Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance is Essential Before Winter

Unfortunately, too many people neglect to complete proper maintenance and monitoring of their furnace flues and chimneys until it is too late.

Often people falsely assume that these things are being monitored by their utility company or fuel supplier. A dangerous situation can be created by debris and animal nests in the chimney or flue which cause dangerous gases to drift back into the home.

You should get your chimney inspected and have regular maintenance performed no matter what type it is. You should have no problem finding a qualified local chimney sweep to service your chimney, whether you have a masonry chimney attached to a wood burning appliance or not.

Over time soot and creosote can build up along the walls of your flue. Moisture in exhaust gases, and time, can cause this build up to fall, blocking the flue and filling the clean-out cavity. Both masonry and metal chimney can be impacted by the corrosive elements of these gases.
You also need to watch out for moisture, which can enter chimneys from cracked concrete tops, uncapped chimneys, and through the bricks themselves. The gases inside your fireplace can also cause extra condensation, and problems. Lower flue sizes (3-4 inches) are now used on new gas furnaces that have lower exhaust temperatures. This helps ensure that vapors are not able to cool before exiting the flue, and therefore cannot condense on the flue walls. The only exception to this is new high-efficiency models which usually use plastic vents. Old unlined masonry chimneys can have deterioration from water damage and very inefficient drafting. You may have noticed white deposits on your masonry chimney. These minerals and salts, known as effluorescence, are the result of water surfacing and evaporating.

The selection and installation of your fireplace venting is critical to the safe and efficient operation of your fireplace. It is best if the shortest, straightest, pipe possible is used to connect the furnace to the chimney. Any metal chimney that is installed on the exterior of a home should be approved for outdoor use and properly insulated.

The draft of your chimney is often impacted by how “tight” your home is, which can be impacted if you install new doors or window in your home. You can have the draft evaluated by a professional chimney sweep. You can repair, line, and water proof older chimneys that are still in relatively good condition. You should immediately replace any metal flue or liner which is not sizes correctly, rusted, or damaged in any way.
 

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