
Fixing
Chimneys
Chimney damper
A chimney damper is an adjustable vent which helps to regulate the flow of
air into the chimney flue, keeping the fire alive.
When a fire is first lit it is a good idea to keep the damper completely open
and as the fire grows and establishes itself the chimney damper can gradually
be closed.
Once the fire is burning properly the damper can be closed completely, by this time the chimney will have heated up enough for the cycle of air being sucked in the bottom of the fire and smoke and gases expelled from the top of the fire to continue through a process of convection
The chimney damper can be opened or closed by adjusting a lever on the chimney flue.
Chimney cap or chimney cowl
There's the story of a woman who went to make her first fire of the season and was met by a nasty odour. It turns out that during the preceding year a bird had made a nest in the chimney and when she tried to light the fire, the nest cause a blockage not letting sufficient oxygen through and then started to smoulder along with feathers and all manner of debris the bird had brought into the chimney causing the foul smelling smoke to flow back into the room.
A chimney cowl or chimney cap will prevent rain water, leaves, birds and other unwanted objects from entering your chimney, and is often in the form of a slab. A chimney cowl in addition to preventing rain from entering the chimney also assist with a better draw of air, aiding the smoke on its passage upwards and out of the fireplace.
Cowls and caps come in a variety of styles from ornate to plain, old fashioned to contemporary and have proved their worth time and again.
Chimney repairs
If you've had your chimney cleaned by us you still have problems getting that fire started and burning strongly there may be a problem in another part of your chimney. You can check these yourself to see if they are in good repair.
- What condition is the firebox in?
- Is the lintel in good repair?
- Check the smoke chamber
- If your fireplace is of the freestanding variety, check if the connection to the flue is intact
- Is the chimney adequate for the fireplace?
- Overall condition of the chimney, check for cracks etc.
Chimneys are exposed to the extremes of temperature and if you find yourself
living in an area where the temperatures dip below zero you have a very real
chance of concrete weathering away and your chimney starting to fall apart.
But don't think that it's only extreme temperatures which cause problems, time
is just as big a factor. Nothing lasts forever and being outside, exposed to
the elements for 20 years or more will definitely leave some damage.
Chimney repairs can be tackled by you if you consider yourself a skilled handyman
and have a fair idea of brick laying and plastering.
Before you attempt any repairs to the chimney make sure
- the fireplace opening is closed to prevent a mess inside your house.
- have steady footing on the roof.
- you have the right tools for the job.
- don't use the fire place until your repairs have set.
- kill plants/weeds growing in the chimney with a herbicide, do not pull them out while alive asthey will pull up the bricks and cement.
Now that your chimney has been swept and repaired and the days are getting colder, it seems appropriate that you order your load of firewood and build a fire that will warm you through.
Click here for a quick "how-to" on making a fire.
Fireplace inserts
Fireplaces, though lovely when the fire is roaring and everyone is feeling toasty,
are notorious energy wasters. The heat that one feels is because of the presence
of a flame, most of the generated heat is sucked up and away through the chimney
and into the cold space in front of the fireplace.
A fireplace insert is a steel or cast iron box with an insulated glass front
which effectively creates its own combustion system. Fireplace inserts do however
take away from the charm of a roaring fireplace and all that goes into getting
your fire just right, as they are powered by electricity, gas, wood or coal
and the action takes place behind the glass door.
page updated on 15/04/2014