What main problems are found during a chimney cleaning? Relining to prevent gaps in the liners and bricks, keeping sparks from flying. Interview also explains what happens if you don't get problems fixed.
Anyone who has a chimney in their home knows there are a variety of problems you can run into. Our chimney expert, Stewart Rabon, owner of Lone Star Sweeps in Austin, Texas, explains some of them and gives us solutions.
"Relining is a big one. Say you're looking at gaps in the flu liners; that's usually the main thing. I check to see if there are gaps in the bricks. You want a good closed system. You don't want a spark getting out into dangerous areas. If you never get repair work done on your chimney, you can go from slope damage to potential problems with the vent issues and your house burning down. It's all about safety," Rabon says.
Besides relining, the website of the Chimney Safety Institute of America lists other common problems with chimneys. One that many homeowners have experienced is when fireplaces start emitting smells. The smell is likely due to creosote in the chimney. The odor gets stronger in the summer when the air conditioner is venting the home.
There are some chimney sprays that can greatly improve this dilemma. Baking soda and cat litter work well, too. You may also want to introduce some make-up air somewhere else in the house. A tight sealing or top mounted damper will also reduce this air flow coming down the chimney.
Another common problem is when homeowners are building a fire in their upstairs fireplace, and their basement fireplace smokes. This has become a bigger issue today, because modern homes are air tight from weather proofing. The fireplace in use exhausts household air until a negative pressure situation erupts. If the house is fairly tight, the simplest way for makeup air to enter the structure is often the unused fireplace chimney. As air is drawn down this unused flue, it picks up smoke that is leaving from the fireplace in use and delivers the smoke to the living area. The best solution is to provide make-up air to the house so the negative pressure problem no longer exists. This gets rid of the smoke problem, but also the potential for carbon monoxide to be drawn back down the furnace chimney. A secondary solution is to install a top mount damper on the fireplace that is used the least.
In the end, Rabon says you should have your chimney cleaned once a year; the same holds true if you have a gas chimney. Although gas is a clean burning fuel, the chimney can become problematic from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue. Modern furnaces can also cause many problems with the average flues intended to vent the older furnaces. If you suspect that you have squirrels or birds in your chimney, there are a number of ways to get help. You can do some research online or call your local wildlife and safety department. Employees there can guide you on what to do so that everyone comes out happy in the end.
