To make the most efficient use of your fireplace (and to prevent potential catastrophe), regular chimney cleanings are a must. Even if the fireplace is used infrequently, have a professional sweep clean it once a year. Fireplaces used more often may need more frequent cleanings. Anyone who burns wood in a fireplace insert or stove knows that the appliance operates better if the chimney is cleaned at least once per winter as well as annually in the off-season.
A safe chimney begins in the firebox, which should be lined with fire brick. The flue should be lined and insulated, either with a traditional masonry liner or a metal or cast-in-place liner. A damper that shuts off the flue when the chimney isn’t in use is essential, too. Last but not least, every chimney should have a cap. Caps made of aluminum, steel, or copper keep precipitation from falling directly into the flue and prevent birds and other wildlife from building nests inside the chimney.
Fire Brick
This story is from the January - February 2020 edition of Old House Journal.
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This story is from the January - February 2020 edition of Old House Journal.
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