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Few things can match the cozy charm of a roaring fireplace, but to keep that fire burning safely, your chimney must have a properly functioning chimney liner. Chimney liners enable the heat and assorted chemical gasses that develop in the fireplace to be carried safely up and through the chimney in order to be released outside. Chimeny liners that become damaged must be replaced as soon as possible in order to operate the fireplace efficiently and safely.
Chimney liners should be inspected annually as part of your yearly chimney cleaning chore. Without a properly functioning chimney liner, the mortar between the bricks of the chimney can be eaten away. Instead of having dangerous gasses escape through the chimney and into the fresh air, they can retreat back into the house and harm the home’s occupants.
When looking to select a chimney liner for a new chimney or to replace a defective liner, there are three main choices. The most common chimney liners are made from clay tiles which allow for the even distribution of heat as wood in the fireplace continues to burn and vent smoke and gasses.
Metal chimney liners constructed of stainless steel or aluminum are a good choice for wood burning or gas operated fireplaces. Cast-in-place chimney liners are the third option, permanent liners that are the most lightweight of the three choices but which can still add stability to an aging chimney structure.
Ask your chimney professional which category of chimney liners is the best choice for your chimney structure, Heavy, featuring the strongest and thickest liner construction, High Performance Light or Light. Installing a chimney liner should be done by a professional who will also be responsible for its annual maintenance check. Be sure that the chimney liner you purchase features an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing for optimum performance in preventing fires as well as a lifetime warranty.
When a chimney liner is properly secured in place, the venting performance of the fireplace will actually be improved. Chimney liners that are too small can negatively affect the venting process.
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Where can I hire a fireplace and chinmney cleaner?
You should hire a fireplace and chimney cleaner at least once a year for inspection. You can find top rated fireplace and chimney cleaners near your area in your local phone book, or you can call the Chimney Safety Institute of America to get some phone numbers.
What companies do chimney repair in San Francisco?
Mister Chimney, SF Chimney Sweep and Fireplace Safety Services Inc are just a few of the companies that can provide customers with assistance in order to repair broken chimneys.
Who can I hire to check the safety of my chimney?
Who can I hire to check the safety of my chimney?
What are the benefits of using chimney lining?
One of the top benefits of using chimney lining would be the safety that it can assist. The lining keeps the fireplace tiles from eroding from the gases that come from it, and all the linings come with a full lifetime warranty.
Expert Chimney Cleaning Near Me: Your Local Solution for Clean and Safe Chimneys?
Looking for professional chimney cleaning near you? Our experienced team provides top-notch chimney cleaning services in your area. Ensure the safety and efficiency of your fireplace with our trusted local experts. Contact us today!
Fireplace Inspection: Saves Money on Fireplace Repairs?
A working fireplace adds not only heat to a home, but also adds an arguably unmatched aesthetic appeal to any room. As with anything, the benefits of a fireplace do not come without its negative: regular maintenance. Although maintenance on a fireplace is not as frequent as say an automobile, fireplace repairs are necessary to keep a fireplace working in a safe manner. The following lists common fireplace problems and will help give insight into why regular fireplace maintenance should be a priority.BlockageOne of the most frequent problems fireplace experience overtime is blockage. Specifically, blockage occurs in the flue of a chimney. The reason for blockage can be one of many, ranging from bird nests to dislodged material and debris from inside the chimney. Blockages are a problem because they prevent the chimney from performing one of its main tasks: removing smoke and gas created within the fireplace from the home. Local chimney repair specialists will be able to skillfully and quickly remove the obstruction, allowing the fireplace and chimney to once again function normally.Cracking in the FlueAnother of the most common fireplace problems is when the flue begins to crack overtime. Cracking can result from flue age, gases created from the fireplace, or a combination of both. As a fireplace gets older, naturally its materials will begin to degrade over time. The fireplace also creates gases which can be corrosive to the flue and other areas to which they are exposed. Tying into the first problem, cracking can lead to blockages in the future, so making sure the fireplace is inspected at least annually by a trained professional can save a homeowner a lot of financial headaches in the future.External Brickwork DamageAs the corrosive gas from the fireplace can lead to blocking, it can also lead to external damage to the chimney's outer brickwork. A leaking flue caused by a crack can severely damage the external masonry work and entire chimney infrastructure integrity overtime. Once the structure of the chimney is compromised, major repairs will be needed in order to keep the fireplace working safely.At the very least, every home with a fireplace should have its fireplace inspected by a local chimney repair specialist. The price of an inspection is a small price to pay for safety, but an inspection can also save a homeowner money by preventing the need for major repairs.
Chimney Repair Requires Professional Service?
A Working fireplace with a chimney is a wonderful home feature but a chimney needs periodic maintenance and quite frequently, many chimneys also need repair. Any type of problem with a chimney should be corrected as quickly as possible, because breathing hazards and other health concerns could develop. When chimney repair work is needed, there are are plenty of companies that offer chimney cleaning as one of their services, but it is much better to let a qualified, trusted and reliable local chimney repair company perform the repairs. Sometimes, draft and smoking problems may arise in a chimney and repair must be done. One of the most common and effective solutions to smoking and draft issues is to install a chimney cap, preferably a vacuum style model. Chimney fan and ventilation sytems are other effective products. The removal of creosote through regular sweeping keeps chimneys clean and safe to operate. When creosote is allowed to accumulate, it hardens and eventually becomes glazed. Removing glazed creosote can often be a difficult task, depending on how long the creosote was forming. Chimney flue liners, especially older-style ceramic liners also frequently crack and need repair. Cracked flue liners can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide in the home and should be repaired as soon as possible. Another form of chimney repair that is commonly required is the replacement or addition of chimney mortar. This process is known as repointing and can be quite time consuming. When chimney mortar is loose or missing, it can lead to cracks and leaks and the safety of the entire structure can be compromised. In areas where earthquakes are common, older-style brick chimneys are very susceptible to damage when quakes occur. Also, in areas where freezing and subsequent thawing are prevalent, cracks in chimney walls occur frequently. Because of possible safety hazards, it is recommended that only skilled professionals perform chimney repairs. Sometimes, friends, relatives and co-workers can provide references for qualified chimney repair companies in your local area. "
How To Choose The Proper Type Of Chimney Liner?
There are three major types of chimney liners in use today: clay, ceramic, and metal. The flue linings serve several important functions that are critical in maintaining the safety of the chimney and ensuring that it is operating at its maximum efficiency. First of all, liners help maintain the integrity of the masonry construction. Smoke byproducts can contain acids and other caustic chemicals that will erode the masonry mortar overtime. This can cause deadly gases, such as carbon monoxide, to leak back into the home. Secondly, chimney liners help mitigate heat transfer. A chimney that lacks a lining or that is improperly lined can reach temperatures hot enough to cause wooden framing to combust. Lastly, properly sized flue liners ensure that smoke and heat leaves the home as efficiently as possible. A too large or too small of liner may allow too much outside air to enter the home or too little smoke to exist. For these reasons it is important to invest in a clay, ceramic, or metal liner... but which one should you choose? Your first option is clay tiling. Clay tiles are inexpensive and a very common choice. They perform their role well, but are a bit more fragile than metal and cast-in-place ceramics. Clay tiles transfer heat less efficiently than metal and may absorb it unevenly, causing them to crack. However, in general they will provide years of use before this occurs. Metal liners are typically made of stainless steel or aluminum, and are effective even for hot burning gas furnaces and stoves. They are extremely durable, and when installed with chimney insulation, very effective at heat transfer. Plus they are fairly inexpensive and can be installed easily in an existing chimney. Cast-in-place ceramic liners typically use a concrete-like material that is poured down an existing chimney. They provide a lot of the benefits of metal chimney liners, with the added benefit of increasing the structural integrity of damaged or aging chimneys. These types of ceramic liners involve more labor than metal ones and can sometimes be more expensive, but are well worth if it if you have an older chimney. As you can see, a ceramic, clay, or metal chimney liner can make your home both safer and more efficient.
What are the health concerns for chimney sweepers?
I want to be a chimney sweeper. What are some of the health and safety concerns for chimney sweepers?
How To Choose The Right Chimney Liner For Your Home?
For anyone that has a chimney in their home, a chimney liner is necessary. Over time the inside of your chimney can break down and allow exhaust fumes to enter your home, causing serious health and safety problems for you and your family. Installing a chimney liner can help eliminate this problem. However you must first decide which available model chimney liner will provide the best results and work in the fashion that you need it to. There are basically four different types of chimney liners that are used by most homeowners. Depending on the type of appliances that you have and the amount of use you use them for will determine the right solution for you. 1. Clay Tile Chimney Liner. A clay tile chimney liner is the most affordable option when choosing a chimney liner. There are however, many negative aspects when using this type of liner for your home. The tiles are not able to distribute the heat evenly and can put more pressure in certain areas over others, causing the tiles to become brittle and crack more rapidly. This option also is not a good choice when using with gas appliances, as it does not handle combustible materials accurately. However, if you are using this for a fireplace and do not use it often, the clay tile chimney liner option would be beneficial for you. 2. Stainless Steel Chimney Liner. A stainless steel chimney liner is perfect to use with oil, gas or wood. The stainless steel chimney liner is available in a variety of shapes and is made to model to your specific chimney size. The catch with this model chimney liner is that regardless on which option, gas, oil or wood, that you use it with, you can not use it with another option later on. 3. Aluminum Chimney Liner. Aluminum chimney liners are economical and excellent for using to replace an old chimney liner model. The only catch with this option is that it is only recommended to be used with medium efficiency gas model appliances. 4. Cast in Chimney Liners. A cast in chimney liner is able to work correctly with all wood, oil and gas model appliances regardless of their size. This model lasts the longest and provides the best result because it is modeled completely to the inside of your chimney. However, the one drawback to this model is that it is the most costly of all available chimney liner options.
How often should your chimney be swept?
The Chimney Safety Institute recommends that if you light fires in your fireplace or woodstove three or more times a week during the heating season, you should have your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year. If you burn unseasoned wood (wood that is still a bit wet or green), twice-a-year cleaning and inspection may be necessary.
Why can't i open the damper in fireplace?
Put on a pair of safety glasses or goggles (you ARE going to get stuff in your face) get a good flashlight, and get a look at the damper. Most are hinged, and will swing UP the chimney. Most have a bracket and support the holds it open or closed. With the light to help you see, move the support so that it is free of the bracket, and try to swing it open (up). If it does not move, you may have foreign material in the chimney (especially if your chimney does not have a cap). If that is the case, you need the services of a chimney sweep.
