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Damaged Smoke Chamber? Let Us Help!

Damaged Smoke Chamber? Let Us Help!

Your chimney has a lot of components and oftentimes, homeowners overlook components that are not easily seen. However, there are many pieces to your chimney system that you can’t see but are critical to the operation of your fireplace and chimney. One of these components is your smoke chamber. At TN Fireplace and Chimney, we want to educate you on why your smoke chamber is so important to your chimney’s operation and what you can do to make sure your smoke chamber stays operational.

What does your smoke chamber do?close up of masonry fireplace

Your smoke chamber is basically an inverted funnel that is located directly above your firebox. The funnel shape of the smoke chamber is important because it allows smoke and gases to be gradually compressed and guided up the flue. The funnel allows smoke and gases to be expelled from your chimney system quickly and smoothly. Without the funnel shape, smoke would have to find its own way out of your chimney, which would take more time. This helps improve the efficiency of your fireplace.

If smoke and other gas byproducts linger in your smoke chamber too long, it can cool down and condense before it is expelled from your chimney. This can lead to excess condensation and, therefore, higher levels of creosote buildup. Another issue that your smoke chamber helps to prevent is exposure to carbon monoxide. If carbon monoxide is allowed to stay in your chimney system too long, it can seep into your home through holes or cracks in your chimney masonry, putting your family at risk of exposure to carbon monoxide.

Smoke Chamber Maintenance

Because your smoke chamber is located directly above your fireplace, it is exposed to some pretty harsh conditions. High heat and corrosive gases can cause the masonry of your smoke chamber to crack, chip, and crumble. When this happens, your smoke chamber can become misshapen. This will affect the flow of smoke and gases to your chimney flue. At TN Fireplace and Chimney, we use a technique called parging to remediate smoke chamber issues. Parging requires us to use a masonry sealant, either Chamber Coat or HeatShield®, to seal and smooth the inside of your smoke chamber. We will make sure that any cracks and holes are filled and that your smoke chamber is the perfect shape to allow smoke and gases to once again flow smoothly from your fireplace to outside your home.

Get Your Chamber Inspected Today!

It is important that you get your smoke chamber inspected periodically by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified technician. If you live in the Knoxville area, we are the only CSIA certified chimney technicians available. If there are any issues detected in your smoke chamber, our certified technicians will be able to smooth and fix your chamber for you. Beat the fall rush by getting your smoke chamber (and entire chimney and fireplace) inspected today. Call TN Fireplace and Chimney now at (865) 922-2262 or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to serving you!

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