney Maintenance, Differences Between Above-Ground and In-Ground Fire Pits. gregg1956 August 14, 2010 . Wood IS an Eco-Friendly Way to Heat Your Home, Wood Stoves, Fireplaces and the Danger of Pyrolysis, Yes, Chimney Inspection and Cleaning is Needed After a Mild Winter, Yes, Your Gas Fireplaces Needs to be Inspected Annually. When the tiles become damaged, repair is extremely difficult, even requiring partial teardown of the chimney to accomplish. Visit the Help Desk (800) 482-8719 ; Available Now. The added insulation helps the fireplace operate more effectively, keeping the air hot until it exits the chimney. These measurements are for multiple flue chimneys. The cause of third degree creosote is burning wood when the flue isn’t warmed and temperatures in the flue are too low. Contact our chimney technicians today to schedule a chimney inspection, flue liner repair, or flue liner replacement. 3. When it comes to your chimney system, the chimney crown withstand more weather and wear and tear than any of the other parts. Does anybody know? Why Price Matters When Hiring a Chimney Company, Why the Best Time to Install a Chimney Cap is Now, Why You Should Add a Second Fireplace to Your Home, Why You Should Hire a Certified Chimney Sweep, Why You Should Keep a Close Eye on Your Chimney Liner, Why You Should Shop Early for a New Fireplace, Stove or Fireplace Insert.