Chimney flue repair from local pros in Tangelo Park

The joint between the crown and the flue tile

Section R1003.9.1 of the Florida residential code asks for a caulked bond break around any flue liners where they pass through the chimney cap, in accordance with ASTM C1283. The break lets the tile and the crown move separately as they heat, cool and get wet.

Where a crown was cast tight against the tile, that movement can crack the top section. We check this joint on every flue repair visit. If the crown is the cause, we tell you, and the crown work is written up on its own line.

A flue cannot be smaller than the connector

The Florida residential code sets a floor for flue size in Section R1003.14, stating that chimney flues shall not be smaller in area than the connector from the appliance they serve. A flue that is too small for its appliance struggles to carry the combustion products away.

Any repair that changes the inside of the flue, such as a coating or a new lining, has to keep that relationship in mind. We check the appliance connector and the flue size before proposing a method that adds material inside. Connectors that have been enlarged or reduced over the years deserve a second look for the same reason.

A flue that sat unused for years

Chimneys that go unused collect debris, nests and water, and nobody notices a cracked tile when no fire is ever lit. The first fire after a long break is when damage becomes a hazard.

Before relighting a fireplace that has been idle for years, have the flue checked. Our free inspection shows whether it needs cleaning, a repair or nothing at all, and you get the findings in writing either way. Nests, fallen leaves and water staining are the usual finds in a long-idle flue, and each one tells us something about the cap and crown as well as the tile.

What a flue repair estimate should list

A flue repair estimate should be specific enough to compare with another quote. Vague lines such as repair liner leave you unable to tell what is being fixed.

Ours list each item below. Book within 72 hours after the inspection and 10% off is printed right on the estimate.

• Sections of the flue included in the repair
• The method and the named product or material
• Cleaning and preparation before the repair
• Related work such as a cap, crown or cleanout cover
• Curing time and when the fireplace can be used
• Anything that could not be seen or confirmed