When we think of chimneys, the first thing that comes to mind is Santa. But there is more to a chimney than just being Santa’s entryway into homes on Christmas Eve. More than 41% of homes in the US have a chimney, especially those built in or before the 90s. Keeping your chimney in top shape requires services like regular chimney cleaning and inspection.

Understanding the signs of masonry chimney problems is important because it allows you to identify and address chimney issues early on before they become more serious and potentially more expensive to fix. Early detection of masonry chimney problems can help prevent further damage to your chimney, roof, and home. If left unchecked, chimney problems can lead to more significant damage.

What Are The Essential Parts Of A Chimney?

Chimney Cap

Ever wondered what the parts on top of your chimney are used for? This is known as a chimney cap, which plays an important role in keeping your house safe from fire and smoke. The cap of your chimney consists of a crown, a surface designed to keep debris and cold air from trickling down your chimney.

The spark arrestor is the metal cap at the very top of a chimney. It covers the top of your chimney. Rain and pests can’t enter a chimney if you have a spark arrestor in place, which is why having one is important.

Another purpose of the crown is to protect the masonry since harsh weather conditions can wear it down over time. If you have a rusty or damaged chimney cap, chimney repair services in CT can help replace it.

Some commonly used types of chimney caps are:

• Top mount chimney cap
• Standard chimney cap
• Draft increasing chimney cap
• Weathershield chimney cap

Height

The height of a chimney is another essential part of its structure for two main reasons. One of the main reasons is that the chimney top being too close to the roof is a major fire hazard. There are over 4,000 chimney-related fires in the US each year.

To reduce the risk of a roof fire, the height of a chimney top should be 3 feet taller than your rooftop. Another reason chimney height matters is that a shorter structure is most likely to cause a downdraft. Research shows that chimney smoke can cause bronchitis if it enters your respiratory system.

Having a chimney height that’s at least 10 feet tall can prevent smoke from entering your home.

 Flue Liner

The chimney lining is called a flue liner, and its job is to keep heat away from masonry. Most old buildings have a flue liner made from ceramic or clay, but those tend to deteriorate over time. Chimney rebuilding services in CT can install a new chimney liner made from durable materials like stainless steel.

These last a long time and can keep harmful fumes from entering your house. Chimney sweeps in CT can perform inspections to determine whether your flue liner needs replacing.

Flashing

The flashing on a chimney keeps it dry, making it one of the more important parts of its structure. Moisture can damage your chimney in different ways, like wearing down the masonry. To waterproof your chimney, you need a flashing, which creates a protective seal at the base of your chimney top.

Some signs that you might need your flashing repaired are water stains or leaks from your chimney. Flashing can also keep water from entering your home through the chimney on rainy days. It can also prevent a buildup of water on your roof.

With chimney repair services in CT, you can get a durable flashing installed to keep your chimney dry. Most flashings last up to 30 years, so if your house is old, you should get the flashing repaired immediately.

Get Chimney Rebuilding Services In CT

Creative Masonry & Chimney offers chimney services in CT. Their team of experienced masonry workers can help you upgrade your chimney, no matter how bad the damage is. They use chimney parts made from durable materials like stainless steel and offer them at affordable prices.

Their service caters to all your chimney repair needs, whether you need a new flue lining or just a chimney cleaning in CT.

Contact them here for more information on their chimney sweep and masonry services in CT.

About The Author

Anna McKeith is a chimney specialist who believes in taking the right measures at the right time to prevent house fires. She’s worked in the industry for 18 years, teaching people how to maintain their chimneys correctly. She volunteers at a pet shelter in her spare time, giving love to all the animals in need.