Smoke chamber repair specialists for Timber Springs homes

Slope limits for sloped and corbelled walls

The same section limits how far chamber walls may lean. With prefabricated chamber linings, or with walls that are rolled or sloped, the inside surface may tilt up to 45 degrees off plumb and no further. Corbelled walls may not step in more than 30 degrees from vertical.

A wall that leans too far can make smoke hang against it instead of rising. A thick refractory coat, built up where the wall is steepest, is one way to bring the slope back toward the limit. We explain whether your chamber is a candidate before recommending it.

The throat between firebox and chamber

Smoke leaves the firebox through the throat, a pinched opening that leads into the chamber. Section R1001.7 places the throat or damper at least 8 inches above the lintel over the fireplace opening.

Throat masonry takes direct heat and holds the damper in many fireplaces. Broken mortar, a displaced brick or an old patch at the throat can narrow the passage and give a new chamber coat a poor place to start. We repair the throat first when it needs it, then build the chamber finish above it.

Rust flakes and the damper above

Rust flakes on the firebox floor usually trace back to the damper plate or frame. Moisture reaching the chamber, whether from an open flue or humid air settling in a cold fireplace, can corrode the metal over time.

Rust on its own is a damper finding, but it affects the chamber too, since swelling rust can crack the mortar around the frame. We look at both, recommend what makes sense and keep the damper price apart from the chamber repair.

Flue and liner work kept separate

A chamber inspection often reveals something about the flue above it, such as cracked tiles, open joints or deposits. Those findings belong in the report, but flue repair and liner installation are separate services.

We describe what we saw in the flue, explain whether it needs attention soon or can be watched, and give it its own line when a repair is needed. Chamber work can go ahead on its own when the flue is sound enough to use.

Protecting the room before chamber work

Chamber repair brings soot, mortar dust and wet material close to your living space. Before any tool comes out, we lay covers from the entry to the hearth and seal the fireplace opening around our work area.

Furniture near the fireplace is moved or covered with your permission. At the end of each day, the covers come up clean and the room is ready to use, even while the chamber is still curing.

• Floor covered from entry to hearth
• Fireplace opening sealed around the work
• Room left usable at day's end