What To Know About Chimney Venting

Most people don’t give a lot of thought to their chimneys, until something goes wrong. Even less thought goes into the venting physics that allow chimneys to do their jobs. Chimney venting is a critical part of a chimney’s operation, and there are a few things you should know about this function.

Ye Olde Brit Chimney Sweep of San Bernardino, CA, would like to share a little about chimney venting and why it’s so important for the safety and performance of your chimney.

How a chimney vents

Without getting overly technical, chimneys work by drawing smoke and combustion gases up into them when a fire is burning in the fireplace. Within the chimney structure is the flue, usually a lined system, that is the actual conduit for smoke and gases. For a chimney to vent properly, several conditions must be met.

1. The flue must be the right size, and the chimney must be the right height.
2. The air inside the flue must not be overly cold, because cold air is heavier than warm air and can impede venting.
3. The house must allow for sufficient airflow to the firebox. (If the house is too airtight, this may not happen.)
4. The flue passage must be clean and free of obstruction-causing materials, such as outside debris and built-up creosote and soot.
5. The fireplace damper must be fully open.

Why your chimney needs to be well-ventilated

A chimney that vents properly is safer, more efficient and more economical to operate than one with drafting issues. Here are some of the benefits of a well-ventilated chimney:

• Proper venting creates less moisture buildup in the chimney, reducing the risk of water damage to the chimney system.
• You’ll burn fuel more efficiently and use less of it when drafting is smooth.
• Fewer odors spreading from the chimney into the home.
• Greatly reduced chance of suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas is invisible and odorless but potentially harmful to the health of people and pets.
• Longer life for your chimney as the result of minimizing acidic creosote in your chimney flue.

Have your chimney’s venting checked with an inspection

The best way to know the condition of your chimney’s venting system is to have the chimney inspected. Annual inspections will determine if repairs, cleaning or alterations are needed in order to allow the chimney to vent correctly.

If it’s been more than a year since your last chimney inspection, or if you’ve recently moved into a new home with an active chimney, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Your inspector will make sure the chimney is the correct size for your type of fireplace. He or she will also recommend cleaning or repairs if either of those services is necessary.

Many chimney inspectors also perform chimney sweeping and repair work. Qualified chimney companies are intricately familiar with state and local codes and know how to comply with them.

Keep your chimney safe and healthy

Ye Olde Brit serves Southern California residents throughout the greater San Bernardino region.

We provide a complete menu of chimney services designed to keep your chimney working right.

If it’s time to have your chimney looked at, speak with one of our experts by calling (909) 880-2120. You can also reach out through our easy contact form.