Now, a chimney system is a combination of various parts and components, each of which has to be maintained properly for the system to perform at its best. While parts like the flue, the chimney liners, and the chimney caps normally get the attention they deserve, the smoke chamber is one section that is often left neglected. And as it turns out, this is the section of the chimney that’s more likely to catch a fire.
What’s The Smoke Chamber?
The smoke chamber is the section of the chimney that’s located at the base of the flue just above the fireplace damper. Its job is to direct the flow of gases and smoke up into the flue. Most smoke chambers found in homes are built using a block or corbeled technique that prevents fumes from backing up into the house.
The latter is the older technique which no longer meets existing building code requirements. It involves laying the bricks in a pattern that resembles steps. The jagged edges enhance the chances of the mortar joints suffering accelerated deterioration because of its close proximity to the gases and heat rising through the chamber. This can lead to the formation of voids and gaps that impeded the flow of smoke, thus increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The smoke chambers in modern chimneys, on the other hand, feature smooth interior surfaces. The absence of the jagged edges means stronger mortar joints which enhances performance, efficiency, and safety.
Parging the Smoke Chamber
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends parging corbeled smoke chambers to rectify any deficiencies. Parging refers to a restorative process in which the jagged surfaces are smoothed out and any gaps or cracks in the mortar joints are filled with new mortar material. Parging lowers the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire and enhances the fireplace’s efficiency and performance.
Smoke Chamber Repair
Homeowners are advised to schedule professional chimney inspections on a regular basis to determine if their smoke chamber needs to be parged. If it does, the chimney technician will make the repairs needed to ensure the smoke chamber meets current building codes.
CT Chimney Repair offers professional chimney repair and rebuilding services at reasonable rates all across the state of Connecticut. Get in touch with our chimney experts today for further information.
