After years of using your fireplace and chimney, are you starting to see cracks in the masonry? Problems with the flue? Perhaps there’s some sort of odor inside your chimney? Or there’s just TOO MUCH smoke coming out of your chimney, or worse, out of the fireplace and into the living room? Eventually when you have had your fireplace for decades or even just a few years, these things will start to happen. And yes, that’s the time to call the experts on this field.
Your chimney isn’t meant to last a lifetime without maintenance. Here are some common problems that arise.
A chimney has to endure many things in its lifespan: the changing seasons that introduce humidity and moisture into the masonry, extreme weather conditions like below zero freezing temperatures, unexpected natural calamities like earthquakes and hurricanes. It is our role as homeowners to make sure we that the damaging effects of these situations are dealt with or lessened in order to prolong the safety and usefulness of the home heating system. This is why we need to replace and fix parts that badly need attention.
Common Parts that Need to be Fixed or Replaced
- The Flue and Flue Liner – This is the most common part that either needs relining or replacing. This is because the flue plays a crucial part in making sure that the unwanted smoke is directed upwards and out into the open environment. Sometimes when there is too much pressure the flue and the liner might crack. Also, there might be times when there is too much moisture inside the flue that will cause back draft and negative air pressure. That’s why it needs to be inspected from time to time to make sure it’s working properly.
- The Chimney Cap and Crown – This part is your chimney’s first line of defence from weather conditions like heavy rains and storms, blockages caused by fallen leaves or small animals, and water seeping in through the masonry bricks and destroying parts of the chimney. They are often made of stainless steel but even that can’t stop it from getting worn out with time so replacing or repairing chimney caps and crowns is a usual practice.
- The Firebox – This part is often called the heat exchanger, where all the chemicals and harmful toxins can accumulate. Yes, cleaning it might sometimes do the trick but we are mostly unaware of the things that have already stuck into it. If there is something going on in the firebox it will result to fires and even carbon monoxide poisoning so just to make sure, we have to eventually replace the firebox.
- Chimney Flashing – The most typical enemy of a chimney is the issue of leaks. It usually occurs in three places:
- Chimney Cap
- Chimney Crown
- The Flashing
- Brick and Mortar Repair – We can never control natural catastrophes from happening and sometimes there is nothing we can do but to repair or replace the things that Mother Nature had to take away. Once there are problems in the bricks and mortar, we will need to use a special kind of glue that will allow the bricks to stick back together. Also, it’s good to have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually to see to it that your chimney is ready to endure the long year ahead. It always starts with the little things.
These repairs cannot be done by just anyone because it might cause bigger problems or miss the signs of problems that could become catastrophic. They require special tools and the necessary training to effectively do the job. You can rely on us to do the task for you. Our people are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of American (CSIA) and the National Fireplace Institute (NFI) and they are ready to do what they do best. Once you entrust your fireplace and chimney into our hands, you can rest easy knowing that it will be maintained to perform at its maximum capacity.