Chimneys are designed to safely funnel smoke and hot gasses away from the interior of your house. Most handle this important job admirably, but a chimney that is not in good repair and well-maintained can be a safety hazard and can waste energy.
Traditionally, chimneys have been built of brick and mortar, lined with fireproof flue tiles, and capped with mortar to seal the top against the weather. Newer, easier to install types are made of metal and come as part of prefabricated kits.
Inspect your chimney at the beginning of each heating season. Shine a flashlight up inside and look for obstructions such as leaves or birds’ nests; also check for soot buildup. Burning highly resinous wood such as pine will cause flammable creosote—a sap-like material—to build up on the inner walls of the chimney. Also look for any missing or cracked flue tiles.
From the outside or the roof, look for crumbling mortar, loose or missing bricks, or flashing that has pulled away from the roof and the chimney. If you live in earthquake country, check your chimney for cracks after noticeable temblors; some of these are harmless, but others may need repair to prevent a fire hazard.
