Restore Your Chimney with Heatshield®
One thing we have learned after more than 22 years of servicing chimneys in North Carolina is missing mortar joints are extremely dangerous and, if not repaired, can cause chimney fires. If you are burning a fire or furnace and have a chimney with mortar joints that are missing, then your chimney is not up to code. That’s why, when applicable, we recommend the HeatShield® System, a revolutionary and nondestructive method of repair for your chimney. It has a 20-year transferable warranty.
HeatShield® is used to resurface an existing chimney liner instead of installing a more expensive stainless steel chimney liner. We have to run a video camera up through the entire appliance and flue system to look at any missing mortar joints that can be missed with a simple visual inspection after cleaning. If possible we will use the HeatShield® System. This is one reason to have a professional evaluate the integrity of the chimney to see if a HeatShield® repair is appropriate for your chimney.
Because extreme heat from fires in the fireplace can reach combustibles and cause a chimney fire to occur when there are loose or open mortar joints, it is very important to get annual inspections. It’s during these inspections where we find different needs to keep chimneys in the best working order possible, within your budget, and that includes finding missing mortar joints.
As a consumer, the more you know how a chimney works, the better. We find the best-educated consumers are not only the safest, but also spend less money for repairs over time than those who let there appliance deteriorate until major repairs are required.
Top Seven Things we Find to Cause Serious Issues IF they are Not Restored and Resurfaced
- Mortar that is missing or deteriorating between clay flue liners
- Spalled clay flue liners or tiles (flaking)
- Clay liners that are eroding
- Gaps and holes between flue tiles
- Flue tiles that are split or cracked
- Gases that can escape through cracks and gaps in the tile
- Sparks that can escape through cracks and gaps in the tile
Using video to inspect chimneys also allows the sweep to examine the entire flue for missing mortar joints and cracked flue tiles, and the HeatShield® System can also be used to resurface the entire flue system and not just the missing mortar joints. There are even cases of multiple cracks or mortar joints missing in the flue and spalled bricks where HeatShield® resurfacing is deemed appropriate.
The reason this system is cost efficient compared to completely replacing the liner or flue system is it is a resurfacing procedure and not a replacement procedure. It works by coating the inside of the chimney and flue with several layers of materials starting with a primer and then the sealant after which a foam insert smooths the sealant into the cracks and crevasses to create a smooth surface that is crack free. Once the material drys, another video inspection takes place to ensure that the repair is correct, with no cracks. Just cleaning the chimney every year will not detect these issues. That’s why inspections are also recommended.
It would be great if the HeatShield® System worked on every chimney liner and flue but there are some occasions where the only thing that makes sense is to install a new stainless steel liner. We understand that your life depends on our recommendations and chimney repairs are not anything to mess around with. That’s why we adhere to current local building and fire codes as well as complete current professional training and certifications as needed.
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Another great way to protect your chimney is by waterproofing, which is one of our frequently-asked-for chimney services.