Chimney Flue

In your fireplace there is a long box called a chimney flue that helps get rid of the smoke and hot gases once a fire is lit. It goes up the chimney and outside. Without one in the fireplace, it will all come back into the home and can really cause a lot of damage. Many homes usually have only one chimney flue, but can have more. Businesses with fireplaces can have multitude of them.

Fireplaces are wonderful to have, for the warmth and ambience as well. They conjure up many fond memories for many people. Sometimes roasted marshmallows and hot dogs are thought of. But they can be dangerous if not properly taken care of. The flow of the smoke and gases is controlled by the damper, which is just inside the chimney flue. Flues are straight, letting the gases and smoke rise easier. Once the damper is open; all smoke will just go up and out into the air. So be sure to open the damper when starting the fire.

Since the gases and smoke reaches such high heat levels, the chimney flue is made of a heat resistant material. Ceramic, brick or tiles are the best materials for a flue. Some fireplaces are made of other materials, metals that can withstand the heat. Creosote is the number one cause of fire in the chimney. It will build up as the fireplace is used.  Some people call it creosote others call it flue gas.

There are ways to clean the chimney flue, from doing it yourself, or have someone else clean it for you. To hire someone would be the best way to go. They are called chimney sweeps. They will come in and for a charge will clean the flue and check for any frail conditions that should be fixed. Hiring a chimney sweep can cost from eighty dollars to two hundred dollars, maybe more, depending on where you live and what kind of fireplace you have.  If wanting to do it yourself, of course it would be much less. Be sure to take all the necessary steps and cautions when doing it yourself. Many online web sites will give step by step instructions.

If doing the cleaning of the chimney flue yourself, a sure way to check and see it there is a creosote build up would be to shine a flashlight near the smoke chamber, the firebox and the damper. If you see black, dull gray or brown soot, which is the start of creosote build up. This can usually be taken care of with a brush that is stiff, almost like wire brush.

If hiring a chimney sweep to clean the chimney flue, find a good one, ask around, do research, it is not just pushing the broom around that cleans the chimney flue. He must know about all the building codes, trained to see venting problems or wear and tear. He will then tell you what needs to be done. Have your chimney flue and fireplace inspected once a year or more. Enjoy the fireplace and more memories will be found.