A damaged flue liner poses a serious fire risk, so we must watch out for any signs of such a problem. After using your fireplace and it’s safely done burning, shovel your fireplace ashes and dispose of them. These Are the 7 Chimney Fire Signs You Should Know About. Nothing you can safely do from home will compete with a professional chimney cleaning from CSIA-certified experts. CALL OR BOOK ONLINE. Fireplace residue can be dangerous to your health, and without the right tools, you won’t be able to clean it thoroughly anyway. Top 11 Trending Fireplaces for Homes in 2019, The History and Legends of Chimney Sweeps, How to Operate and Maintain a Gas Fireplace, Here’s Why it’s Important to Maintain Your Wood-Burning Fireplace, Why Home Buyers (and Sellers) Love Fireplaces. The high heat of a chimney fire can also sometimes scorch away deposits in specific areas of the chimney. Summer Fireplace Maintenance Tips: Preparing Your Fireplace for the Cold Ahead, Excessively loud cracking or popping noises, An intense burning smell from your fireplace. This means t he flue has tiles that are partially broken or crumbled and smoke stained. Incomplete combustion is unavoidable, though you can minimize its impact by burning properly seasoned wood with a clean chimney. This is a chimney fire, and it can be very dangerous. Look and listen for signs of a chimney fire, such as: A rumbling or roaring noise that resembles a freight train or low flying airplane. When a chimney fire happens, the mortar joints or brick can crack and open new pathways for heat or fire. If you have glass doors, clean any immediately visible soot too. After any chimney fire, you will need to replace them. Creosote itself is also combustible at the right temperature. An active small or moderate chimney fire often gives you a few clues including: A strange clicking or tapping sound coming from the chimney/fireplace; Large amounts of dark, dense smoke exiting from either end of the system The Facts About Chimney Fires loud cracking and popping noise a lot of dense smoke, and an intense, hot smell Depending on the situation, you might need a few flue tiles replaced, a new liner system installed or an entire chimney rebuilt. When your chimney’s airflow is blocked or the flue is damaged, it can lead to poor airflow. Signs of a chimney fire. The main culprit of chimney fires is creosote. Is your chimney currently inoperable? Get a Quote for Cleaning, Repair, Replacement, or Rebuild. Every chimney fire is different. And never use your fireplace or stove as an incinerator. Creosote Deposits – You may also find chunks of creosote on your roof following a chimney fire. Chimney fires also leave signs on your roof. The best strategy to adopt is having it inspected as frequently as possible. For now, let’s continue talking about the signs your chimney had a fire. The residue from incomplete combustion builds up over time and lines your flue with a substance known as creosote. Whatever form it may take, creosote is extremely combustible at higher temperatures. This build-up slows the smoke on its way out, allowing more time for it to cool and for the creosote to condense and deposit itself thus further restricting the flow. However, not all chimney fires are so obvious. Since a chimney (if damaged by a chimney fire) can also endanger a home and its’ occupants it is important to have your chimney regularly inspected by a Certified Chimney Sweep professional. The heat from a chimney fire is often greater than … There are three stages to combustion – drying, pyrolysis, and charcoal. Any damage greatly increases your risk of heat escaping the flue before it exits your home. Creosote forms when volatile gases are given off during the burning process that combine and condense on their way out of the chimney. Distorted or Discolored Rain Cap or Damper. Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to safely contain wood-fueled fires, while providing heat for a home. Any combustibles you burn in your chimney will only partially burn. If it’s a big fire, flames can leap several feet above the top of the chimney. If your chimney is back-puffing or if you notice smoke escaping in strange parts of your home, your flue isn’t working correctly. It’s important to pay attention to any active fire and make sure it doesn’t get out of control. When they’re damaged, they don’t work as effectively. Chimney fires, and subsequently chimneys, share certain common characteristics and can be counted on to behave within predictable parameters. 2. These cracks are difficult to notice, and can spell disaster if not repaired before you have another chimney fire. If you are feeling ill or would prefer to reschedule, please contact our office and we will work with you to push back your appointment. Fixing it could increase your homes value! Warped metal of the damper, metal smoke chamber connector pipe or factory-built metal chimney Avoid roaring fires by only adding enough fuel to keep the fire at the desired temperature. Signs of a chimney fire . Thin slices of chimney tile can begin to pile up at the bottom of the chimney, if … The Surefire Signs Of A Chimney Fire As a layman, you would not know that you have had a chimney fire, and you will need to call in an expert for inspection. Doctor Flue offers chimney services in Michigan and Ohio and can inspect your chimney and identify any potential risks. There are a few different signs to look out for: Direct Roof Damage – The heat from a chimney fire can scorch or warp your roof. Flames, sparks, … Signs of Chimney Fires. The first step is “drying”. 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