What are the primary protective components of your chimney? Are they universal to all chimney styles? Can your chimney function without one or two of them? Today, we’re going to answer all of these questions starting with your chimney flue.
Many of us, when we hear the word flue, associate it with a seasonal sickness. Funny enough, the analogy between the flu and a chimney flue isn’t too dissimilar. Ultimately, we pass around sickness when we exhale air.
Likewise, a chimney flue is how the firebox “exhales” its air — in this case, smoke. A chimney flue is nothing more than a vertical passage from the fireplace to the outside. It’s how the fireplace breathes if you want to think of it that way. If not for your flue, smoke from your fireplace would back up into the house.
Most modern chimney flues have a liner, typically consisting of a thin sheet of metal that protects the inside of your bricks and mortar. Flues can also have a layer of debris build-up called creosote, which is why it’s necessary to call a Chimney Solutions technician for an annual inspection and cleaning before you use your fireplace for the first time each season. So, yes, all chimneys have a flue. And no, your fireplace cannot function without a working flue.
A chimney damper is how you control the airflow in and out of the flue. Your damper allows you to keep cold air out when your fireplace is not operational and for smoke to escape when you’re burning. All chimney systems should have a damper, and while you could technically get by with a broken one (as long as it’s permanently open), we wouldn’t recommend it. The risk that the damper could close without your knowledge is too great, and if you started a fire with it in the closed position, smoke wouldn’t be able to escape.
A chimney crown is a protective slab over your chimney’s opening. It protects the entire system from premature weathering. Crowns are usually made up of mortar, concrete, or even metal, though we don’t recommend bricks and mortar as they can deteriorate over time. Do all chimneys have a crown? They should. Can the system work without one? No. The crown is your first line of defense against the elements, and a broken or missing crown will eventually lead to bigger and costlier repairs.
Lastly, your chimney has a cap. Just as a baseball cap protects your head from the sun, a chimney cap protects your chimney from debris, moisture (including the inside of your home with rain and snow), and animals. Birds and other critters like to build nests inside of your chimney during the winter months. Your cap is a necessary part of keeping stuff out of your chimney. Not all chimneys have a cap, unfortunately, but they are critically important to keep yours operational.
The technicians here at Chimney Solutions Indiana are the experts in chimney maintenance. We’ll work with you on everything from annual sweeps and inspections to repair. Call us at 317-757-6979 or contact us online here.
Our Service Area
If you live within 20 miles of Marion County, there’s no need to call any other chimney provider! The team here at Chimney Solutions Indiana will be in our marked trucks and clean uniforms and at your door on time! We travel to Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Brownsburg, Westfield, Geist, Eagle Creek, Noblesville and all throughout the Indianapolis, IN area.
We believe that education and ongoing training is important, which is why we continuously invest in ourselves and our team to deliver better service to you. We’re Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) – certified and members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), so whenever advancements are made within the industry, we’re among the first to know about it. When you work with Chimney Solutions, you can expect the latest information and the most advanced services and techniques. We strive to exceed expectations on every job from a routine chimney sweep and chimney cleaning to a full chimney restoration.
We’re committed to providing the best service possible and look forward to serving you and your family, year after year. Call 317-757-6979 to get started! >>