Because of their size and beauty, or because of location restoring Historic homes has become the trend. These home must not only be cosmetically restored but also functionally restored to meet current health and safty codes. As part of the process of upgrading the home's heating system, Chimney Restoration allows for homeowners to use their fireplaces in a safe & practical manner again.

In historic homes, the burning of high-temperature heating appliances such as wood and coal can cause difficulties. Many homeowners & historic societies concider Chimney Restoration to be an important part of a Historic Restoration

Chimneys deteriorate from the inside out because of condensation. In historical homes, the mortar has a high lime content; therefore, when it gets wet, it resoftens due to moisture. Eventually, the moisture will deteriorate the mortar, allowing heat and gases to enter the structure.

Ninety percent of historic homes have wood in direct contact with the chimney.  When wood is new, it has a flash point of 414 degrees F. Subjecting it to heat dries the moisture out of the wood, lowering the flash point to as little as 200 degrees F. This process is known as pyrolysis.

After a chimney fire, people often look down a clay tile liner and see only hairline cracks, so they then assume that it's safe to continue using the chimney. What they don't take into consideration is that, once the flue gas temperatures rise, those hairline cracks can expand as much as one quarter inch, allowing creosote to leak out behind the liner.

If a chimney fire occurs after this, the situation would be the same as having a chimney fire in an unlined chimney, resulting in a structure fire and endangering the safety of everyone in your household. In a research project conducted by the Housing and Home Finance Agency, it was noted that tile flue liners will crack when temperatures reach 1400-1700 degrees F. Chimney fire temperatures can reach as high as 1900-2000 degrees F.

Another hazard involving tile flue liners is that they have a tendency to shift, thus leaving an opening between the liners, which allows creosote to leak out. Very often we have found a large build-up of creosote behind the flue liner. If you should have a chimney fire, then the fire will spread from the flue liner into the casing.

There is a great need for consumer education on the topic of chimney problems and proper solutions.  Have your chimney cleaned once a year, and do not let any possible damage go unattended.

Call or e-mail us if you have a question. With over 45 years of combined experience, our corporate office personnel will be able to accurately advise you as to your best course of action. Don't take chances with your family's safety!