Chimney Considerations

A characteristic problem of chimneys is they develop deposits of creosote on the walls of the structure when used with wood as a fuel. Deposits of this substance can interfere with the airflow and more importantly, they are flammable and can cause dangerous chimney fires if the deposits ignite in the chimney.

Chimneys that burn natural gas drastically reduce the amount of creosote buildup due to natural gas burning much cleaner and more efficiently than traditional solid fuels.

While in most cases there is no need to clean a gas chimney on an annual basis that does not mean that other parts of the chimney cannot fall into disrepair.

Disconnected or loose chimney connections caused by rust and corrosion over time can pose serious dangers for residents due to leakage of carbon monoxide into the home. Thus, it is recommended — and in some countries even mandatory — that chimneys be inspected annually and cleaned on a regular basis to prevent these problems.

Issues not deal with today could be big trouble tomorrow.

Other Chimney Issues:

• Shifting foundations, which may degrade integrity of chimney masonry

• Nesting or infestation by unwanted animals such as squirrels, racoons, or chimney swifts

• Chimney leaks

• Drafting issues, which may cause smoke inside building

• Issues with fireplace or heating appliance may uause unwanted degradation or hazards to chimney