The HeatShield Advantage

Are There Hidden Dangers in Your Chimney?

Whether your chimney is used to vent a a fireplace, wood stove, or furnace, most have sections of clay flue tile stacked one above the other to form a liner called a flue. The flue liner should be tightly sealed to protect the integrity and efficiency of your chimney. But over time, hidden dangers develop that will compromise the safety of your chimney.

Gaps

Flue tiles are typically sealed with mortar to keep these gases within the flue. Over time, the mixture of heat, moisture and chemicals will erode the mortar, leaving gaps or voids between flue tiles.

Cracked Flue Tiles

Flue cracks are due to sudden occurrences such as chimney fire, lightning strike, seismic event, or the settling of your home.

Flaking Flue Tiles (Spalling)

Years of exposure to corrosive chemicals and moisture from combustion can attack clay flue tiles causing pieces of the flue liner to flake off. This is a process called spalling.

How These Dangers Can Affect You

Health Risks

These defects, no matter how small, begin a process that will further erode the chimney. These gaps and cracks can cause health risks by allowing poisonous gases to escape into your home.

Fire

Combustible creosote can escape through these openings and build up outside the flue liner. If the creosote were to catch fire in this environment, the fire can no longer be contained in the flue, and can cause serious damage to your home.

Efficiency

Gaps or cracks allow excess air into your chimney. This slows the updraft and makes it harder for smoke and gases to rise up and out. Hence, the fireplace, wood stove or furnace will perform poorly, resulting in loss of heat efficiency.