Having a fireplace and chimney system in your home can significantly enhance your quality of life, but that’s only if it’s properly installed and properly maintained - this goes for all of the components involved in the the proper function of a chimney. One of the most problematic areas in the chimney system is the smoke chamber. It plays a vital role in the function and safety of the entire system and more times than not the smoke chamber is poorly constructed and poorly maintained.
What Is The Smoke Chamber?
The smoke chamber is the part of your chimney system that is located just above the damper and connects the firebox to the flue. It’s shaped like a reverse funnel and is designed to guide smoke from the fire up into the flue so that it can quickly and effectively exit the home.
Common Problems With The Smoke Chamber
Unfortunately, many smoke chambers are constructed from corbeled masonry, which has steps, gaps and holes. Not only does this cause resistance, but it slows the release of smoke from the chimney cap. These steps, gaps and holes give flammable creosote, smoke and soot somewhere to cool and settle. The result: highly flammable glazed creosote and soot buildup along the smoke chamber. These holes and gaps also allow heat from the fire to access nearby combustibles within the walls surrounding the fireplace where a devastating house fire can easily start.
Whats The Solution?
To prevent house fires and creosote buildup, the National Fire Protection Association and the International Residential Code both state that all smoke chamber surfaces “shall be parged smooth”. What Is Parging & Why Is It Beneficial? Parging refers to the process of coating the smoke chamber to fill in all gaps, cracks and holes, and create a smoke-tight surface that encourages speedy smoke exit.
Other Concerns With The Smoke Chamber
The height and incline of the smoke chamber are also important. If our Westchester chimney experts find that your smoke chamber was improperly constructed, we may need to rebuild the entire smoke chamber for optimal safety and efficiency.
Your safety is our biggest concern, so call Guaranteed Chimney of Westchester today!