Identifying Chimney Damage

Having a safe heating system is extremely important to having a safe home. This includes all components from the fire box to the chimney cap.

There are tens of thousands of fires in the US annually. Many are due to appliances. Others are caused by problems with chimneys and fireplaces. These fires injured hundreds of people, caused dozens of fatalities and property damage in the millions.

When you may need to hire a Professional

If opening the damper gives you a face covered in soot, or if the mortar between the bricks or stones is turning into sand or if wood surrounding the chimney in the attic is charred, you could be facing problems. You need the assistance of a professional immediately.

Missing or Damaged Chimney Cap

If rain or snow is able to get into the flue, the liner is liable to undergo extreme temperature variations. A chimney with poor drafting will cool the flue gases too quickly. This causes a build-up of creosote. Additionally, acidic gases will erode the mortar and other parts of the chimney.

Cracked Tiles

Any evidence of cracked tiles is an indication that you've got a problem. Cracked tiles are caused by extreme variations in temperature, which usually arise from one of two possible sources: either a problem with the chimney cap or a previous chimney fire.

Bad or Damaged Mortar

Three different areas need to be looked at: the top of the house, the chimney, and the attic. You have a major fire hazard if your mortar joints are missing or deteriorated. If the smoke chamber has a missing mortar joint, the smoke may travel in between your walls, rather than exiting through the top of the chimney.

Creosote Build-up

When there is a chimney fires that involves heavy creosote build-up, temperatures may exceed two-thousand degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, these fires are almost impossible to put out.

Also, be mindful of rotted wood coming into contact with the chimney, past chimney fires coupled with a stainless steel line, as not every chimney fire is known. Sometimes they will burn out, but serious damage can be left behind.

One way to find out if your flue is stainless steel is to stick a magnet to it. If it is stainless steel, you must replace it. Here are some signs that that there has been a fire in a chimney.

* You will see puffy creosote that has expanded past its usual form.
* Flue tiles that are cracked, collapsed, or have large pieces missing.
* Rain caps that are discolored or distorted.
* Flakes and pieces of creosote are seen on the top of the house or ground.
* Hot creosote damaged roof material.
* Exterior chimney cracks.
* Signs that smoke has escaped through the masonry liner's mortar joints.

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