Fireplace Information Blog

A chimney damper is a necessary accessory for homes with a chimney. It allows all of the smoke and soot to go out, without letting anything down the chimney itself. This means rainwater, pests, and more. A chimney damper is also a great device to close off your chimney flue and help keep heat and cooling in your home instead of leaving right up and out the chimney flue. 

A chimney damper is a fairly simple device; it is used to close or partially close off the flue. When the damper is in the open position, it allows the smoke away to exit out. In the closed position, the damper helps prevent outside air from entering or your conditioned air from exiting the house. This will help to make your home more energy-efficient.

They are constructed of metal and can withstand the heat of the fire and still function properly without damage. They are controlled by a handle, pull chain, or latch. Once

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 can be intimidating. After all, it’s not something you have ever thought much about and it’s not exactly the easiest to-do on your home maintenance list. Should you just ignore it and assume it's fine? Definitely not! This "forget it" mindset could have dire consequences when it comes to your family’s safety. Though it’s not pleasant to think about, house fires do happen. It's best to learn what your chimney needs in order to be safe and clean. 

One of the most important things to consider is a chimney cap. A chimney cap plays an important role in your home’s chimney system. If your home doesn't already have one, here are just a few of the reasons why you should consider installing a chimney cap:

#1 It stops sparks and embers

Your chimney isn't something to simply ignore. Just like your hot water heater or your HVAC unit, it does its job without an issue...most of the time. But then, there's a problem. The sooner you recognize the issue, the more likely it is to be a simple DIY fix. For this reason, it's important to not only know what the most common chimney problems are, but also how to fix them. Here's a great list to get you started:

#1 Obstruction or blockage

Animals like birds, raccoons, rats, mice, and squirrels often try to make their homes within chimneys. After all, it's pretty warm and cozy! These animals can enter and block a chimney without a cap. A chimney cap plays an important role in your home’s chimney system. If your home doesn't already have one, now is the time to order one. 

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.

One of the biggest complaints about fireplaces from homeowners is that from time to time, an odor can be smelled coming from the chimney. Not only does this bad smell fill up your fireplace but also the rest of your house. Closing the windows and turning your AC on is often a solution most people opt for. However, without a doubt, that won't work. In fact, it makes the stench even worse!  For you to eliminate this smell, you will have to start at the source. For a fact, all chimneys produce a little odor that is unnoticeable due to the air that eliminates the odor on the top side of the stack, but when something smells out of place, here's what to do.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

Hiring a professional is the easiest way to deal with the stench that comes from the fireplace. The professional will conduct an annual chimney cleaning and safety inspection. Of course, this isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s the most effective.

The cost of relining a chimney varies. Typically, the cost can be anything between $2,500 and $7,000. Ultimately the cost will be determined by the type of lining you would want to have installed. Knowing what lining is can help you understand the cost involved.

Types of Chimney Liners

Surprisingly, if you live in an old home, the chimney might not have a lining of any kind! For several decades, liners have been a constant requirement for operating fireplaces. This is attributed to the fact that they do a better job of channeling gases up through the chimney top. Houses that lack a liner will not be able to do this effectively. The liners also help in fire prevention by blocking heat from getting to materials that are combustible. The types of liners are:

Clay Tile Liners

The least costly