What problems can my chimney have?
Some fireplaces have problems, most of which can be resolved. While the following is not a complete list of problems, it describes
some of the more common ones.
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email: chimneyclean@earthlink.net
1. Smoking back
There are many fireplaces that seem to smoke back into the house no matter what is done. In our experience, the
most common cause is that the fireplace simply needs to be cleaned. This is especially likely if the fireplace has gotten worse over
time, that is, the smoking back is worse now than it used to be.
Several other possible causes of smoking back are problems with
the damper, chimney cap, grate, firewood, or structural problems with the chimney itself. At Chimney Clean and Carpet Clean Company,
we do a full inspection with every cleaning, or we can also do just the inspection if the chimney doesn’t need to be cleaned. This
inspection is designed to reveal any causes of smoking back.
2. Broken chimneys
In the Bay Area, many chimneys were broken in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Usually, these chimneys are broken
at or near the roof line, although sometimes they can be broken further down, even at the ground level.
We are fully licensed
masonry contractors. We rebuild broken chimneys. If they are broken at the roof line, this usually entails taking the chimney part
of the way down brick by brick, installing steel reinforcing bars, getting an inspecition from a city inspector, then rebuilding the
chimney back up around the steel rebar.
3. Missing mortar or damaged bricks
Over time, many chimneys develop places that are missing mortar between bricks, or damaged
bricks, either inside the firebox or on the outside of the chimney. These areas can usually be repaired, either by replacing the missing
mortar or replacing the bricks themselves. Items such as these can be dangerous because they can allow flames, sparks or hot gases
to enter the structure of the house.
4. Water entry
Sometimes the metal that covers the chimney just above the roof, called “flashing”, will come loose or develop leaks.
In this case, water sometimes comes into the ceiling of the room and causes water spots and stains on the sheetrock. This flashing
should be repaired before the water causes more damage.
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