Protection Against HeatĪ chimney flue protects your chimney bricks and mortar against excess heat from combustion.
So, by getting a chimney flue installed, you save yourself from all these dangers and additional chimney maintenance and cleaning costs. It’s harder for creosote and other combustion byproducts from accumulating in a chimney flue. At such a stage, you’ll have to call in a professional chimney sweep for help. Initially, creosote deposits are easier to remove, but over time, creosote deposits become tar-like and are much harder to remove. Creosote accumulation is dangerous because it restricts airflow within the chimney and can cause chimney fires. Creosote and soot can also accumulate between these gaps. Protection Against CreosoteĬombustion by-products can seep through cracks and gaps between chimney bricks which overtime cause the chimney to disintegrate. Therefore, it allows for an effective exhaust of ash and smoke improving the overall efficiency. These chimney bricks have holes and cavities between them that can trap exhaust materials and smoke.Ī chimney flue, on the other hand, is smooth and free of any gaps or cavities. That’s because conventional chimneys are made from brick and mortar. While a flueless chimney can provide a passage for exhaust gasses and ash, it’s not effective. Is a Chimney Flue Necessary?Īpart from being an effective passage for exhaust gasses and ash, a chimney liner (or flue) is an important chimney component for various other reasons, as detailed below: Easy Passage for Smoke While aluminum is best suited for gas fires, stainless steel is more versatile and can handle greater temperatures.Īdding high-temperature insulation to metal chimney flues is essential to protect your home from excess heat and combustion. Metal chimney flues are cheaper than concrete flues and are made from either aluminum or stainless steel. Often used to repair or replace damaged chimney flues, metal chimney flues are quite durable. The end result, however, is an insulated, smooth flue that works best for all sorts of combustion be its open fire, gas, or even liquid. Also, concrete chimneys are poured on-site and have a difficult installation. Concrete (Cast-in-place) Chimney FlueĬoncrete chimney flues are known to be expensive but give significant support to your chimney’s structure because they are cast in place. Lastly, if you’ve got a gas fireplace, you shouldn’t go with a clay chimney. Creosote buildup is another major issue with clay chimneys so regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to keep a clay chimney up and running.
However, it easily cracks in case of a chimney fire because of the poor heat distribution of clay. Not as versatile as stainless-steel fluesīest suited for open fireplaces, a clay chimney flue is cost-effective and quite common. Great for gas fireplaces (low-efficiency appliances) A chimney flue basically comes in three varieties: Chimney Flue Type Now that you’ve got the basic understanding of a flue, it’s time to talk about its different types. However, this heat loss can also be minimized by using a chimney damper. Since warmer (lighter) air from the inside also rises up and outside the chimney, the temperature inside the room is lowered and heat is lost. While quite effective at removing unwanted exhaust gasses and ash, this phenomenon also lowers the efficiency of your fireplace. Since smoke and ash are lighter than the denser, colder air outside, they push up the chimney flue and dispersed outside. Your chimney flue exploits a phenomenon called ‘stack effect’ (also referred to as ‘chimney effect’) that occurs when the air outside is significantly colder than the air inside. Made from metal, clay, or ceramic, a flue is installed inside a chimney to carry the exhaust outside and keep the chimney walls safe from heat and corrosion. What is a Chimney Flue? And How Does Chimney Ventilation Work?Ī chimney flue is a duct that runs along the chimney, from the firebox (where the fire is ignited) to the top end of the chimney. We’ll also discuss best practices for chimney flue maintenance and various danger signs so that you can prevent dangerous situations and costly damages from happening.
If you’re not sure what a chimney flue is or how it works, the following guide will help you clear all your doubts and become more knowledgeable about chimney flues. One of the causes of a chimney fire is a damaged chimney flue. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), reported around 17,600 chimney fires per year between 2015 to 2017.Īlthough disastrous, these fires are often preventable and occur due to negligence or ignorance of the various chimney parts. What is a Chimney Flue? And Why Should You Care?