Waterproofing / Fireplace Performance Troubleshooting

Is your fireplace belching smoke back into the house? Does the fire never seem to catch on and give you the comforting crackle of a well-made fire? We will come and access the factors that that make a fireplace perform in the first place and find out where your system needs help. We also carry products in our store that can help improve the performance today.

Why is waterproofing so important? A masonry chimney is a complex element of your home, constructed of masonry and metal materials, including brick, mortar, concrete, concrete block, stone, flue tile, steel and cast iron. All masonry chimneys contain some combination of these materials or perhaps all of them, most of which are negatively impacted affected by water and its seepage into these elements.

Water can rust damper assemblies and metal or masonry fireboxes, lead to cracking on the exterior of the chimney, cause bricks to crumble and fall, damage mortar joints, compromise structural integrity and leave stains within the home. A sound chimney cap keeps many of these issues from arising, and we know what to look for to keep the outside of your home, your chimney and your fireplace in safe, effective and attractive condition. We’ll check, repair or replace the flashing – the seal between the roofing and the chimney, to keep water flowing away.

The Chimney Safety Association of America offers appropriate warnings for what can occur when fires ignite in dirty chimneys that have not been properly cleaned or maintained: Chimney fires can burn explosively – noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors or people passing by. Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney. Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low flying airplane. However, those are only the chimney fires you know about. Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have fuel to be dramatic or visible. But, the temperatures they reach are very high and can cause as much damage to the chimney structure – and nearby combustible parts of the house – as their more spectacular cousins. With proper chimney system care, chimney fires are entirely preventable. Learn more here.

Clean chimneys don’t catch fire. Make sure you have us inspect your solid fuel venting system annually, or as needed, for cleaning and repair. If you hear loud, popping sounds, see dense smoke, and pick up an intense smell of heat, do not wait to attend to your chimney. Our technicians know how to arrest this danger before it is too late. Check out this informative Fireplace Safety Guide.

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