What You Need to Know About the Parts of Your Chimney
Your chimney may look simple from the outside, but there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. The Chimney Guys of Pataskala, OH, would like to share a little about the anatomy of a chimney and how to make sure all its parts and components keep working as they should.
We’ll look at exterior and interior parts.
Parts of the exterior chimney
Chimney masonry
The external structure of the chimney is made up of bricks held in place by a mortar compound. Damaged masonry can let water move in and further decay the bricks while causing damage to the chimney liner, fireplace damper, firebox and other parts of the chimney system.
Chimney chase
Manufactured fireplaces draft through a chimney chase attached to the outside of the house. Chases are typically made of metal and need to be inspected for damage periodically.
Chimney tops
These components include full-width chimney caps, flue covers and chimney chase tops. Their purpose is to keep rain, tree debris and small animals from getting into the flue.
Chimney crown
A chimney crown is the concrete slab at the top of the chimney that covers everything except the flue opening. Crowns protect interior chimney spaces from rain, debris and animals.
Chimney flashing
The gap between the roof and the chimney should be completely sealed off. Chimney flashing accomplishes this and keeps rain and melting snow from seeping down into areas of the home that you can’t see.
Interior parts and components
Chimney liner
Chimney liners are typically made of stainless steel, a poured-in-place compound or clay tiles. Their job is to provide a smooth and safe channel for smoke, heat and combustion gases to pass up and out of the home.
Smoke chamber
Between the firebox and the chimney liner is the smoke chamber, which collects and moves smoke and gases from the fireplace to the chimney liner. Smoke chambers are shaped like an upside-down triangle.
Fireplace damper
Dampers open and close to adjust the level of draft. Wide open allows for a more robust fire; partially open tames the fire; closed stops the draft. A closed damper also keeps conditioned air from escaping your home when the fireplace isn’t being used.
Other chimney components
Other components that help a chimney to work safely and efficiently include:
- Smoke shelf
- Wythe
- Ash dump
- Clean-out opening
- Appliance connector
Understanding your chimney
You don’t need to know everything about every piece and function of your chimney system. What you do need to know is that each piece must be in proper working order to keep a variety of disasters from happening.
When chimney maintenance is neglected, possible problems may include:
- Chimney fires
- Smoke and deadly carbon monoxide backups
- Widespread water leaks
- A leaning or collapsed chimney
- Mold outbreaks
- Horrible smells in your home
- Small animals living in your chimney
We’ll keep your chimney clean, safe and working right
Since 2004, The Chimney Guys has served Central Ohio with expert chimney sweeping, chimney inspections and all types of chimney repair work. When it’s time to get your chimney in shape and keep it that way, call us first. You can also reach out through our simple contact form.
