Sound chimney flues restored in Coytown

Flue size for an open fireplace

Open fireplaces need a flue large enough for the size of the fireplace opening. The Florida residential code sets fireplace flue sizing in Section R1003.15, and BIA Technical Note 19B treats flue area and chimney height as the two most critical factors in how a chimney performs.

A repair should not quietly shrink a fireplace flue below what the opening needs. When a proposed method would reduce the inside area, we say so and explain how that might affect draft, before you choose it.

The first fires after a flue repair

Keep the first fires small and watch how the fireplace draws. Smoke that spills into the room, unusual smells or new debris on the hearth are worth reporting.

Repairs usually settle in without trouble. If you notice anything unexpected, put the fire out safely, note what you saw and call us. We compare it against the repair record and look again. Burn dry wood in those first fires and keep them to a size the fireplace handles comfortably. The repair record lists anything specific to the product we used, including how long to keep fires small.

Carbon monoxide alarms as a backstop

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor of the house and outside the bedrooms, battery powered or battery backed, and says alarms linked together work best.

Alarms do not replace a sound flue, but they are a sensible backstop in any home with a fuel-burning appliance. If an alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call for help first, then call us about the chimney. Test alarms on the schedule the maker gives and replace them when they reach the end of their service life, which is usually printed on the unit.

What decides the size of a flue repair

No two flue repairs are the same size. The scope depends on the findings, and each factor is spelled out in the estimate.

We explain each factor that applies to your chimney and how it shapes the recommendation.

• How many sections are damaged and where
• How tall the chimney is and how it is reached
• Whether the flue has offsets
• The product or material the repair needs
• Cleaning and preparation before the repair
• Related work at the crown, cap or smoke chamber