Certified Chimneys offers comprehensive chimney and masonry services, including chimney repairs, chimney rebuilding, chimney flue relining, chimney cap installation, and brick chimney restoration. We also handle fireplace installation and repair, diagnose fireplace smoking problems, and perform masonry repairs. Our expertise extends to architectural stone repairs, brick repair and replacement, brick cutting and installation, and brick veneer problem resolution. Additional services include parapet wall repairs, masonry deterioration evaluations, NFPA 211 chimney inspections, tuck pointing, and waterproofing.

Regular chimney maintenance is essential for preventing water damage, masonry deterioration, chimney fires, carbon monoxide exposure, and expensive structural repairs. Annual inspections allow professionals to detect minor issues early, before they escalate into significant and costly problems.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) advises that all chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected once a year. Regardless of how frequently you use your fireplace, exposure to weather conditions and normal aging can lead to hidden damage that needs professional evaluation.

A chimney that looks perfectly sound from the outside can reveal serious problems upon closer inspection. Cracks, missing sections of the original clay liner, loose mortar, deteriorating bricks, and other signs of structural damage are often hidden from view. These concealed defects contribute to fires and carbon monoxide poisoning each year, leading to injuries and fatalities.

Most masonry chimneys are constructed with a basic mortar cap that is not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements. Over time, these caps can crack, chip, and deteriorate. A properly built chimney crown should be made from a Portland cement-based mixture and formed with an overhang extending at least two inches beyond all sides of the chimney to help shed water away from the structure. Additionally, the flue liner tile should project at least two inches above the crown to provide adequate protection and performance.

Whether a chimney vents a fireplace, wood stove, coal stove, pellet stove, or gas- or oil-fired appliance, the flue should be professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year. A chimney inspection is also recommended following any chimney fire. The extreme temperatures generated during a chimney fire can place significant stress on the flue liner and are a leading cause of cracked or damaged flue tiles.

A chimney liner serves as a protective barrier that contains the heat generated by flue gases within the chimney, helping to prevent nearby combustible materials—such as wall framing and structural components—from overheating and creating a fire hazard. The liner also helps keep carbon monoxide, smoke, moisture, creosote, and other combustion byproducts from penetrating the chimney's brick and mortar joints and entering the living space. In most masonry chimneys, this protective lining is typically made of clay tile.

Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas that has no color, odor, or taste, making it impossible to detect without proper equipment. It is produced during combustion when there is an insufficient supply of oxygen, such as in malfunctioning or poorly vented chimneys and stoves. Each year, unsafe chimney conditions contribute to carbon monoxide exposure incidents, resulting in serious health risks and, in some cases, fatalities.

A chimney professional will typically use a specialized video inspection system to conduct a thorough evaluation of the chimney’s interior. This technology allows for a detailed examination of the flue liner and can identify cracks in the clay tiles, including minor defects, as well as damage or deterioration in the mortar joints between the tiles.

Thousands of chimney-related incidents occur each year as a result of hidden damage within the flue system. Cracks in the flue liner can allow toxic carbon monoxide gas to escape into the home, posing serious health risks to occupants even at relatively low levels of exposure. Damaged flue liners also increase the risk of fire. Creosote, a highly flammable byproduct of combustion, can accumulate in cracks within clay tile liners. If ignited, a creosote fire can spread through these openings, causing excessive heat buildup within the chimney. In some cases, flames and heat can penetrate damaged mortar joints and ignite nearby combustible materials in the home. Cracked flue liners should never be ignored, as they represent a significant safety hazard.

The leading cause of chimney deterioration is acidic moisture created when flue gases condense inside the chimney. Over time, these acidic compounds can erode masonry materials from within, gradually weakening the structure. In addition to this internal damage, years of routine use, repeated heating and cooling cycles, and exposure to seasonal weather conditions all contribute to the wear and deterioration of chimney masonry.

The introduction of high-efficiency furnaces has helped homeowners reduce heating costs by extracting more heat from fuel than conventional systems. Because these furnaces transfer more heat into the home and less up the chimney, flue temperatures remain lower and the chimney often does not have the opportunity to dry out as it did with older heating equipment. When flue gas temperatures fall below approximately 120°F, condensation can begin to form inside the flue. Moisture buildup is a common byproduct of high-efficiency heating systems and is further increased by the combustion process itself. Burning fuel produces water vapor, and for every cubic foot of natural gas consumed, approximately two cubic feet of water vapor are generated. This moisture can condense within the chimney, creating conditions that accelerate deterioration. Traditional masonry chimneys lined with clay tile are often unable to withstand prolonged exposure to this excess moisture. For chimneys experiencing moisture-related deterioration, installing a stainless steel liner is widely considered one of the most effective and durable solutions.

A UL listing indicates that a product has been evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent, nonprofit organization that develops safety standards and conducts product testing across a wide range of industries. To earn a UL listing, a product must undergo extensive testing and meet rigorous safety and performance requirements. The UL mark provides consumers with confidence that the product has been independently assessed and deemed suitable and safe for its intended use.

The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) is a nationwide organization dedicated to advancing professionalism within the chimney industry, raising public awareness about chimney safety, and offering support and networking opportunities for chimney professionals across North America. Membership in the NCSG indicates that a chimney professional is committed to staying current with industry standards, ongoing training, and developments in chimney maintenance, repair, tools, and technologies.