Contrary to popular belief, most insurance companies label chimney fires as unexpected or sudden events. This means that if your fireplace caused an unexpected chimney fire then your homeowners’ insurance will probably take care of the damage. However, if the fire was a result of poor maintenance or negligence, then your insurer will not cover…
You need to ask yourself, what is the major cause of the problem? If you are doing it yourself, how do you intend to repair the chimney? For instance, Chimney repair needs specialized scaffolding that demands some level of experience to put it up safely. It is not something you ‘hope’ is going to work.…
Reduces Potential for Chimney Fires No one wants to think about a chimney fire, but the fact is that these fires are more common than you might think. According to the National Fire Protection Association, chimney fires are responsible for more than $100 million in property damage each year. While a majority of these fires…
This causes unequal expansion of the hollow rectangular clay tiles, causing them to split, crack, or buckle. The reason why clay tiles are prone to this problem is that they quickly absorb heat. Since the heat is unevenly distributed in the chimney, the clay tiles receiving high heat levels may crack or split making your…
A rebuild can be necessitated by the existence of certain structural issues, which cannot be salvaged through a repair. Some irredeemable chimney conditions may include a ruined chimney foundation and a destroyed exterior that is beyond repair. A rebuild can aid to remedy such issues that could have been occasioned by poor masonry and a…
A chimney works in a way that the hotter the temperatures in the flue, the better the gases are conducted out of the house through it. This means that the exhaust pipe needs to be conducted in a way that it maximizes internal temperatures. Stainless steel is one common material for flues and flue liners…
This reduces the frequent use of the air conditioner thus saving you lots of money with the monthly energy bills. It also keeps your walls and ceiling clean, thus reducing the need for regular repainting, which requires lots of money. With this in mind, you now have a good reason to install a chimney in…
Moisture is very lethal as it is responsible for most of the well-known chimney issues. A chimney crown and a mortar are purposefully meant to curb moisture from penetrating the masonry. Whenever the roof is constructed carelessly and without proper adherence to guidelines, water might start entering into the chimney. This makes it prudent to…
The first thing you need to do is check for signs of damage on your chimney. Cracks in the chimney crown or mortar joints or gaps in the flashing are one sign of potential damage. You want to fix cracks in your chimney as soon as possible because they are usually culprits for leaks. Another…
The soot can leave behind a flammable compound known as creosote, triggering fires that can cause extensive damage once they spread to combustible parts of your home. Although gas-burning chimneys tend to be cleaner than wood-burning chimneys, it does not mean that they are maintenance-free. It is always a good idea to check for other…