How many components do you think the inside of your chimney has? One? Two? Well, there are quite a few more than that, and they all need to be checked on a yearly basis to ensure that they are all safe for you to use.
Here are 4 common interior chimney repairs:
Smoke Chamber Parging
Your smoke chamber sits right over your firebox and it serves as a funnel, taking the smoke from your fire up and out of your chimney. These smoke chambers are normally constructed from bricks that are staggered and they can become cracked or damaged over time. To fix this damage or any flaws in the material, parging is done. Parging is applying a special refractory cement to smooth the entire surface, which will eliminate the defects and create a more efficient draft.
Chimney Relining
Chimney liners can last a long time, but they will eventually break down. Most of the time, the cause is from water damage or a chimney fire. If you need your chimney liner replaced, we recommend having a stainless-steel liner installed.
Damper Replacement
Dampers can warp if they are exposed to moisture or extreme heat, and that warping will then keep the damper from closing or opening properly. A faulty damper can allow cold air to enter your home or prevent smoke from exiting your chimney.
Lintel Fill
The top front face of your fireplace is your lintel and it bears the load of the top of the structure. There is mortar where the lintel meets the firebox, and unfortunately, the mortar will crumble over time. A lintel fill will fix this issue and keep your fireplace working properly while preventing further damage.
These are the most common interior chimney repairs and you can catch them before they become too serious by having your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year. In fact, having your chimney cleaned may prevent you from having to do too many repairs, because you will be doing preventative maintenance instead. We always say that spending a little time and money now will save you a lot of both in the future.
Fireplace Safety and Chimney Inspections in Drexel Hill
We have two CSIA Certified chimney sweeps standing by to assist you with your chimney needs. Give us a call at 610-626-2439 to schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection or cleaning. We provide chimney services throughout the Main Line region.