A chimney can be an excellent addition to any home to add warmth and atmosphere. However, without proper care, these structures can prove a considerable danger to your home’s safety.
One of the largest of these dangers is a damaged chimney flue. These structures are designed to provide a protective tube inside your chimney that, when broken, can allow heat and smoke to escape into the rest of your home. This means even a small crack can be dangerous and require immediate attention.
Before you put off repairs or, even worse, attempt them on your own, take a moment to consider the dangers a broken chimney flue can present.
What Does Your Chimney’s Flue Do?
A chimney flue is a material lining the inside of your chimney that acts as a pipe to channel the heat, smoke, and combustion byproducts out of your fireplace and into the outside air. Though without a flue or with a damaged one, your chimney may still function, it presents a number of dangers, as we will now address.
Flues Prevent the Buildup of Combustible Materials
A chimney liner is built to provide a precise fit inside your chimney that helps your fireplace to maintain an optimum burn. This prevents the inefficiencies that can lead to a buildup of dangerous and potentially combustible material in addition to wasted fuel. In gas-fueled appliances, this can cause the release of carbon monoxide.
Flues Protect the Rest of Your Home
Chimney flues have been found to significantly reduce the risk of fires, particularly when the chimney comes near to potentially combustible materials. The flue channels the heat and gases controlling their movement as they escape.
Without a flue or with a crack or break in the liner, the heat and gases can cause these materials to ignite. A severe malfunction of the flue can pose nearly as much of a risk as not having one at all, putting your home at extreme risk of a fire.
Flues Prevent the Escape of Dangerous Combustion Byproducts
You may not know this, but the smoke and other byproducts of combustion contain acidic properties and can do quite a lot of damage to stone and masonry. Over time these materials can gradually corrode the material of your chimney.
With enough time, this can create gaps through which gases can subtly escape, including the particularly dangerous gas carbon monoxide. This is why it is important to regularly check your chimney’s flue for cracks which, when discovered before damage occurs to the surrounding structure, can save you a lot of money.
Final Thoughts
As you can now see, your chimney flue is an essential part of the overall structure that is necessary to prevent damage to your home and a risk to the safety of you and your family. It is important to ensure your chimney flue is inspected regularly and damages are immediately repaired before resuming the use of the fireplace.
Contact Us
If your chimney is due for an inspection or repairs, contact North Shore Roofing. Our experienced team is ready to answer any questions you may have and restore your chimney to its former glory. Call us at (978) 977-3816 and connect with us on Facebook.
