Fireplace Lowdown

Classy Chimney Caps Add Interest to Your Roof Line

A chimney cap at the top of your chimney can help protect your roof and close-hanging branches from sparks.  And it can look cool too.

This custom-made and hand-crafted chimney cap from the American Craftsman Corporation was made from 16-ounce sheet copper and is designed to "last a lifetime."  Not only is it crafted to protect your home from errant sparks, but it has wire mesh affixed to the inside to keep pests out (no more birds nesting in the chimney, thank you very much).

Prices vary since the chimney caps are custom-made, but expect to pay about $17.00 per inch (a 48" x 60" cap would be $1,836).

American Craftsman

Save Money on Your Energy Bill with a Fireplace Plug

Most people only burn wood in their fireplaces once in a while for ambiance; after all, traditional wood-burning fireplaces aren't very energy efficient (if you really want to heat your home, you need to get a wood or pellet stove).  Yet all that time when the fireplace isn't in use, heat (in the winter) and cool air-conditioned air (in the summer) are escaping up the chimney.  Even with the damper closed, air leaks past and costs you money in the form of a higher heating bill.

So, what can you do?  One thing you may want to consider is a fireplace plug or "draft stopper." 

The one shown here is from Battic Door, a company that makes energy conservation products.  As you can see, the fireplace plug looks a lot like a big pillow.  That's essentially what it is.  When you push it up into the chimney, it keeps air from escaping, thus saving you money on your energy bill.  There's a video on their site you can check out if you want more information:

Battic Door

Chimney Checklist

As summer approachs, fewer people are worried about chimneys and indoor fireplaces, but I'll go ahead and post the link to this list anyway.  Put out by the Australian government, this "Check Your Chimney" pdf file is a nice, easily printable, list of chimney items to help you make sure your wood burning isn't unduly affecting the environment and the air pollution in your neighborhood. (Some of the tips can also save you money.)

Chimney Checklist

Chimney Fans Can Fix Smoke Problems

If you smell smoke in your home when you light a fire, there might be a problem with the chimney draw.  A chimney fan mounted on top of the chimney could solve the problem and end worries of indoor air pollution.  You can get fans with variable-speed motors that can be controlled from your room.  These fans work to correct the smoke problem as well as providing year-round ventilation in your home.  There are a number of different models you can try.  Ask at your local home improvement store or browse on the net for "chimney fans."

Source: Suck It Up

What to Do If You Have a Chimney Fire

Detecting a chimney fire typically isn't a problem (you'll usually hear a prologued roaring noise, and smoke and odors will fill the house; dark smoke and possibly sparks and flames will come out of the top of the chimney).  It's what you do when you realize it's happening that will determine how bad it becomes.  Some chimney fires aren't horribly destructive becuase they don't always have enough fuel or oxygen to really get going, but all chimney fires can be potentially devastating, so they should always be taken seriously.  Here's what you need to do:

1. Shut down the fire's air supply as much as possible by closing all the air intakes on a stove (for a fireplace, cover the opening with something nonflammable).

2. Call the fire department, even if it doesn't seem that serious.  It's a heck of a lot easier for them to put out a chimney fire than to extinguish the structural fire that could result a few minutes later.

3. After you've shut down air to the fire and called for help, be prepared to evacuate your house if it becomes necessary.

Source: Guide to Wood Heat

Designer Copper Chimney Pots

Looking to spruce up the top of your chimney (or maybe just improve the draft up the flue)?  Chimney pots are designed to keep birds and squirrels from nesting in your chimney, and they also keep rainwater from draining down into your fireplace. They can also improve your draft by adding height to the chimney.  Most people just stick an ugly chimney cap up there that looks like a "flying saucer perched on a chickenwire fence" but there are plenty out there that can draw the eye and make a cool statement on your roof.  Oklahoma architect Jack Arnold, maker of European Copper, offers a selection of chimney pots based on chess pieces.  This one is called the Knight (everything from King and Queen to Pawn is available).  Arnold's chimney pots are priced between $700 and $1,400 and are available via his web site: http://www.jackarnold.com

Quote from "Copper Smokestack Caps" in the Nov 2005 issue of This Old House magazine.

Thwarting Birds in the Chimney

Some folks have problems with birds nesting in their chimney.  I found a FAQ over at Chimney Keepers that addresses this (and a number of other chimney-related issues).  Ultimately, they recommend installing a chimney cap.  If you want to read a bit more about it, here's the link: http://chimneykeepers.com/faq.html#17

The entire FAQ is posted at http://chimneykeepers.com/faq.html

Chimney Pots Add Style + Have Real Benefits

Chimney pots attach to the top of your chimney and are made in a variety of styles and designs to reflect your unique tastes.   By adding a creative element to your roof line, they can enhance your home's "curb appeal."  They also have a functional purpose.  Chimney pots, because they taper as they rise, can give you a better draft, thus making it easier to get a fire started. 

More sources for chimney pot information:

Rumford on Chimney Pots, a short essay.
Spots on Chimney Pots, an article from Old-House Journal.
Chimney Pots Top the Stack, an article that looks at other benefits of chimney pots (such as keeping critters from nesting in your chimney)

Get Your Chimney Inspected After You Move

When you move into a new home, you need to get the chimney inspected before you build a fire. Even better, have the home inspected before you sign anything.  Home inspections will check for things like cracks in the flue or other damage to the chimney. One home inspector says, "The purpose of a home inspection is to discover "unknown" defects such as a damaged fireplace or chimney. I remember one home inspection where I discovered a cracked flue liner that had to be repaired at a cost of more than $4,000." That's definitely something you want to find out about before you take possession of the house and are responsible for all the maintenance.

Quote from: Yes, You Must First Inspect Chimney

Creosote--Is Your Chimney Safe?

What is creosote? Creosote is a dark brown or black tar.  You might come across the term in different contexts, but in relation to fireplaces, we're talking about a flammable byproduct caused by the combustion (AKA burning) of wood.

Over time, deposits of creosote gather on the inside of the chimney, interferring with airflow.  Also, because creosote is flammable, a buildup in the chimney could lead to a chimney fire. To prevent this, have your chimney cleaned by a professional regularly.  While there are tools available for the do-it-yourself type at most home improvement stores, a professional can get the job done quickly and also check for structural problems such as cracked masonry, warped joints (in metal chimney liners or stove pipes), and broken flue tiles.

Sources:

Creosote at Wikipedia.org
Fireplace Glossary
What's In Style: Fireplaces