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Did you know that your fireplace and chimney have several unique and important parts to it? It isn't just a big tube going up out of the roof! There are several different pieces that are in place in order to ensure you and your family are safe and healthy. Anything that has to do with fire and smoke is worth knowing about to ensure the system is working properly. This includes understanding the chimney cap and fireplace damper and the difference between the two.

What is a damper?

First, let's talk about the flue. The flue is where the smoke escapes when the fire is burning in your fireplace. The damper is located in this flue. Dampers

Your chimney is a lot more complex than just a chute going through your ceiling and out the roof. There are several parts that all need to be in working order. One of these is your chimney damper. If it's working the way it should be, it actually saves you money. This is something all homeowners like to hear!

What is a Chimney Damper?

Essentially, they let you control how much air is coming in and out. It's important for a few different reasons. Dampers are made to seal the chimney when fires aren't burning in your fireplace. You close the damper so that the cold air stays out and your home stays warm. Otherwise, your nice toasty air would be going out a big hole in your roof and all that frigid winter air would be coming in! Dampers also send smoke away. Before your fire gets going, be sure to open the damper, so that all of the smoke escapes through the chimney. Thirdly, chimney dampers help control the intensity

When it's frigid cold outside, your home is nice and toasty. This makes it very comfortable for you and your family, and makes all the little critters in your neighborhood pretty jealous. They'd love a spot to get out of the cold. If your chimney doesn't have the necessary parts to seal up tight, they can!

How do Animals get in?

Racoons, rats, mice, birds, and pests would love nothing more than to make a new home in your chimney. They can climb into your chimney easily if your chimney cap is missing or damaged. 

The chimney cap sits at the top of the flue, covering and protecting the flue from both animals and the elements. The solid metal top of the chimney cap prevents water from getting in, during rain and snow. There are also mesh or wire sides that serve two purposes, letting smoke out and preventing animals from getting in.

Chimney caps are a very important chimney product because they actually serve several purposes. Putting a chimney rain cap on top of your chimney prohibits deterioration on the inside from the elements, including both snow and rain. Using a chimney cap, also known as spark arrestors, prevents hot sparks from escaping from the chimney and landing on an area that could cause a fire. This includes your roof, of course. Beyond these, chimney caps also keep birds, squirrels, rats, mice, bats and other animals from making a nest inside of your chimney or using the chimney as a gateway to enter your home. Wow, all of a sudden- it's pretty clear to see why you need to buy a chimney cap online!

As soon as you begin shopping, you'll realize that not all chimney caps are the same. You have options! A few of the

It's probably no surprise that chimneys get so dirty. Technically it isn't "dirt" per se, but actually creosote exposure.  Creosote is that heavy sticky black substance that you see inside your chimney. When you burn wood in your fireplace, the unburned wood particles, tar, smoke, and other debris that goes out of your home through the chimney combines with water vapor to create creosote. If you have a chimney, you're going to have to clean it!

When your chimney is not cleaned for a long time, the creosote keeps building up in the flue during the use of the fireplace. This creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a dangerous chimney fire. Your chimney could actually catch on fire and burn uncontrollably! An unattended chimney can also gather a lot of ash and tar, which may eventually find its way back to your house. This mixture of ash and tar may cause severe breathing problems for you and your family.

A chimney liner is exactly what it sounds like, a lining that goes inside of your chimney. You might be wondering, “Why would I need to line my chimney with something, isn’t that what the chimney is made to do?” Most homes with a chimney were originally constructed with clay or ceramic liner. These are often used when a home is first built because they’re inexpensive and work well with a brand new fireplace and chimney. However, clay chimney liners are not the most durable and can crack and erode under extreme weather changes and conditions.

Do you really need a liner, though? Yes! A chimney liner might not seem like an important part of your chimney, but in reality, it’s extremely important and improves the safety of your fireplace and home. Additionally, a chimney liner is often required to be present to pass inspection to sell your home. It isn't just a rule; there are many benefits to installing a chimney liner. Just a few of these include:

A flue liner has to be able to stand up to the stresses and strains of being pulled and pushed down a chimney. It also needs to be impervious to continuous high temperatures and bursts of immense heat.  The best brands will ensure that any moisture or tar that runs back down the liner goes straight into the stove without leaking out of the fitting whereas cheaper options might fail to do so. There are different grades of liner available, an average one used for most domestic uses but there are higher grades on the market which are more suitable for higher temperatures, possibly for industrial usage.

If you have a chimney then a chimney flue liner is what you require but if you have a stove then you are more likely to require a stove flue pipe. The chimney liner is made of a flexible material which can be fitted into any shaped chimney and then an insulator is usually poured down the sides. Conversely,

If you have an open fire or a wood burner, it is very important that you keep your chimney clean. It is recommended by experts, that you have it cleaned at least once a year, if not more in certain circumstances. Chimneys that aren’t lined can be very difficult to maintain and clean because of the nature of the stone or brick they are made from.

There are many places where soot and tar can build up which are difficult to get to with brushes and other cleaning tools. If you ‘line’ your chimney with a chimney liner then the flue becomes a continuous, smooth tube with fewer surfaces for the soot or tar to condense onto. If any tar does form, it can easily slide back into the fire and be re-burnt. The liner will also prevent any smoke or harmful gases from seeping out of the cracks in your masonry.

Another

Many homeowners who have never replaced their chimney liner are probably unaware if they even have one already. When a fireplace needs a new chimney liner, it's recommended you go with a stainless steel option because of its durability overtime. There are several benefits to installing a new chimney liner, the biggest of which is safety.

For generations, the fireplace has been the staple in many homes - especially around the holidays. Back in the day, the fireplace, or even just a simple fire pit, had a sense of community and safety around it, which still carries through today. The fireplace is that one part of the home where you all gather around and enjoy each other's company - of course, the kitchen is also good for that, but does anyone really talk while they're essentially inhaling the holiday feast? Probably not.