Keeping the Chimney Well-equipped and Safe

Liners, dampers, fire brick, and chimney caps all play protective roles in fireplace safety and comfort.

- Mary Ellen Polson

A roaring mid-winter fire conjures cozy images of hearth and home, but not if the fireplace is smoking, blocked by a bird’s nest—or when the chimney catches fire in the dead of night.

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