What does a smoke chamber do?
0:062:01Smoke Chamber Video HD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIts purpose is to safely transition smoke and hot gases from your fireplace to the flue of yourMoreIts purpose is to safely transition smoke and hot gases from your fireplace to the flue of your chimney.
Is smoke chamber parging necessary?
Jagged steps of older smoke chambers can impede your chimney's draft. That means smoke can flow back into your home, and more heat transfer between your fireplace and the surrounding home structures. In the case of an uneven, or corbeled, smoke chambers, the CSIA recommends parging.
Why do chimneys have a smoke shelf?
0:002:01Smoke Chamber Video HD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIts purpose is to safely transition smoke and hot gases from your fireplace to the flue of yourMoreIts purpose is to safely transition smoke and hot gases from your fireplace to the flue of your chimney.
How do I clean the smoke chamber on my chimney?
Peel back a small portion of the poly sheeting and use the long-handled brush to clean the smoke chamber. Use the noodle brush to remove all the soot from the smoke shelf. Then switch back to the long-handled brush to clean the sides of the firebox. Finish by vacuuming the entire firebox.
What does it mean to parge a chimney?
The most common repair to your chimney's smoke chamber — which serves to funnel smoke from the fireplace opening into the flue — is parging. Parging is a coating of mortar applied to the brick to give the smoke chamber a smooth surface.
What is the difference between a chimney and a flue?
Usually, flue pipes or tubes run vertically through a home to the outside. In some cases, flue pipes or tubes can run horizontally through a house to the outdoors. A chimney is a passage way for combustion byproducts to travel up that runs from a fireplace or stove up to the top of a house.
Does a chimney need a smoke shelf?
Smoke Shelf This 'shelf' serves several purposes. It catches rain, water, and falling debris, and it helps with the effective transition of large amounts of smoke entering into the small space in your chimney. It also helps stop downdrafts in your chimney from making it out your fireplace and into your home.
How hot does a smoke chamber get?
How hot does it get? Testing in our industry shows that chimney fires can reach well over 2100 degrees, and many get as hot as 3000 degrees, as in a test by the Midwest Chimney Safety Council did several years ago. After the fire is out, the chimney continues to heat up.
Does a fireplace have to have a smoke shelf?
5. Fireplaces must have smoke shelves. The Canadian research has shown that smoke shelves are not needed, but fireplaces should have a throat and a flue close to the front of the fireplace and a chimney top damper instead of or in addition to a throat damper.
How often should a chimney be cleaned?
once a year0:3114:48How and Why to Clean a Class A Chimney System with a Brush and ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut at the very least once a year you should be up here inspecting your chimney. And keeping itMoreBut at the very least once a year you should be up here inspecting your chimney. And keeping it clean. Now the vital importance for cleaning your chimney is because it's a safety factor.
Do you need to clean your chimney if you don't use your fireplace?
Even if you no longer fire-up your fireplace, you still need to have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually. Think of it like an annual physical for your house. Since your chimney and flue help your house “breathe,” you'll want to make sure they're in peak physical condition.
Can I clean my chimney myself?
Remove the Dust and Debris Sweep up the debris from inside the fireplace (and the smoke shelf, if accessible) with a broom and dustpan. Reattach damper as needed. Dispose of creosote appropriately according to local requirements. Use a shop vacuum to clean the fireplace and any part of the room that's sooty.
Is Parging necessary?
Parging is vital to any wall to protect its surface from external forces such as rain, wind, ice, and snow. This protection removes the potential risk of moisture seeping into a masonry wall, as this can expand when frozen and crack the installation.
What is a fire chamber?
The fireplace chamber is essentially the walls that 'surround' the stove. And, whilst most people focus mostly on the hearth and the fireplace surround, it's vital that you don't overlook the fireplace chamber. This is because a fireplace chamber has both aesthetic and practical uses.