Many people have a chimney, but few know very much about their inner workings. If you have been lighting fires in your fireplace year after year but have never taken a look inside your chimney, you could have a very big problem. Like anything related to fire, dangers abound when it comes to fireplaces and chimneys and many people are not aware of how simple it is to avoid these issues.

One of the biggest ways to ensure fireplace safety is to have a well-fitted and well-maintained chimney liner. A chimney liner goes inside the chimney to help direct the gases up and out of your house and protect the inside of your house from the heat and chemicals of a fire. Many older chimney liners begin to corrode, causing dangerous gases to leak into the house. And some older chimneys aren’t lined at all. This can lead to the toxic byproducts of fires building up inside the chimney and causing a fire such as creosote. If you are unsure whether or not your chimney has a chimney liner, it is crucial to find out right away.

Even if your chimney has a chimney liner, it is important to keep it updated. All chimney liners will become less effective with use and will need to be replaced between 5-7 years. The exact amount of time a liner can last will depend on the type of material used to make it as well as the type of fires you build in your fireplace and the frequency of use. Also, some older homes have liners that are the wrong size, which can lead to dangerous conditions as well.

Chimney liners are not terribly expensive and there are a number of options when it comes to chimney liners depending on the type of chimney you have. There are number of do it yourself option on the market today that will allow you save money and install a chimney liner yourself.

If you haven’t had a chimney inspection recently, it is an excellent idea to have one because it can be difficult for inexperienced chimney owners to know which dangers to look for. It is also difficult to actually see the inside of your chimney. Many experts recommend an inspection every one or two years to ensure the safety of the fireplace. The inspector will look over the fireplace and chimney from the inside out and can make recommendations on any maintenance or repair issues that need to be addressed.

It’s very difficult to find a home heating system that benefits everyone and even, everything. As you might know, some home heating systems produce harmful emissions that may harm the environment and people too, if they breath in the harmful exhaust. With that in mind, you should find an alternative. If you want something efficient, a natural gas furnace might be your home heating solution. Not only will it be able to heat your entire home, it is also helpful to the environment due to the low emissions that it produces.

In today’s world, especially in urban areas, the prevalence of air pollution is growing. It’s unfortunate that it is due to industrial emissions. Although it is a small percent, household appliances, including heaters, can contribute to the pollution as well. By utilizing a natural gas home heating system, will be releasing less environmentally damaging emissions into the environment then say a wood burning fireplace would over the course of a winter.  Also with the falling natural gas prices, this heating fuel might be the cheapest way to heat your home.

Unlike other heating fuels like coal, oil, wood or even pellet, natural gas does not need to be “restocked” over the course of the winter. Usually a gas line is installed into your home and that gas line is town or even city wide, which saves you time on going out to buy the fuel or wood. The advances in the many gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts have allowed them to become very energy efficient. Combined with a chimney liner going up your masonry chimney, you have the makings of a very cost effective heating alternative for the winter months. ]]> http://www.chimneylinerexpress.com/heating-fuels/is-natural-gas-a-good-home-heating-fuel/feed 0 http://www.chimneylinerexpress.com/chimney-liner/tips-on-buying-a-chimney-cap-for-your-chimney http://www.chimneylinerexpress.com/chimney-liner/tips-on-buying-a-chimney-cap-for-your-chimney#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:30:27 +0000 admin http://www.chimneylinerexpress.com/?p=293

What is a Chimney Cap?

A chimney cap is a protective covering which fits at the top of your chimney enclosure. They are typically fashioned out of stainless steel, copper, or galvanized metals; and come designed with a mesh screen to inhibit airborne hearth sparks, nesting outdoor animals, and damaging precipitation and debris from interfering with the overall safety and longetivity of your fireplace’s necessary venting system.

Why is it so crucial to keep sparks confined to your chimney liner and these other elements out? While you are toasting marshmallows and sharing intimate discussions by the glow of your fireplace’s hearth, quite a bit more is happening in the venting chamber of your chimney. The sparks produced from burning wood or faux logs will sometimes reach to your chimney’s top, and if not properly stopped, can ignite the flammable material surrounding your chimney wall, such as your roof and house’s construction. And all it takes is one airborne spark. Nesting animals such as squirrels and birds can find a sheltered refuge in your chimney’s top, usually without anyone being the wiser… until it’s too late. A chimney cap prevents them and their detrimental waste from taking up residence, thereby preventing foul odors and the mites that waste brings. Your chimney top is also exposed to rain, snow, hail, and violent gusts of wind; year after year. Without a chimney cap to insulate your chimney from its effects, rain can soak into the mortar joints of your chimney’s construction, thereby loosening the bricks or stone of your masonry chimney. Or if you have a metal chimney, precipitation will lead to damaging rust; thereby rapidly deteriorating your chimney. Violent wind gusts whip leaves and assorted debris into your chimney.

These flammable materials can rapidly suffocate your flue from its necessary fire by-product venting, leading to dangerous chimney fires and downdrafting of the trapped smoke into your home. Buying a chimney cap is a priceless and easy solution to preventing a whole Pandora’s Box-full of natural evils, such as: fire, disease, costly repair, and strife from entering the safe harbor of your family’s cozy home.

Types of Chimneys

The first step in finding yourself a chimney cap is determining what type of chimney your house has. This will determine what type of chimney cap will fit best. The most common type of chimney is a masonry chimney, which is constructed of brick, stone, or concrete. Metal Chimneys or factory-built chimneys are mass-produced, typically come with a pre-fit chimney cap, and must be used with one, due to the fact that metal is less resilient in relation to Mother Nature’s elements. Typically, for masonry chimneys, you’ll find that their corresponding chimney caps come in three basic sizes: 8″ x 8″, 8″ x 12″ and 12″ x 12″, though custom styles and fits are available also.

Types of Flues

Whether you have a masonry or factory-made metal chimney, it is also necessary to determine what type of flue it works from. This can be determined by simply looking down into your chimney’s depths.

Masonry chimneys will have either single or multi flues, and these flues will be either extended or not. The most common is the single flue chimney with an extended flue. This flue will simply and visibly extend out the top of your chimney, allowing easy chimney cap installation and fit by screws which tighten to the flue’s construction. Single flue chimneys without extended flues have a recessed interior flue construction and will require what is called a leg kit or bracket to for installation of your chimney cap. The decision about whether you enlist a leg kit or brackets is yours, but brackets are recommended as they provide more resiliency under varying wind and weather conditions. Multi flue chimneys with or without extended flues will, as the type suggests, have more than one flue (typically two) either protruding from your chimney top or recessed in its interior.

Factory-produced Metal Chimney will have one of three basic types of flue construction: double-wall solid-pack insulated chimney pipe, double-wall air-insulated chimney pipe, or triple-wall air-insulated chimney pipe. Looking down into the chimney, you’ll see either two or three layers or walls of metal. If there is a metal cap or insulation material between these layers, you have yourself a solid-pack insulated flue system. If there is nothing but air between your flue walls, it is an air-insulated flue system.

Measuring

After determining what type of chimney and what type of flue you have, the next step is measurement of the flue system. Whether single or multi, extended or recessed, you will almost always need to know the precise width and length dimensions in order to accurately fit your chimney for a cap. Take the measurements a couple times to ensure accuracy, because being just a fraction of a size off, will negate all the purposes you’ve enlisted your chimney cap to demonstrate.

Masonry Chimneys:

· For a single flue with an extended flue: measure the width and length of the outside parameters of the flue, and match these to a specific chimney cap size.

· For a single flue without an extended flue: measure the width and length of the inside parameters of the flue, match to a specific chimney cap size, and order the corresponding leg kit or brackets.

· For multi flue systems with or without extended flues: measure the total outside width and length of the combined flues. If your multi-flue system has one or more extended flues, you must next measure how far the highest flue extends out the top of the chimney. It is crucial when choosing a cap for these systems that you depend upon the measurements of your total flue system, as well as the flues’ height measurements to see how deep your chimney cap should be.

Factory-made Metal Chimneys:

· For a double-wall solid-pack insulated flue system: measure the diameter of the inner pipe. Then, measure the diameter of the outer pipe. The inner dimensions will be used to secure the proper fit, while the outer dimensions will give a wider secondary cap protection for your flue.

· For a double or triple-wall air insulated flue system: measure the diameter of the inner pipe. Then, measure the diameter of the outer pipe. The inner dimensions will be used to secure the proper fit, while the outer dimensions will give a wider secondary cap protection for your flue.

Materials

Chimney caps come in a variety of materials depending on your aesthetic, function, and cost preferences. Galvanized metal flue caps are the most cost-effective and simple choice; but provide basic function without regard to aesthetics, will rust, and won’t last past the short-term. Stainless steel chimney cap construction is more middle-of-the-road cost-wise, and subsequently offers a more gratifying visual appeal, and will last much longer through varying elements and time. Copper chimney caps are the most expensive choice, but because of this offer: a hard-enduring quality, can be weathered naturally or coated with a special copper protectant to maintain the original color and shine. Stainless steel and copper constructed chimney caps do, more often than not, come with an extended warranty; and are the best way to go in the way of your chimney’s longetivity and your home and family’s safety.

Chimney Cap Types

Chimney caps also come in a variety of functions according to your cap preferences. There is the standard chimney cap which typically includes a screening material to further ward off elements and critters, is the most cost-effective, comes in a variety of materials, and takes care of your most basic chimney needs as far as insulation and protection is concerned. Draft increasing caps or vacuum chimney caps are more specific to a chimney that has difficulty, for one reason or another, drafting smoke up and out of your home. These chimney caps produce a stronger updraft, and are most often used with metal chimneys, though those with masonry chimneys can employ specific manufacturer adapters. There are two different options to cure this common chimney affliction. You can either employ what is called a flue stretcher which will extend the length of your flue and remove it from the influence of nearby or dual chimneys. This is a great option if you live in a dense city or have multi-floor fireplaces. Another option is a device which will decrease the downdraft by deflecting it within special cap fins, and subsequently suck excessive smoke out of your chimney. You may opt for a cap with an integral damper mechanism to replace a missing or loose-fitting damper system in your chimney. This type of chimney cap, once in place, will cap the previously wasted energy, restore the necessary damper functions, and insulate your home from the elements. Most come complete with a lever you’ll need to install on your fireplace wall, which activates effective use of the damper. Typically, those with older fireplaces will enlist these dual-purpose caps to gently restore an older fireplace.

Is Wood the Best Heating Fuel For You?

Wood is the traditional way to heat your home. From gathering it outdoors to getting  if from a local vendor, firewood is great economical option for you to heat your home. Some environmentalists frown on using firewood, but it is a renewable heating source.It is good to note that the U.S. Forestry Service supports the use of wood for heating purposes. Gathering fallen lumber helps clear the forest for new growth and pruning  trees keep the them healthy.

The drawback to using firewood as heating source is the time element and the space required to store it. Either way you go about getting your firewood, it still means that you have to have a reliable source year in and year out. Also the firewood needs to be dried out in order to burn the best. This drying process takes form in wood racks and other structures on your property.  Depending on the area of the country you live in and the severity of the winters that you experience, you could also go through a lot of wood which means you have to store that wood as well.

Are Wood Pellets the Best Heating Fuel For You?

Wood pellets are the second type of fuel used by homeowners.  They are manufactured and sold in stores and cost roughly about the same amount as firewood. The difference though is the ease by which to load them into your heating source and to storage of the pellets. A lot of people prefer using pellets because it’s simpler. You don’t need to chop or dry them out , just simply pick a bag up from the local hardware store and pour them into your heating unit.

In the end, using either wood or pellets for fuel depends on your lifestyle. If you have a hectic type of life, with not much time to spare, then pellets would be the practical option for you. If you are one that enjoys the outdoors or has the time to cut firewood and the room to store it, then maybe firewood is the best heating option for you.

Why use a chimney balloon?

If you’re still not sure that it is right for you, then consider some of the alternatives:

• Blocking your chimney on the inside – time consuming and can cause damp
• Sealing the flue from the outside – expensive and stops you using your fire
• A conventional balloon will either burst or deflate very quickly

A small investment in a chimney balloon removes all of these problems, is very cost-effective and will stay in place for years if you need it to. They are made from a thin and flexible material which is designed to be strong so that it won’t perish while placed in your chimney.

Chimney balloon benefits

Installing this simple but effective product in your home will deliver a number of benefits, some of which are listed below:

• Save money on your fuel bills as less heat escapes
• A cleaner fireplace frees up your time to do other things
• Reduces noise entering your home
• Stops uncomfortable draughts coming down your chimney
• A lasting, reusable and affordable way to keep your home comfortable

How do chimney balloons work?

Each balloon comes with its own hand grip and should be inserted roughly a foot inside your chimney. You then simply open the tap, inflate the chimney balloon until it grips the walls of the flue and then when it’s fully inflated, close the tap. Once fully inflated and in place, it will prevent warm air from escaping, making your home more comfortable and reducing your heating costs.

Installation

For your chimney balloon to work effectively, it is crucial that you install it properly. Here is a summary of the main points to bear in mind:

• Position it 12-24 inches above the top of your fireplace
• Choose a position where the walls are parallel
• Position your balloon where the chimney is narrowest
• Make sure you cannot see the handgrip in the fireplace
• Ensure it fits well and doesn’t move around

Inflation

The most important thing to mention is that you should never inflate your chimney balloon before inserting it up your chimney. This will cause damage to the balloon and will result in a poor fit.

Here is a step-by-step guide to inflating your chimney balloon:

• Open up the tap
• Blow in a small amount of air to allow the balloon to take shape
• Place the balloon in the chimney with the white label facing you
• Fully inflate the balloon using a bellows pump, mouth inflation tube or handgrip extension

Once you’ve fully inflated your chimney balloon, turn the tap off and make sure you remove any device you’ve used to help inflate it. Check that it has remained in the correct position and that it has not been over inflated so that it is too tight. If you inflate the balloon with your warm breath, it may contract a little as the air cools. This can cause the balloon to fall out of the chimney (often this happens during the first night). Top up the air after a few hours to prevent this.

Remember to put your red “remember” notice somewhere prominent so that you don’t light your fire with the chimney balloon still in place. Check it three or four times a year to make sure it is still properly inflated and in position.

Removing your chimney balloon

When you want to remove your balloon from the chimney, you should follow the steps below:

• Open the tap on the handgrip and wait for it to fall from the chimney
• Make sure the balloon is sufficiently deflated so that it does not scrape against the inside of the chimney as you pull it out
• Roll it up in newspaper or a plastic bag for storage
• Remember to remove the red “remember” label

If you try the first step and the chimney balloon doesn’t fall out, then you can remove some of the air inside by carefully pressing the handgrip against the inside of the chimney or if you are able to reach inside, you can gently expel some air by pushing the sides of the balloon towards each other.

Repairs

If you’re inserting and removing your chimney balloon often then it may become damaged. Perforation can occur if the balloon has scraped against the inside of the chimney wall. It is a straightforward job to repair any holes: simply clean the area around the damaged and use packing tape or sticky tape to seal it up.

Preventing chimney damp

The design of the chimney balloon means that a small amount of air will still be able to pass by in order to keep the chimney ventilated and prevent damp building up.

What happens if you light a fire?

If you forget that you have the chimney balloon installed and light a fire underneath it, the balloon will shrivel up and stop working which means the smoke and heat from the fire will be able to escape as normal. Your chimney balloon is unlikely to go up in flames if it remains in position but of course it may drop into the fire itself and start to burn.

If you have an older home chances are that your chimney is going to be unlined. Over the years the interior of the chimney bricks and mortar deteriorates because of the cooling of exhaust gases produced by heating equipment. As the exhaust gas cools it creates condensation and can ultimately deteriorate the chimney to a point where exhaust gases escape the chimney. There is hope though, you can install a retrofit chimney liner.

There are two main ways to install a chimney liner. One is to install a cement liner by using an inflated balloon that is inflated while down the length of the chimney. This creates a tube or void in the center of the chimney. Mortar material is then poured around the exterior of this balloon. When the material has dried and set the balloon is removed and a solid liner then exists around the interior perimeter of the chimney.

The second method is to use a flexible metal liner which is basically a tube of stainless steel that is fed from the top to the bottom of the chimney. This type of liner can be used for boilers and furnaces but can not be used for wood burning fireplaces or wood stoves. Professional installation is recommended but if your ambitious you may want to perform the job yourself. A metal scaffold has to be installed around the chimney and working high off the ground is required. Do not attempt the installation if you are not able to aquire and erect a proper scaffold system.

The chimney must be professionally cleaned before the liner can be installed. Any missing and chipped mortar should be replaced. It is a good time to tuck point the chimney because you or a chimney professional already has the scaffold erected. It will also be less expensive if you incorporate a tuck pointing with the other work being performed.

The flexible stainless steel chimney liner is installed as follows. You will need the help of another person while performing this installation. Drop a long length of medium thickness line down the length of the chimney. Attach the lower end of the flexible chimney liner to the opposite end of the weighted line. This will allow an assistant to gently pull and guide the new liner down through the length of the chimney. While your assistant guides the chimney liner down you are simultaneously feeding the flexible chimney liner down the chimney.

After the chimney liner is completely down the chimney the end has to be connected to a plate which is provided by the manufacturer of the metal liner. The plate will be situated over the hole in the chimney and the smoke pipe from the heating appliance will connect up to the plate. This will allow the heating appliance to vent exhaust gas up through the new metal chimney liner. Seal all gaps where the plate meets the chimney with refractory mortar to tightly secure the plate.

The metal chimney cover can now be installed at the chimney top. The end of the flexible liner will attach to the bottom of this cover so the exhaust gases can escape. The last step is to install the metal chimney hat at the flue outlet at the very top of the chimney. The chimney hat is secured by four screws positioned around the exterior of the chimney hat.

The installation of a new chimney liner is challenging but it is possible for a motivated individual to take on the project. The use of a retrofit cement liner should be left to a professional chimney mason or sweep. Before you attempt the installation a professional chimney sweep should be called in to make sure the structure of the chimney is stable and can accommodate a chimney liner.