When Should You Inspect Your Chimney

Usually, homeowners don’t give attention to the chimney unless the fireplace is not working. This behavior can lead to problems later when the chimney is dirty or damaged and causes accidents like a chimney fire or smoky fireplace. You need a chimney inspection to avoid problems and keep your fireplace providing warmth safely. Look for the below signs to know if your chimney needs inspection.

It’s Been More Than A Year Since the Last Inspection

A chimney inspection is required at least once a year so that your chimney is checked for leaks, cracks, creosote buildup, crumbling chimney mortar, and other issues. Many homeowners, get their chimneys inspected at the beginning of the winter season.

However, if the last time you had your chimney inspected was more than a year ago, you should consider a professional chimney checkup. Moreover, schedule a chimney inspection a month before winter every year so it doesn’t slip through your mind.

There Is Soot And Creosote Buildup

Soot and creosote are by-products of burning wood. Soot buildup is possible in oil and gas fireplaces as well. Both are black, tar-like substances that are flammable.

These substances keep getting produced and sticking to the walls of the chimney. When the buildup is thick, it can catch fire and cause a chimney fire.

We suggested earlier to get an expert to inspect your chimney yearly. However, you should keep inspecting your chimney every month or week, especially in the winter months when you’re using your fireplace daily.

With the inspection, you can notice problems and consult chimney experts. So, if you notice a 1/8 inch of soot and creosote layer on the chimney liner, get a chimney inspection. The professional will inspect the chimney and thoroughly clean it with special tools.

You Just Bought A New House

There are many things you should get inspected after buying a house. One of them is the chimney. This is necessary because you can’t know the condition of the chimney unless it’s inspected by someone. The chimney can have cracks, leaks, creosote buildup, spalling bricks, or other problems, so you must not skip a chimney checkup to ensure safety.

The Smoke From The Fireplace Is Filling The Room

A smoky fireplace is caused by burning wet wood or faults in the chimney. So, check your wood and make sure that it’s dry and seasoned. If it is, then you should perform a chimney inspection to know why the room is getting filled up with the smoke coming from the fireplace.

The cause of a smoky fireplace can be a closed damper or blocked chimney. Moreover, the reason can also be the absence of a chimney cap and water seepage.

Additionally, if your fireplace is not smoky but it’s giving off a weird smell, it can carbon monoxide. You should get your chimney inspection immediately.

Debris In Your Fireplace

Many animals and birds take refuge in a chimney to protect themselves from the cold. They can also bring leaves, twigs, and other items to make nests. Some of these leaves and sticks can fall into the fireplace and are a clear sign that you should inspect and clean your chimney.

Furthermore, debris in fireplace can be a hint of chimney cracks as well. A chimney inspection is necessary to determine the cause of the problems and perform repairs.

Stains On The Exterior Of The Chimney

A discolored chimney is a sign of various problems depending on the color of the stain. Chimney discoloration is easy to spot because it’s on the exterior walls of the chimney.

  • Black stains on a chimney mean excessive creosote buildup and require a checkup and cleaning.
  • On the other hand, blue or green stains indicate mold or algae growth on the chimney which is due to any moisture-related issue.
  • White stains are due to moisture in the bricks and the affected bricks may require replacement.
  • Red or brown chimney stains can result from rust. It could be water damage inside the chimney or rainwater flowing from the rusted chimney cap onto the chimney walls staining the walls.
Conclusion

Your chimney should be in tip-top condition to ensure the safety of your home and family. To avoid problems, get your chimney inspected by chimney contractors Bowie once a year.

What Is A Chimney Flue And Flue Liner

When you look at the chimney you feel that it is a fairly simple construction. You see the fireplace, dampers, and chimney. But there is more to it than meets the eye. Let’s talk about two commonly confused components of a chimney which should also be on your list during chimney inspection. The chimney flue and the flue liner.

What Is The Flue Liner?

Here the answer is pretty simple. First, you need to understand what a flue is. Right above your firebox, where you light our fire is the smoke chamber.

This is the place where the smoke enters and is then funneled out of the chimney. The smoke is compacted as it makes its way up through the chimney, with the help of the flue. Then it passes through the chimney crown, and then through the cap, and disperses in the air outside.

Chimney flue is usually made up of clay tiles or metals in some cases.

Earlier homes didn’t have flue liners, but after the 1940s it was normal to have them installed. Since flue liners are an integral part of your chimney’s functioning process, therefore, many states have made it obligatory for all chimneys to have flue liners.

Different Types Of Flue Liners

As mentioned above, typical chimneys have their flues liners made of clay tiles. This is the same clay that your backyard flower pots are made of. Clay chimney liners are by far the best way to offer protection against the chemicals found in smoke. They protect your chimneys from deteriorating owing to the aforementioned factors.

Over time these clay tiles will need to be replaced as they crack and deteriorate. Also, if there is considerable creosote build-up and your chimney catches fire, your clay tiles will crack from the heat and fire.

A useful option to line your chimney is to get a stainless-steel chimney liner. They offer sound protection against heat and smoke and can last you for a handsome two decades. The biggest advantage of stainless-steel liners is that they are durable and don’t crack nor corrode. After its installation, you only need to get it inspected once a year.

What Is Chimney Flue?

Chimney flue is the chamber through which the smoke and hot toxic gases make their way outside. The chimney is the visible standing structure that surrounds the flue. It provides insulation, which reduces the risk of fire hazards. A chimney can have several flues, as many fireplaces can be connected to the same chimney. There is an assortment of sizes and styles for chimney flues, but they require regular maintenance for optimal performance and safety.

Flues are usually made from high-quality heat resistant materials because the emitted gases can be very hot. The surrounding chimney structure gives it an additional fire resistance, and also helps in reducing the heat loss, as the bricks of the chimney heat up when gases and smoke pass through it outside the building.

Tiles, bricks, and ceramics are commonly used in the construction process of chimney flues. Although there is a possibility to use metals also for this purpose.

Why Its Used?

The main objective of the flue is to provide exhaust to the combusted materials so that they may not occupy the room. Usually, the flue emits harmful gases, with minimum heat loss, so that the fireplace remains warm for the people indoors without posing safety threats for them.

As far as the structure is concerned, flue liners are upright and they provide the best outlet for the uninterrupted flow of combustible gases and smoke outside the chimney. As with all construction materials, chimney flue will also deteriorate over time. It will get clogged due to the creosote buildup. In addition to compromising the efficacy of the flue, these materials also pose a serious fire hazard. If they get ignited by sparks, they will result in serious chimney fires which can be very dangerous. For this purpose, they need to be regularly cleaned to avoid any buildup and also to prevent fire hazards.

The flue liners need to be replaced after a couple of decades because the heat and smoke deteriorate the materials. You can call in chimney relining services Columbia MD to replace the flue liners.