The chimney is a vertical structure designed to escape (vent) smoke and hot gases emitted during cooking on the stove or from a fireplace or stove. The hollow space inside it is called the chimney. It is usually built high to spread the pollutants in the exhaust over a large area and help attract more air for combustion and is important for all those who have built on their rooftops to keep them safe and run smoothly. This article will give you some helpful tips for fixing your chimney repairs.
According to most local regulations, chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be checked at least once a year for reliability, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances.
Common Types of Chimney Problems
The following are 5 common types of chimney repairs which if ignored could lead to severe damage in the long term:
- Falling Garbage
Pieces of brick or mortar debris falling down the chimney indicate a decline in its structure. It could also include small pieces of brick, sand, tar, soot, or bits of mortar. It can be easily fixed by replacing broken bricks and repointing the chimney.
- Heating Openings
If openings in an adjacent or higher wall are heating up, this is a sign of furnace flue deterioration. A common symptom of this is dull, black spots that begin to appear on its opening, arising from condensed resin or acid in the flue. It can cause damage to the brickwork structure.
When the fire does not pull in properly, it is due to obstruction of the chimney or when the height of the chimney is insufficient in relation to the roof ridge. However, increasing the height will help draw out enough fire, and it must be combined with clearing the obstructed chimney too.
- Excessive Soot
When the chimney is not of the correct diameter for the fireplace or stove, or when the fumes do not grow quickly, it can create carbon deposits. Soot is especially dangerous if the structure has deteriorated. Making the flue of the correct diameter reduces the collection of soot.
Smoke-containing carbon monoxide (Co) is dangerous and can have serious health implications. Lower levels of CO2 concentration can cause dizziness, confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting. This requires immediate attention to a qualified technician.
- Flue Cracking
The flue is the inside section of your chimney and it is also prone to a number of issues over time. Since it is the most exposed section of your flue, it is also one of the first things your chimney repair professional will inspect. Generally, a chimney lining is included when a fireplace is built. The most cost-effective type of lining is clay tile; this isn’t as durable as stainless steel. Many homeowners are no doubt aware of the amount of wear and tear chimneys are subjected to, so if they aren’t made of constructed steel, there’s a fair chance it’ll get damaged over time.
Through continuous maintenance, and by replacing the clay tile, you can easily elongate the lifetime of the flue and thereby create a more stable chimney structure.
- Dampness
A damp shaft will stain the ceiling and openings as well as the walls around the fireplace. This can be caused by several factors that drain moisture, mainly porous clay bricks, unvented chimney, rainwater, etc.
Get your chimney repairs fixed today
Most of the above problems can be repaired with simple repair instructions. However, given the busy daily schedules, you are likely to ignore them and therefore hiring a professional chimney roofer to sort out your repairs may be the next viable option. You can find more information about your chimney repair services or get in touch with us for a free quotation.
