Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Reasons To Consider Chimney Repair

By Rosella Campbell


Countries that are far away from the equator and nearer to the poles generally have colder temperatures. To top the cold sensation they even have a couple of months devotes to the winter season, where a blanket of snow covers the land. While this creates a near magical effect to the eyes, one cannot escape the cold that comes with it, which sometimes could be really extreme.

While some people enjoy the feeling of being out and about in the snow covered landscape, majority would rather stay in and keep themselves warm, if they had that option. They have even devised many ingenuous ways to maintain normal body temperature. One way is to swath oneself in layers after layers of clothing. Another is to stay huddled up in comforters and blankets. Another way is to enjoy a steaming mug of hot cocoa and internally rejoicing on the fact that you are lazing away in front of the fireplace with chimney repair Portland OR than freezing your buns off outside.

A chimney is actually that structure that allows the smoke and flue emitted by the fireplace to flow and get mixed in the outside atmosphere. They are often made to be in a vertical position for optimal flue gas flow. They were first used in very large residences in as early as the 12th century, yet only became popular when people started baking right at home during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Traditionally, they are made out of brick or stones. As time progressed and society entered what is commonly known as the modern age, tile liners are used to replace bricks to fit in with the architectural theme of most new age homes. Today, there are so many chimney types, yet they all suffer more or less the same common problems. Owners, regardless of the materials used in their structures, agree upon four common troubles.

Obstruction is one of the usual dilemmas that you can encounter. Sometimes the problem is caused by something very easily corrected, such as removing that nest to allow the smoke to pass easily. Oftentimes, though, it can be caused by things that take a while to be rectified. One reason for obstruction is the lack of adequate height. Too short stacks can result in obstruction as the updraft inhibits flue gases from going out. A home that is way too airtight can suck in the smoke so that it comes out of the fireplace instead of the chimney.

One of the usual dilemmas come in the form of obstruction. This can be caused about by a solid object that can get in the way, such as a nest. This can also be caused by a chimney that is too short. This lack of height will cause the updraft to block in the way and cause the smoke to get stuck, which is a contributory factor to the deposits of creosote.

Traditionally made smokestacks are made entirely of bricks. Over time, they tend to be brittle, causing them to crumble and fall off. To avoid building a new one, experts apply tuckpointing, which removes the old mortar and replaces it with a new one for strength.

Brick chimneys also suffer from the normal wear and tear brought about by environmental factors. They can crumble and fall after a few years if the cracks are not repaired. This is easily corrected by removing the old mortar and applying a new one.

These problems require the expertise of paid professionals. This can mean added expenses, of course, which is why it is necessary to have these problems corrected before they develop into something serious. Keep in mind that it takes a smaller amount to have repairs than to rebuild one.




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