Problems/Solutions
Common problems with chimneys and their associated solutions include, but are not limited to:
Flue filled with pyrolyzed creosote after a chimney fire.
Soot and Creosote
Soot and especially creosote can be a major problem. While you can never remove 100% of soot or creosote, sweeping will remove the majority of it and make your chimney that much safer to operate.
Creosote is highly flammable. When it’s allowed to build up, the result could be a chimney fire. No matter what kind of chimney you have, such overheating is dangerous to the chimney structure and the surrounding building.
A chimney shell that has cracked.
Masonry Deterioration and Cracked Chimney Shells
Masonry units and especially the mortar holding them together deteriorate over time. Weather damage can cause so much damage over time that your chimney can become unsafe to use and even collapse.
Repointing (Tuckpointing) will repair cracks and deteriorated motor joints in your chimneys shell. Once repairs are made ChimneySaver can be used to seal your chimney and prevent further damage.
Cracked chimney crowns can lead to water intrusion and an unusable chimney. We can use CrownCoat which carries a 15 year guarantee to repair your crown. If your chimneys crown is too badly damaged we can repair it with a two stage repair, rebuilding the damaged portion of the chimney crown and then CrownCoating.
Before and after photos of a badly cracked chimney crown.
Look close, that's a raccoon in at the bottom of that chimney flue.
Spark caps/Rain caps are required per UBCode. Lack of a chimney cap is not only a safety hazard by allowing sparks and cinders out of your chimney it is a structural hazard by allowing rain into your flue.
Rain can lead to spalling of flue liners and deterioration of the mortar joints between your liners. Lack of a spark/rain cap and also allow animals to enter your home via the chimney. We offer Stainless Steel Lifetime Warranty Spark/Rain caps and can special order copper caps if you prefer.
Bees that made a hive in an unlucky home owners chimney.
Bees are common unwelcome guests in any chimney. After extermination we can remove the hive and install a cap/damper combo, the best way to help prevent their return.
Prefab or Factory Built Chimneys
Prefab box replacement
A very common problems and a potential fire hazard are cracked refractory plates in your prefab firebox. We offer cut to fit UL listed and tested replacement refractory
plates or installation of factory parts when available.
Most manufacture specifications recommend that when panels are cracked more then 1/16th inch they shall be replaced to prevent heat transfer.
Rusted chase cover and caps: We offer replacement with manufactured listed replacement parts.
Cracked and spalling liners are a fire hazard and health risk. We are proud to offer HeatShield refractory sealant as an alternative to relining your chimney.
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