Fireplace and Chimney Construction - Masonry
These are generally constructed of brick or stone. The firebox may be metal but is most often built of firebrick. The chimney is usually lined with a terra cotta liner. Masonry is strong and durable and adds an air of structural soundness to the house. Brick and stone impart feelings of permanence and stability while adding a quiet beauty both inside and out. These range in price from $2,000 and up.
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"But my furnace chimney looks fine on the outside."
Many chimneys venting gas or oil furnaces may appear to be in fine condition on the outside. But inside it could be a completely different situation. Yesterday's chimneys were not designed for venting today's more energy efficient furnaces. Let's take a close look at what really counts ... the inside.
Now look inside ... See the problems?
A look at the inside of this same chimney shows how acid-laden residue from the furnace has attacked this flue. The original clay liner has eroded away; pieces of it are even missing. (Old chimneys might not even have a liner.) Mortar and bricks are loose and falling, and moisture has leeched through to the home's interior walls.
With continued use, more erosion will take place, possibly leading to leaks in the flue, complete flue blockage, or possibly even carbon monoxide poisoning of the home's occupants.
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Chimney problems can cause illness and even loss of lives.
It's happened thousands of times - illness, even death, from carbon monoxide or sulfur dioxide poisoning.
With deterioration of the flue, the deadly gases can find their way into your home through even the smallest cracks.
In severe cases, the chimney erosion will lead to partial or complete internal collapse, blocking the flue and sending these poisonous gases into the home.
But fortunately, the problems of a deteriorating gas or oil furnace flue can be corrected without completely rebuilding your chimney.
Pre-Fabricated
These are generally factory preassembled units that are specially designed so as to allow placement in close proximity to combustible materials; hence the name "zero-clearance" has been given to them. These fireplaces are coming into wide use as an economical alternative to more expensive masonry fireplaces. They are usually attached to a factory made metal chimney. The fireplace and chimney generally range in price from $1,500-$2,500 installed. Freestanding fireplaces would also fall in this category. (Click on image at right for larger view.)
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for Larger View.
Chimney Caps
An Open Chimney Is Serious Business.
• A Cap Keeps Out The Rain
If this were the only reason for installing a cap it would be enough. I have seldom seen an uncapped chimney over five years old that was not suffering from some kind of water damage. Go over to your fireplace right now and look at the back firewall near the base. Take a screwdriver or coin and run it across the mortar in the bricks. Seem a little crumbly? Or maybe it's obvious just looking at it. Rain puddles upon the smoke shelf, mixes with creosote in the chimney and turns into a highly corrosive acid. It then seeps down and attacks the mortar joints on the back wall of the fireplace. It becomes weak and presto, the bricks on that wall come loose. Besides that:
• Rain soaks into the mortar joints in the flue. When it freezes it expands eroding and weakening the mortar bands and, thus, the whole chimney. Such a chimney becomes very weak with time.
• Rain can set off a bad smell in the chimney. This will happen in warm weather, especially if the chimney is dirty or has bird droppings on the shelf.
• If yours is a metal firebox you can plan on replacing it in 5-10 years. You won't see the rust until the damage is done as it starts from the back and eats through to the front. By the time you see the rust, it's time to replace the firebox, and that will cost you a fortune.
• If you have a wood stove insert in your fireplace, the rain will cause it to rust rapidly. Heat greatly increases the rate of oxidation (rusting). The continuous operation of the stove mixed with the water will cause this process to take place much faster than normal.
• A Cap Keeps Out The Birds, Squirrels, And Other Vermin
• A Cap Prevents Roof Fires
• A Cap Inhibits Downdrafting
• A Cap Keeps Out Leaves
What's It Like to Have A Chimney Fire
It's no picnic. Chances are it will only scare the daylights out of you. However, it can damage the house considerably if allowed to get out of control. A chimney fire burns so hot (sometimes in excess of 2,000°) that it can crack the flue tiles and spread to other parts of the house. The brickwork itself can radiate enough heat to ignite paneling or surrounding woodwork. The fire can melt mortar from the chimney joints and send it flying into the air like a roman candle with red hot pieces falling on your roof and that of your neighbors. Add to that the embarassment of having three firetrucks parked in your driveway, and you can begin to get the picture.
How Often Should A Chimney Be Cleaned?
I'm probably asked this question more than any other and the most solid answer I can give is a lawyer's answer - it all depends.
1. How often you use the chimney.
2. How your fireplace and chimney are constructed.
3. How well you manage your fire.
4. What type of wood you burn.
5. How well seasoned it is.
6. How often you let the fire smolder itself out.
7. What the weather is like.
What To Do In Case of A Chimney Fire
1. Call the Fire Department. Hopefully the fire will be out before they get there, but you will want them to inspect the structure and make sure there is no latent damage or hazard.
2. If you have one, use a chemical flare type chimney fire extinguisher. If you don't have one go to the next step. After the excitement is over, go buy one.
3. If you have a stove, close off the air inlets. If you have a fireplace with glass doors, close the doors and the vents. If you have an open fireplace, go to the next step. Do not close the damper.
4. Go outside and hose down the roof surrounding the chimney. Do not hose the chimney itself or try to put water down the flue. Not only will it make a mess of your house where the water comes out the other end, but it will very likely damage the flue tiles.
5. After the firemen leave call a chimney sweep and get your chimney cleaned. Chances are the firemen will condemn the chimney until you do. One of the most dangerous myths I know is that a chimney fire will leave the chimney clean. The truth is that the fire will compound the problem by causing the creosote present to expand and honeycomb, preparing a better surface for more to collect on and one much more likely to ignite again with much less provocation.
6. Sit down and write your own version of what it's like to have a chimney fire
About The Chimney Sweep
Is He Insured?
Any good sweep carries lots of insurance.
What Is His Training?
Has he had any formal training in chimney sweeping? If so, where? Did he go to school, or just watch some other sweep? Don't fall for the "25 years experience" line. Modern sweep methods have only been in existence for about five years. Most of today's sweeps are woodburning professionals whose overall business is wood heat and its components. Beware of the roofers or brickmasons who claim to have "worked around" chimneys for so many years. If their price seems especially attractive, they may be looking for a roofing job or major repair job that you may not really need.
What Are His Credentials?
Does he belong to the National or State Chimney Sweep Guild? Has he been certified by them, or any other solid fuel certification program? A "no" doesn't necessarily indicate he won't do a good job. It does indicate he's not very serious about his profession if he calls himself a professional.
What Are His Rates?
If he is charging $10 or $15 less than others in the area, be careful. He's taking a shortcut somewhere, or he plans to make up for it in some other way. If he is charging more than the norm, he's probably worth it. He wouldn't be getting it if he wasn't. Does he have a minimum charge? Professional sweeps are honest folks who will tell you if your chimney does not need cleaning. However, he has taken the time and given you an inspection and that's worth something. Most will charge an inspection fee if they don't clean the chimney. If a sweep tells you he will give you a free inspection or estimate, he is not very likely to be as honest with you if it means leaving empty handed. It's worth the extra fee to get a professional opinion from a professional sweep.
