The heart of a chimney system is the flue. This is the vertical passageway that conducts smoke and products of combustion safely outside the home. Most fireplace flues are constructed using clay tiles and/or stainless steel flue liners.
Some common flue issues include:
- Deteriorated clay tiles and mortar joints
- Cracks from thermal shock of a chimney fire
- Water intrusion and decay
- Buildup of combustible deposits in the flue
The fire code recommends having your chimney system swept and inspected annually by a certified chimney sweep to ensure safety.