Chimney & Fireplace Repairs: Trust Ashbusters Nashville for It All

I Have a New House, So It Should Be Fine… Right?

We see it all the time in newer construction – houses built by contractors who are not chimney or fireplace professionals. We’ve actually come across several cases where combustible materials (such as wood) are built right next to, or even contained within, the firebox or flue. 

In order for a fireplace/alternative flame-producing appliance to meet industry codes and regulations, there are certain clearances that must be met. But, without consultation from a chimney and fireplace expert, builders might not know the exact specifications and details. For this reason, we always emphasize the importance of scheduling a level 2 chimney inspection during new construction or upon moving into a new home.

And while newer homes might not always be built properly when it comes to fireplace and chimney standards, that doesn’t let older homes completely off the hook. While the clearances and general structure might be sound and in line with existing codes in homes that predate the 1940s, there is a good chance that the chimney system does not have a liner. 

Possibly one of the most vital components contributing both to optimal performance and overall safety, operating a system without a chimney liner is very dangerous and can create a risk for dangers such as carbon monoxide exposure or poisoning and even chimney fires, if left uncorrected.

What Are Symptoms of a Sick Fireplace or Chimney?

Like we mentioned earlier, there are times when your chimney might be exhibiting clear signs of distress: audible dripping, cracks in the structure, a missing cap, and more. However, there are other times when it might not be as obvious as to what the problem is or where it’s coming from. The following is not exclusive or exhaustive, but does give you some things to look out for when it comes to assessing the health of your system:

• Your fireplace smells like there’s something dead in there. Well, there is a good chance that that’s exactly what is going on… We find many a dead animal, like a raccoon or bird, that have lost their lives trying to get out of a chimney. To keep that from happening, we measure and place a chimney cap that has a screen attached to it to keep the critters out right at the top of the flue. If you have an animal screen already attached, there is either a tear or damage done to it that needs to be fixed or replaced.
• Your chimney smells like wet smoke or the grill outside, but hasn’t been used recently. This is due to moisture buildup on top of the creosote. We fix this by sweeping the chimney and getting all that gunked and caked-on creosote out of the system.
• You’ve opened the damper to get your fire ready and, once you light the flame, smoke begins to fill your living space instead of wafting out the flue. There are a few things that can cause this. There is a possibility that your flue might be blocked by debris, like an animal nest or an accumulation of creosote. It also could be a result of a temperature difference between your home and the outdoors. When the outside temperature is warmer than the inside, the smoke has a difficult time traveling up and out of the chimney. In either case, it’s a signal to schedule your annual chimney cleaning as well as a level 2 inspection so we can get a good look at the inside.
• You find a powdery white substance on the outside of your masonry. This is called efflorescence and is the result of moisture damage expelling the minerals contained within bricks to the surface. While there are some water repellents available to consumers, we recommend you call a chimney professional to come out and clean it, then apply a commercial water repellent.
• You notice cracking in what appears to be brick on your prefabricated fireplace. This is most likely a refractory panel that is designed to mimic the look of brick within the firebox. A professional will need to be called out to evaluate the situation to see if the panel needs to be replaced or not. If you have a masonry fireplace and, thus, real brick, a professional chimney tech will be able to take out those damaged firebricks and replace them with fresh ones.
• You hear a dripping sound coming from the inside of your chimney. Of all the potential causes for chimney and fireplace damage, water is by far the most destructive. Because of the precarious nature and placement of chimney systems, there are pieces in place that are designed to protect against something as common as rain. If you’re seeing signs of water entry, call in the professionals as soon as possible. We will schedule an appointment as quickly as possible to inspect your chimney and evaluate where the leak is coming from. Ignoring it can cause extreme headaches and hiked-up costs down the line which is why we tell all our customers it’s not something that should ever be put off.
• You see flaking bricks and crumbling mortar on the outside of your masonry. Naturally porous, bricks are easily damaged by water. Especially over time and if the brickwork was not properly waterproofed. Known as “spalling,” the flaking of the bricks is quite challenging to repair, so it’s important to leave all that work to an expert who has experience. Otherwise, you might be left with new materials that don’t match the color or composition of the rest of the system.