Owning a fireplace is a lot of responsibility and requires regular maintenance on the part of the homeowner. It is important to know about the various parts of the chimney and recognize how they all work together to help things function efficiently. By staying educated on this, you can create the best possible atmosphere in your home and greatly reduce the risk of smoke or other debris backing up into your living room.

Study up on these basic chimney parts, so that you know how to use your fireplace properly. Knowing their functions will also guide you towards what parts may need to be addressed, should your system start malfunctioning.

  • Chimney Caps: This part of the chimney is a very important piece and works to protect it from potential damage. They keep rain, snow, and other types of harmful weather out of your chimney, thus decreasing the likelihood of accumulating rust and other types of debris that will lead to eventual deterioration. They also help in maintaining proper ventilation by keeping animals, leaves, and other debris from entering.
  • Flues: Fireplaces need consistent airflow to stay lit. The fumes they provide need to escape outside of the house, while new fresher air needs to come back in to help keep the fire going. Without a chimney’s ability to properly vent air, a homeowner’s family could be facing a lot of health issues, as well as find themselves constantly surrounded by a nasty smoky smell. Flues take that harmful smoke and pump it outdoors while venting clean air back in, thus helping the fireplace function efficiently, while keeping one’s home and family safe.
  • Damper: A damper is another part of the chimney that helps to control the draft. When it is working properly, it benefits the homeowner both when the chimney is in use and when it is not. When no fire is lit, a tightly closed damper will work to keep the cold outside air from entering, thus ensuring the house is sealed and the energy bills are low. When a fireplace is in use, a damper works to push harmful toxins out and helps in keeping things properly ventilated.

These are just a few of the many parts that make up a chimney and help it to function correctly. All of these contribute to draft flow and ventilation, which is a very important piece in ensuring that everything is running properly. If any of these parts are broken or functioning incorrectly, they should be fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

Making sure that everything is in proper working condition before starting any fires is important in ensuring the safety of your home and family. Contact SirVent Chimney and Venting Service today and schedule an appointment. We will come to inspect your chimney and make assessments as to whether or not repairs are needed. Now is the prime time for addressing masonry work, so do not hesitate in giving us a call.

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