Chimneys and Fireplaces

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Chimneys and Fireplaces

General Tips

References

General Tips

  • ♦  Most Important—Have your chimney cleaned and inspected
    • ◊  Before its first use
    • ◊  Yearly
  • ♦  Dangers of brick chimney interiors (as opposed to ones with a liner):
    • ◊  The nooks and cracks in the brick allow places for pitch and creosote (un-burnt hydrocarbons) to build up.
      • −  This buildup can start a fire.
      • −  A fire in-between the bricks of a chimney can be disastrous.
  • ♦  Liners
    • ◊  Stainless steel chimney liners
      • −  Install with appropriate lime insulation
      • −  Should be correctly sized
      • −  Installed according to codes and standards
      • −  Enlist an experienced chimney specialist that has worked with historic brick
    • ◊  Poured chimney liners
      • −  Not appropriate for historic brickwork/chimneys
      • −  Product can damage historic materials and be very costly to remove
  • ♦  Do you no longer use your chimney for your fireplace, but still to vent your furnace?
    • ◊  It still needs maintenance!
    • ◊  All chimneys used for venting modern equipment, gas, oil or wood burning should be inspected yearly for safe venting and to maintain chimney structure.
  • ♦  Structural problems with chimneys
    • ◊  May be able to support the chimney while repairing the foundation underneath.
    • ◊  May need to take down chimney, repair foundation supports, then rebuild chimney.
    • ◊  If historic chimney is being rebuilt, confirm with the mason or contractor that historic brick will be used on the exterior.
      • −  Additional brick may be needed to ensure it is stable, but historic brick could be used or any new brick could be concealed inside the chimney.

References

Federally Protected Chimney Swift Information—Eurotech
http://eurotechusops.com/chimney-restoration/chimney-swifts/

Historic Chimney Repairs and Preservation—Eurotech
http://eurotechusops.com/chimney-restoration/chimney-restoration-products/

Diagram of interior chimney system—Fire Safe Chimney Systems, Northern Virginia/ Maryland Area
http://www.firesafechimneypro.com/Chimney-Basics.html