Domestic
chimneys are synonymous with the traditional British skyline in our villages
and towns. Chimneys were once exclusively a feature of castles, later on
country piles, and then became a regular feature of ordinary homes. In the 17th
and 18th centuries, particularly in urban areas, huge changes in architecture
allowed for fireplaces to become smaller and to be installed in multiple rooms
of a house. As fireplaces became more advanced, so did chimneys.
Period
property enthusiasts refer to the Victorian age as the golden era for chimneys,
with the classic 1906 Edith Nesbit novel The Railway Children, featuring a
traditional family home named ‘three chimneys’. As the times have moved
forward, chimneys aren't necessarily a staple for british homes, but the
affinity for them hasn’t waned - they have become a must-have requirement for
many homeowners and something of a status symbol. As attractive an addition a
fireplace and chimney makes to any property, it also means taking on a whole
new set of responsibilities to ensure your chimney is in best possible working
order.
This
comprehensive guide will talk you through the most common chimney repair
problems that are encountered by homeowners and how to solve them. Many people
don’t know where to begin in terms of chimney maintenance, but understanding a
few of these common problems can help you prevent them from happening and have
you relaxing by the fireside in no time!
Basic fireplace maintenance
Chances are,
if you have a fireplace or not, chimney repair might not be at the top of your
list of things to regularly keep tabs on. However, without adequate care, the
chimney can actually become a hazard in the home. Without some level of basic
cleaning and maintenance, it can cause significant water damage or even cause a
fire. By taking some time to inspect your chimney and taking action when
something doesn’t look quite right, you can continue safely enjoying your
fireplace.
Build up of creosote
When you
burn wood, it's more than just smoke that goes up the chimney. Something called
creosote is deposited within the lining of it. Creosote is a kind of black,
brownish tar-like substance which formulates itself as a fine carbon powder,
making smoke. The combination of creosote and soot is was is commonly just
referred to as soot in the chimney. Creosote comes in several forms and is
highly dangerous because it’s flammable. Every year thousands of house fires
happen and this is down to chimneys that haven’t been cleaned or maintained
properly. This can also prevent proper ventilation of the chimney system,
potentially causing dangerous fumes to enter the home. An obstructed chimney
can be one of the reasons that carbon monoxide, known as the silent killer, can
also enter the home. In large quantities carbon monoxide can be deadly,
especially as its odourless, tasteless and invisible. During a professional chimney
clean, a chimney sweep will use the appropriate tools to remove the flammable
substances from the lining of the flue.
Blockage
There are
many forms of blockage that can happen to your chimney, other than creosote.
Perhaps the most common build-up is due to a birds nest, general debris or
leaves. Blockage can also be due to neglected masonry within the chimney. As a
preventative measure for this happening, its recommended, in accordance with
guidelines set out by The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
that you have your chimney inspected annually. If you do happen to have any
kind of blockage issue, it can easily be removed by a professional chimney
technician. Chimney blockage can be highly dangerous, in a similar vein to
creosote, it can cause toxic fumes such as deadly carbon monoxide to enter your
home. If a chimney hasn't got a sufficient amount of height, an ambient updraft
can stop smoke from existing the chimney the way it's meant to. This combined
with a home that is too airtight can draw smoke into the home.
Damage to the flue
When a
fireplace is built, a chimney lining is included. The most cost-effective type
of lining is clay tile; this isn’t as durable as stainless steel (which
generally never needs to be replaced). Many homeowners are no doubt aware of
the amount of wear and tear chimneys are subjected to, so if they aren't made
of constructed steel, there's a fair chance it'll get damaged over time. A
damaged flue can be highly dangerous, and the fireplace itself should not be
used until the lining is replaced. If there is cracking, the heat from the fire
can reach combustible areas of the home and potentially trigger a fire. Similarly
to the two previous points mentioned, this can potentially cause carbon
monoxide to enter the home.
Issues with the brickwork
Your average
chimney masonry can last about a century, depending on if the mortar is in good
working order. The mortar is a thick paste used to bind the brickwork together,
however, if this deteriorates, it can become exposed to moisture and can lead
to internal brickwork problems. The best deterrent against this is to ensure
your mortar is frequently checked along with the other sections of your
chimney, as you may find that the mortar needs to be replaced.
Cracked chimney crown
Chimney
crowns are often forgotten about; this is due in part to the fact that they are
out of sight, based at the top of the chimney sealing the chimney from the
outer edge at the rim of the flue liner. Moltar is frequently used to make the
chimney crown and often subject to chipping again causing moisture to get
through the cracks. If this is caught early, it's possible that you can repair
the damage, however, in some cases a complete rebuild would be needed.
Generally it's recommended that waterproofing the crown is a good deterrent
against this happening.
How to know when it's time to hire a chimney
sweep?
The National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that all chimneys are inspected
once a year by a certified chimney professional. Some homeowners make the
rookie error of missing an annual inspection because they haven't been using
their chimney very often or do not detect any signs of problems. Nevertheless,
in many cases it takes a professional pair of eyes to detect any kind of
problems that could go otherwise undetected. A professional chimney sweep will
also be able to inform you if there is anything wrong with the structure or the
fireplace or the venting itself. The most common type of inspection consists of
looking at all of the components of the fireplace without taking it apart.
This kind of
inspection involves the chimney sweep looking for signs of combustible material
such as creosote along with the presence of any other kind of debris. They will
also look for other signs of damage due to a change of temperature or any other
general age related concerns. If the inspector finds any problems, cleaning or
repairs will be necessary. Another type of inspection requires the chimney
sweep to inspect the inside of the chimney with various special tools, this
process is minimally invasive. The most advanced type of inspection will
involve the chimney sweep accessing the interior of the chimney wall, the
chimney crown and other parts of the chimney that require specialised tools for
access.
What does a fireplace restoration consist of?
This very
much depends on what kind of fireplace you have. If you’ve moved into a new
property and have inherited a fireplace, at the very least you’re going to need
to have your chimney swept before you start using it. A chimney sweep can clean
and inspect the flue and advise you on any necessary repairs. If an unused
chimney has been sealed, it will need to be opened again. Victorian and
Edwardian houses are fairly common in the UK and typically feature one piece
cast iron fireplaces or cast-iron inserts. Typical issues with period
fireplaces involve layers of overpainting, damaged tiles or harmed metal
components.
If you are
in need of a cosmetic spruce-up, again it's best to call on the help of a
professional for this. You’ll also need to contact a professional if you have
missing or damaged components. A trained restorer will be able to assist you in
replacing hoods or grates. If your fireplace appears completely dilapidated, if
might be best to start again with a high quality replica or reclaimed model. If
you contact your local chimney sweeps, you’ll be able to enquire with them
about chimney repair costs as well as other services such as chimney cleaning
costs.
At
Milborrow
Chimney Sweeps,
our trained and qualified chimney sweeps
are able to quickly and efficiently identify a variety of chimney defects.
Whether your chimney pot is broken or its a minor blockage, give us a call, and
leave it to us. We also provide chimney inspection services for your chimney
flue in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, offering plenty of knowledge and expertise on
all things chimneys.
Get in touch today
to see how we can help.
