Chimney flues deal with extreme temperatures on a regular basis. All this heat can have negative effects on chimney liners, particularly those made from clay tiles.
Over time, your chimney liner may begin to break, split or fall apart. When this happens, big problems are on the way. In many cases, the solution is a chimney flue repaired or relined with the HeatShield chimney resurfacing method.
American Chimney & Fireplace, serving greater Louisville, KY, and all of Jefferson County, KY, since 2007, would like to tell you a little about HeatShield and what it can do for your chimney and your home.
The Purpose of Your Chimney Liner
Chimney liners are in place to provide a smooth cylinder for the drafting of smoke and combustion gases. They’re built strong to keep flames, intense heat and gases from escaping.
Over the years, chimney liners made from terracotta clay tiles can begin to break down. When our certified chimney inspectors look at a tile liner, we’re looking for:
- Tiles that are loose, cracked, eroded or missing
- Large gaps between the tiles
- Deteriorated sections of mortar
These and other compromises could theoretically be repaired with more tiles and mortar, but the smartest option is usually HeatShield.
How HeatShield Flue Sealant Works
The very best way to address a damaged clay tile liner is with HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant. When we do this application, we’re not “rebuilding” the liner; rather, we’re literally adding a new liner over the old one. This eliminates the hazards and draft problems caused by a defective liner.
HeatShield can be used to fill in gaps between joints in cases where only minor damage exists. For more extensive damage, it resurfaces the entire flue.
Mortar Joint Repair
To repair mortar joints, we use a specialized foam blade that pushes the HeatShield compound into joint gaps. The result is gaps that are completely filled and smooth to the touch.
Complete Flue Resurfacing
For total resurfacing, we put a plug at the bottom of the flue, pour in the sealant, and then use a winch to drag the plug upward, evenly applying the coating to all areas of the flue surface.
We then add a ceramic insulation sleeve, followed by another coating of the HeatShield mixture.
Whether we do joint repair or complete resurfacing, we use video cameras to closely inspect our work when finished to ensure that everything looks exactly as it should.
The Value of HeatShield Chimney Relining
A repaired or resurfaced chimney flue will bring you several important benefits:
- Reduced chance of flames escaping and damaging the chimney structure
- Less chance of a house fire
- Deadly carbon monoxide contained and prevented from moving into your home
- A smooth channel to move smoke efficiently up the chimney
- More peace of mind for you, knowing that your chimney is safer and working right
Schedule a Chimney Inspection
Have you noticed pieces of the clay tile liner in your firebox? Is your chimney not drafting well? Are you dealing with smoke backups? Are your carbon monoxide monitors going off? In all these cases, the cause may be a damaged chimney liner.
Let our licensed chimney inspectors take a look and rule out other causes that could be responsible for the above problems. If the liner is the issue, we’ll repair or resurface it with the proven HeatShield system.
Call Your Louisville KY Chimney Liner Experts
Speak with a chimney professional by phone, or get in touch by using our simple contact form. We’re a family-owned and family-operated chimney company that cares about your safety and comfort.
American Chimney & Fireplace serves Louisville, KY, Prospect, KY, Shelbyville, KY, Jeffersonville, IN, Taylorsville, KY, Hillview, KY, Shepherdsville, KY, and other local communities.
