Bob Davis is a home remodeling contractor and fireplace enthusiast from eastern Ohio. Specializing in restoring older homes, he gets a lot of questions about chimneys. He decided to start this site after noticing the lack of information about chimney liners on the internet in the hopes of helping homeowners improve the safety and efficiency of their chimneys. His hobbies are golf and bird watching.Chimney Insert Guide
You may have heard of a chimney insert before and although the name gives some vague indication of what it is, you may be wondering exactly what it does and why you might need one. Chimney inserts first enter the minds of many homeowners when the term is tossed around in relation to a home inspection or remodeling permit. But what exactly does it do and why is it necessary? Let’s break down some basic information about the chimney insert.
As chimneys age, the effects of burning multiple fires in them over the years begins to take its toll on the structure of the chimney. You can’t necessarily see what is going on inside, but you can only imagine that with all of the heat and fumes from repeated fires that some damage is bound to occur. For example, the mortar in between the bricks of the chimney often begins to deteriorate, creating cracks and holes through which toxic gases and even flames can enter your house. In many older homes, the chimney is inside the house and built into the floor supports or other infrastructure, which means these dangerous byproducts of fires could easily enter your living space. Even newer chimneys are not immune to these dangers, which is why most building codes require chimneys to be lined, particularly those attached to fireplaces.
What a chimney insert or chimney liner does is protect the chimney from all of these dangerous gases and flames. It provides an extra layer through which all of these elements must pass before entering your home and causing problems for you and your family. It is simply a lining made of clay or other materials that covers the inside of your chimney for the gases to pass through on their way out of your roof. It also provides insulation, which improves the efficiency of using a fireplace for heating (not to mention keeping in heat generated by other heat sources in your home).
Perhaps you want a chimney liner insert for peace of mind, or maybe you have to install one to pass a home inspection or get a building permit. Several options exist when it comes to installing chimney insert liners. Although you can install a chimney liner yourself, most people prefer to hire a professional. If you are confident in your home repair skills, you can buy a kit at a home improvement store and lower the insert into your chimney, but this is not a straightforward process. If your chimney is not a standard size or has some curves, the extra money for expert installation will be worth it. After installation, it is important to get a chimney inspection every year or two to ensure it is still in good working order so you can continue to reap the benefits of a chimney insert liner for years to come.
Categorized: Basics, Liners | No comments | Permalink
Tagged with: chimney fires, chimney inspection, Chimney liner, clay liners, fireplace, flue liner, inserts
What Is a Chimney Damper?
A chimney damper goes inside or at the top of your chimney and is designed to serve two purposes. When you are using the fireplace, it can be adjusted to increase or decrease the air flow. It is basically like a lid that you place on your chimney so you have the option of opening it or closing it off. It also serves to prevent the heated air in your house from getting out through the chimney when you’re not using the fireplace. This can help you make significant reductions in your heating expenses. Remember that heat rises and could be escaping through your chimney, so using a fireplace damper is vital.
There are different types of chimney dampers available. The older styles were made of cast iron and sat further down the chimney. These are called throat-mount dampers. These days, the type that sit at the top of the chimney (top-mount dampers) are increasing in popularity. This type can usually be controlled by a cable that extends into the fireplace.. Some have rubber around the perimeter to ensure a tight fit and prevent air from escaping. Many of the top-mount chimney dampers also function as chimney caps. These have the added benefit of stopping birds and other critters from entering your house or building a nest or getting stuck in the chimney.
Dampers can be purchased in most of the standard chimney sizes. If your chimney is an unusual size, it may be necessary to have a custom damper made. If standard chimney sweep brushes don’t fit your chimney, chances are that a standard chimney cap damper won’t either. A perfect fit is absolutely essential for reaping all of the benefits of using a damper. If there are any gaps, it will not be able to do its job. Likewise, it is crucial to replace your chimney damper once it begins to show signs of wear or reduced efficiency. They can warp over time, rendering them useless. If you suspect this is the case, have a chimney inspector or other professional take a look to determine what the problem is.
There are a few precautions that need to be taken when using a fireplace damper. Be warned that if your flue is used for something else besides the fireplace, it could be dangerous to install a chimney damper (for example, if another active heating source in your home shares the same flue). If you are unsure, it is best to have a professional look at it before doing anything.
Remember, the damper should always be open when using the fireplace. If it is closed, the house will fill with smoke quickly and create very dangerous conditions. Always be sure the fire is out completely before closing the damper. And never use a chimney with a damaged or leaking chimney liner.
Categorized: Accessories, Dampers | No comments | Permalink
Tagged with: chimney damper, chimney inspector, custom damper, fireplace, fireplace damper, flue
How to Tell If You Need a Flue Liner
Not sure if you need a flue liner? It’s easy to be confused with all of the chimney advice and terminology out there. Complicating matters even more is the fact that each house is different, and chimney construction can vary dramatically depending on region, age, material, and many other factors. Here are some general guidelines that can help you determine if you need a flue liner.
First, let’s clarify what exactly we are talking about. The physical structure in your house that brings the smoke from the fire to the outside is the chimney, which in most cases is built onto an exterior wall of your house. Some chimneys can go up through the middle of the house to the roof as well, but either way, the chimney is the physical structure. What is inside the chimney differs from home to home, but you may find insulation or just a big empty open space. Generally speaking, the hollow area inside the chimney through which the smoke passes is known as the flue. Some flues have a lining inside of them, and this is the flue liner or chimney liner.
Not every chimney has a flue liner, and some that do may have one that is ineffective, outdated, or even worse… dangerous. Here’s how to tell if you need to install, update, or replace your flue liner.
- Your house is old. Particularly if it was built before the 1960′s, you are going to need a flue liner. Older chimneys were built without liners, and over time, the byproducts of the smoke can corrode the inside of the chimney. This may be difficult to detect, or you may sometimes see a sandy-type material fall down into your fireplace.
- Your chimney is leaking. You may suspect that smoke is leaking, smell fumes in other rooms that the chimney passes through when you use the fireplace, or you may actually see smoke escaping from your chimney. In some cases stains may be visible around the chimney. In any case, this is bad news and calls for a chimney inspection to determine the cause of the problem. A flue liner can normally solve this problem pretty easily, but if left untreated, it can be extremely dangerous for your family and for the structure of your home.
Your chimney liner is the wrong size. If you have updated a fireplace since the home was built, your flue liner may be the wrong size. Many older flues are too large for modern fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. Even if they do have flue liners, over time the liners can develop cracks, especially clay ones, which leads to gases escaping into the house and could eventually lead to a chimney fire.- Your chimney is on an exterior wall. If your chimney is on an outside wall, it is even more important to have a working flue liner and good insulation. Exterior wall chimneys are exposed much more to the elements, such as the cold, and this makes them more susceptible to damage and to eventual updraft problems. When it’s too cold, smoke could spill into the house if your chimney liner is too big, and it can also lead to too much creosote which is another cause of chimney fires.
The bottom line is that a flue liner is a very important part of a fireplace. Unless you are using electric fireplace logs, it is a good idea to ensure you have a properly installed chimney flue liner.
Categorized: Liners | No comments | Permalink
Tagged with: chimney fires, Chimney liner, clay liners, creosote, fireplace, flue, flue liner, wood-burning stove