The smoke chamber sits just above the firebox and damper. It serves as a gateway to the chimney flue. In traditional masonry fireplaces, the smoke chamber is angled on the sides and front and vertically flat at the back. This construction is intended to serve as an upside-down funnel.

Does a fireplace need a smoke chamber?

The Purpose of a Smoke Chamber The chimney system is one that is very important to the proper function and safety of the fireplace. The firebox holds the fire and the chimney—more specifically, the flue—vents the fire. The space where the smoke travels to rise up into the flue is called the smoke chamber.

Does a chimney need a smoke shelf?

Fireplaces must have smoke shelves. The Canadian research has shown that smoke shelves are not needed, but fireplaces should have a throat and a flue close to the front of the fireplace and a chimney top damper instead of or in addition to a throat damper.

What does a smoke shelf do in a fireplace?

Smoke shelf Located between the firebox and smoke chamber (see below), the smoke shelf’s job is to collect any rainwater or debris that may have entered the chimney. The smoke shelf also helps to prevent downdrafts from sending smoke and toxins into your home.

Is smoke chamber parging necessary?

When smoke chamber parging is needed The CSIA recommends that all smoke chambers have smooth walls, and most building codes require it. … In the case of an uneven, or corbeled, smoke chambers, the CSIA recommends parging. Additionally, parging can be recommended when the bricks of the smoke chamber break down.

How much does it cost to Parge a smoke chamber?

Cost to Parge Chimney Chimney parging coats the smoke chamber with mortar and costs $1,000 to $2,000. Parging smooths over the smoke chamber so that any residue that lies in uneven crevices doesn’t leak out or combust.

Why does my wood fire smoke when I open the door?

Your wood stove relies on suction, called draft or draught, from the chimney to draw the smoke up out of your wood stove and out of your house. There are a few items that can cause bad draft in wood burning stoves: a cold chimney, wind induced down draft, or even a clogged or obstructed chimney.

What is a smoke shelf made of?

A smoke shelf is created by filling the void behind the firebox with brick or rubble, creating a large thermal barrier. At that top of that filled void is a flat or concave area that is parge coated to form the smoke shelf.

How hot does a smoke chamber get?

How hot does it get? Testing in our industry shows that chimney fires can reach well over 2100 degrees, and many get as hot as 3000 degrees, as in a test by the Midwest Chimney Safety Council did several years ago. After the fire is out, the chimney continues to heat up.

How do I clean my chimney smoke shelf?

Start by brushing and vacuuming the area inside the chimney at a point just above the damper’s location. Then clean off the smoke shelf, which is the ledge on which the damper rests. Although an awkward area, it should be cleaned thoroughly, even if you must brush soot from it with a gloved hand.

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What is a fireplace damper?

A chimney damper prevents conditioned (warmed or cooled) house air from escaping through the flue when you’re not using the fireplace. You need to open the damper when you start a fire to allow for proper airflow and let the smoke out.

How do fireplace chimneys work?

Chimneys work by removing byproduct gases, like carbon dioxide, from the air. Its function is not to remove hot air but to instead remove hot gases from the heating unit used in your home. We all think of “fireplace” when we hear “chimney,” but any heat source that burns fuel (wood, oil, gas, coal) requires a chimney.

How does a smoke guard work?

Smoke guards and fireplace doors work by lowering the top of the fireplace opening, adding extra space for the smoke as it collects prior to passing through the damper. This solution often helps reduce or eliminate constant fireplace smoking.

Is parging necessary?

The importance of parging Parging is vital to any wall to protect its surface from external forces such as rain, wind, ice, and snow. This protection removes the potential risk of moisture seeping into a masonry wall, as this can expand when frozen and crack the installation.

What do you use to Parge a chimney?

Load a steel float or trowel with parge and, beginning at the base of the chimney, scrape parge into the mortar lines and across the brick in a thin coat.

How do you burn wood without smoke?

1. Use Dry Firewood. If you want to reduce smoke created by your fire, burn only dry firewood. …
2. Avoid Green Wood. …
3. Don’t Burn Debris. …
4. Allow Airflow.

How do I stop my fireplace from smoking?

1. Use A Fireplace Grate. …
2. Build Fires Towards The Back Of The Fireplace. …
3. Build Fires Using The Top-Down Method. …
4. Burn Dry & Low Moisture Content Firewood. …
5. Open The Damper Fully Before Each Fire. …
6. Preheat The Chimney To Start The Draft. …
7. Build Smaller, Hotter Fires.

What causes a fireplace not to draw?

The main reasons why your wood stove does not draw can include: The stove or flue is too cold. The flue or chimney is dirty. The room or house is too airtight.

What does repointing a chimney mean?

Repointing or tuckpointing is a process that helps to renew the outer parts of mortar joints. Over time, chimneys become increasingly exposed to various external elements. This makes the structures prone to damage and decay. Unfortunately, these damages can cause voids and gaps to appear between units of masonry.

What can I replace my chimney with?

You can only remove a chimney if it isn’t being used and won’t be used in the future. Heating system and hot water can be replaced with Direct Vent unit(s), which can take in fresh air and exhaust combustion gasses through PVC tubing running out the side of the building. Or you can switch to electric heat.

What is chimney flashing?

Chimney flashing is a type of roof flashing that creates a waterproof seal to protect your chimney and roof from water damage and penetration. … Step flashing is an L-shaped piece of metal that lies under the roofing shingles and along the brick of your masonry chimney.

Where unlined the smoke chamber walls shall be what thickness?

According to NFPA 211, the walls of smoke chambers should be 6″ thick if lined with firebrick or 8″ thick. If no firebrick is present and the inside surface of the smoke chamber should be smooth.

How much does it cost to Parge a chimney?

The average cost to parge a chimney is between $1,000 and $2,000.

What is the hole in the bottom of my fireplace?

The ash pit is built at the fireplace base so that old ashes are swept or scraped into the ash pit and a fresh fire can be built in a clean fireplace. … Depending on its size, the ash pit may hold a season’s ashes so that it does not need emptying in inclement weather.

Why does my fireplace have two levers?

The second handle you may find in your fireplace (usually located on the left inside panel) is a control lever for the outside air kit. When burning your fireplace, the outside air kit lever should always be in the open (or up) position. The outside air kit is designed to provide additional air for combustion.

What is the chimney crown?

The chimney crown is the upper-most portion of the chimney. Its purpose is to allow smoke and fume to vent through the flue to prevent moisture from getting inside. It is built using cement reinforced with a wire mesh for stability and durability. The lip of the crown is sloped to direct moisture away from the chimney.

Do chimney cleaning logs really work?

Many homeowners wonder if the chimney sweep logs or creosote sweeping logs really work to clean out fireplace flues and get rid of creosote residue so that the fireplaces are safe to use. The short answer is no, they don’t work. At least, not well enough to completely clean out the flue the way it should be cleaned.

What dissolves creosote?

Creosote is moderately soluble in water. Spraying water onto the creosote will help to remove the liquid. However, creosote is a type of oil that is never removed fully by water. Bleach and industrial cleaners will help to pull the creosote out of clothes and off of skin or other surfaces.

What's the difference between a damper and a flue?

The flue is simply the open middle of the chimney that the smoke goes up. … A damper is intended to shut off– either fully or partially- the chimney flue. The reason you’d want to do that is to keep heat ($$$) from escaping up the chimney.

Should fireplace damper be closed when not in use?

The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Close it when it’s not it use. … The damper should be kept open until all embers are finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the home. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed.

Can I leave the flue open overnight?

The smoke from burning wood contains carbon monoxide, so in order to prevent this toxic byproduct from entering your home, it is important to leave the flue open overnight. This enables a draft to carry the compound out into the atmosphere, instead of sinking down the chimney and saturating the room.