Your chimney was constructed to be able to withstand extreme heat, smoke, and other byproducts that are produced from your fireplace. However, overtime, exposure to corrosive gases and creosote will eventually take its toll on your chimney flue. If your chimney is starting to show signs of wear and tear, issues can arise that are hazardous to the health of your family.
When the inside of your chimney starts to crack and crumble, you may think the only options are to reline or replace your chimney flue entirely. However, At Leonard and Sons, we have another option. We use a product called HeatShield®, which is designed to repair the inside of your chimney. If your chimney flue has minor issues such as cracking, spalling, and crumbling, HeatShield® could be your answer. HeatShield® saves you time and money when it comes to keeping your chimney operating properly.
What are some common flue issues?
Some of the most common issues that we run across when we perform a chimney inspection include:
- Spalling – This occurs when your chimney masonry or flue tiles start to chip. This is an issue because smoke leaving your chimney doesn’t have a nice smooth path to exit. When smoke starts to churn inside your chimney, it can backed up and come out of your fireplace into your home.
- Cracks – There are many reasons why there are cracks in your chimney masonry or flue tiles. Seismic activity, extreme temperature swings, lightning, or even your home settling have all create chimney cracks. Small cracks eventually grow into bigger cracks, so it is important to get them repaired quickly.
- Gaps – Your chimney masonry and flue tiles are held together with a cement-like substance called mortar. Overtime, the mortar can erode and deteriorate. If your mortar deteriorates to a gap between your bricks or flue tiles, smoke and byproducts such as carbon monoxide can leak into your home.
Let us Help
At Leonard and Sons, we can repair the inside of your chimney with a product called HeatShield®. HeatShield® works by filling in gaps, cracks, or chips in your chimney masonry or flue tiles and spreading a refractrant on your flue. As it spreads, it fills in any chips, cracks, or gaps while giving your chimney a nice smooth inside. We use HeatShield® to fix minor issues because it’s affordable, and it is not as time-consuming or invasive as relining a chimney.
If it’s been a while since you’ve had the inside of your chimney inspected, now is a great time. Call Leonard and Sons at 847-658-7659 or schedule an appointment online with one of our chimney experts today! We’ll make sure the your chimney is operational and safe for use.
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