As a chimney repair specialist since 1986, I have noticed that most people who have a fireplace or wood-stove would love to have the occasional fire. However, they usually don’t, because they are concerned there may be something wrong, and will be difficult or expensive.
Chimneys really aren’t that complicated. They are very simple. Having a basic understanding will help the whole process of knowing when and where chimney repair is necessary. There are two different kinds of chimney’s generally, Masonry, and factory-built Chimney’s:
- Masonry – What we usually picture when we think about chimneys is a masonry chimney: one constructed of brick, concrete blocks, or stone. This type usually needs the most chimney repair compared to factory-built chimney’s.
- Factory Built Chimney’s – There are a few different styles but all are constructed from metal and other materials. Usually needing very minor chimney repair
There are advantages and limitations to each kind: Masonry chimneys incorporate traditional beauty that many homeowners want. Factory-built chimneys offer a non-masonry option that often proves easier to install, at a lower price. Some types of chimneys are designed only for appliances that burn certain fuels. We will go over the pro’s and con’s of each type on this page. First, let’s go over the basics of how a chimney works.
Anatomy of your Chimney
A chimney, in it’s simplest form, is a vertical tube designed to draw combustion products (smoke and gasses) from an appliance like a fireplace or wood stove to the outside of your house. The Basic Parts are:
- Flues – Inside a chimney you’ll find one or more vertical tubes or passageways called flues. Preferably, each appliance connected to the chimney (such as each fireplace, each furnace, each wood stove) has its own, separate flue. More than one flue might be contained in one masonry chimney. So if you have a furnace and a fireplace connected to the same chimney, there should be at least two vertical passageways up the inside of the chimney.
- Metal Factory – built chimneys, of course, contain only one passageway for venting smoke and gasses, the inside of the pipe.
- Flue Liners – In a modern masonry chimney, the inner wall of the flue is lined with some type of material, for safety, ease of cleaning, and improved performance. Interested in a Stainless Steel Liner, click here for info.
Old Tyme Chimney Repair also offers Fireplace Repair in Massachusetts!