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Four Pathways to Chimney Damage
Did the crown erode and let water in? Did the mortar weaken, allowing the crown to settle… causing a cracked crown letting more water in.
Anatomy of a chimney
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. Here are the basic parts:
Masonry Repairs
Chimney Repointing is the process of carefully removing deteriorated mortar from the joints of a masonry wall and replacing it with new mortar that has been intelligently formulated.
Chimney Relining
Chimney liners are used to protect the inside of a masonry chimney from wear and tear caused by wet conditions. Moisture, over time, will cause decay and corrosion of mortar, clay, and brick liners. How? Moisture reacts with the exhaust gases to form an acid that slowly “eats away” at the chimney. Moisture also, can collect and seep into cracks, mortar and bricks. In colder climates, this moisture will freeze, expand and then thaw, thus causing chunks of the chimney to break and crumble.
Cost comparison of a Cast-in-place chimney liner
When contemplating the repair of a chimney, there are, unfortunately, many considerations which do not become apparent until after the work has been completed and the contractor is long gone. This frequently occurs as the result of misleading or misinformed analysis of the damaged chimney. It is all too true that when repairs are being discussed, one concern, regretfully, attracts more attention than others: price.
Burn local wood
Firewood can be an economical and environmentally responsible fuel for heating your home. Stored solar energy in the form of firewood has historically been humankind’s most available and commonly used fuel. Nothing beats the warmth of a wood fire on a cold winter’s eve. To help halt the spread of invasive, tree damaging insects, acquire your firewood from local sources. Firewood cut from fresh trees or trees recently infested by insects and disease can contribute to the spread of pests to nearby healthy trees. Transportation of invasive insects through firewood enables them to spread and infest more trees.
A chimney without a cap
Imagine how much water would come into your home during a rainstorm if you had a hole in your roof twelve inches square. Chimney flues may be even larger than that, so where does all that water go? It runs down the chimney and seeps into the bricks and mortar, settling behind the firebricks.
Chimney liner: cast masonry vs stainless steel
What concerns should you have: what is the longevity of these products? What is their endurance capability? What about the safety of the system? What you are really asking is, What is the difference between products?
Selling your home? Hire a chimney sweep
How can a chimney sweep help you sell your home? With all the details you need to attend to as you prepare for a sale, why would you want to choose this time to hire a chimney sweep? When preparing to buy or sell a home with a combustion appliance, be it a furnace, fireplace or woodstove, the standards of the National Fire Protection Association recommend obtaining a thorough inspection of the chimney and venting systems. The condition of the chimney may be a factor in the sale.
Why you should call a chimney sweep
Why should you call a chimney sweep? What is the purpose of getting your chimney swept, really? Norman Lenz, with over sixty years experience as a chimney sweep in Canada and Germany, has the answer: “To prevent fires, to save energy and to help prevent pollution.” “ And TO SAVE LIVES,” adds Sandra Mitchell, Honorary Life President of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps in the United Kingdom.
What to Consider When Choosing a Cast Liner
The longevity of a Cast-In-Place Liner is a result of the technique and equipment used during the installation of the product. A great deal of concern should be taken into consideration as to how the Cast Liner is installed. For example, the wall thickness and how this thickness is maintained throughout the entire length of the chimney is very important.
Why, When and How to Hire a Chimney Sweep
How do I find a chimney sweep? What training should a chimney sweep have? Why should I hire a chimney sweep instead of working on the chimney myself? Should a chimney sweep be certified?
