Green World Pro Cleaners
Chimney Crown/ Masonry Protection
Chimney Crown/ Masonry Protection
Understanding Your Chimney’s Protective Components
Within your chimney system are a number of protective components whose job it is to allow for efficient operation and keep your home safe. Let’s look at some of these components and see why they’re so important.
The chimney itself (flue)
Without a tall, properly built chimney, there would be no way to channel smoke from your fireplace to the outside air. In this sense, your chimney is functional. But it’s also protective.
The heavy masonry from which the chimney is constructed provides a layer of protection between the intense heat from fires and nearby combustible materials within your home. When chimney masonry is damaged, often by water, it can begin to crumble and crack, leaving adjacent walls and/or ceilings vulnerable.
Chimney liner
At one point in the history of chimneys, somebody got the bright idea that the masonry could hold up longer and better if there was some kind of liner inside the flue. Today, stainless steel, clay tile and poured-in-place chimney liners are found in many chimneys. Liners do add a strong layer of protection, but like the masonry, they can become split or broken over time. If this happens and repairs aren’t made promptly, it’s like not having a liner at all.
Chimney cap
At the top of your chimney, there is a chimney cap. Well, there should be a chimney cap. Not all chimneys have caps, but all of them should, because caps offer powerful protection against rain and snow infiltration. Moisture inside the chimney flue is one of the primary reasons for damage to masonry and other components. Additionally, chimney caps prevent tree debris, small animals and other unwanteds from getting into the flue.
Chimney crown
The cement layer covering the top opening of the chimney is the crown. Chimney crowns add another layer of protection by blocking everything except the flue openings. Crowns are designed to allow water to run off and away from them and away from the exterior masonry beneath them. Cracks and decay in a crown will worsen and leave the flue and bricks vulnerable to serious damage.
Flashing
Roof flashing is the protective material that forms a seal over the gap between your roof and the outside of the chimney. Warped or damaged flashing provides a clear path for rainwater and melting snow to flow down the exterior of the chimney and do damage to not only the masonry but adjacent walls, ceilings, floors and other parts of the home.
Damper
The fireplace damper is located above the firebox and is designed to open fully and close fully. When a fire is burning, it should be open. When the fireplace isn’t being used, it should be closed. Over time, dampers can become rusted or warped to the extent they won’t open all the way or close with a tight seal. A damaged damper can cause problems with exhaust and let cold air flow into your home.
The easiest way to ensure that all your chimney’s protective components are doing their job is with an annual chimney/fireplace inspection by certified technicians. Green World Pro Cleaners provides full-service chimney inspection, chimney cleaning and chimney repair by CSIA-certified experts. Make sure your chimney stays safe year-round by calling us.
FOR FAST HVAC SERVICES
Call us now at +1 (904) 842-3561
Quality Air Duct and Chimney Cleaning solutions.
Jacksonville Florida Number 1 HVAC Services Provider.
Green World Pro Cleaners Serving Areas
Jacksonville
Bryceville
Jacksonville Beach
Orange Park
Macclenny
Callahan
Doctors Inlet
Middleburg
Fleming Island
Glen Saint Mary
Hilliard
Saint George
Lawtey
Yulee
Penney Farms
Saint Johns
Atlantic Beach
Raiford
Neptune Beach
Sanderson
Fernandina Beach
Green Cove Springs
Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra
Starke
Saint Augustine
Keystone Heights
Lake Butler
Hampton
Brooker
Saint Marys
Graham
Florahome
Lake Geneva
Woodbine
Bostwick
Waldo
Putnam Hall
Melrose
Grandin
Lulu
Worthington Springs
Earleton
Lake City
Elkton
Palatka
La Crosse
Gainesville
Hollister
East Palatka
Interlachen
Alachua
Hastings
White Springs
Hawthorne
Zipcodes Serving Areas
32220
32099
32219
32221
32009
32254
32210
32205
32222
32209
32244
32204
32208
32203
32234
32235
32201
32229
32231
32232
32236
32238
32239
32240
32241
32245
32247
32255
32202
32206
32214
32207
32212
32073
32065
32218
32067
32217
32063
32277
32211
32011
32216
32030
32257
32068
32223
32006
32050
32003
32040
32246
32225
32226
32046
31562
32260
32256
32224
32258
32058
32097
32041
32079
32259
32233
32083
32266
32227
32250
32228
32087
32034
32043
32004
32081
32091
32035
32082
32095
32092
32656
32054
32044
32622
31558
32042
32140
32160
31569
32007
32694
32185
32084
32666
32138
32061
32697
32631
32085
32055
32033
32025
32177
32658
32609
32056
32147
32131
32178
32148
32653
32149
32615
32086
32145
32080
32641
32616
32096
32640
32024
32627
32635
32612
32602
32604
32610
32614
32605