Do You Know Your Fireplace Chimney?

If you have a fireplace chimney then it is important that you get to know your chimney and learn how to maintain it. There are several unique parts to any chimney and the more you know, the better equipped you will be at keeping it clean and safe. So keep reading to learn more about your fireplace chimney.

The main part of your chimney is the flue. This is simply the vertical shoot that allows smoke and debris to escape from your home. Each heating appliance in your home should have its own flue. A brick chimney can have more that one flue but a metal chimney will have a single flue.

One of the most important parts of your chimney is the chimney cap. This is basically a cover for the top of your chimney. Without this cap you would get rain, downdrafts, birds, squirrels and a host of other things coming down your chimney and possibly into your home.

The chimney crown is at the very top. This crown has a gentle slope that will help drain water away from your fireplace chimney. Chimney flashing is where the chimney rises above your roof. The flashing is also designed to keep water away from the chimney to prevent water damage.

A chimney damper is a metal plate or plates that are inside the flue of the fireplace chimney. A damper can be closed when you are not using the fireplace to help keep out drafts. Unfortunately, over the time the metal plates rust and do not maintain a good seal.

Every fireplace chimney should have a liner to protect the bricks and mortar. These liners can be constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, cast in place or terra cotta. A liner will make cleaning jobs easier and will improve the performance of your chimney.

A fireplace chimney should be checked once a year for cleanliness, deposits, and any damage. This is very important to keep it safe and functioning. If you need your fireplace cleaned and repaired, you should hire a professional to do it for you. Check with your neighbors or friends for recommendations. Look through the yellow pages for a professional.

A fireplace chimney is an important part of your fireplace. Keep it maintained and inspected and you will able to safely enjoy a crackling fire on those cold winter nights.