A Guided Tour Of Your Chimney
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"But my furnace chimney looks fine on the outside."
Many chimneys venting gas or oil furnaces or hot water heaters may appear to be in fine condition on the outside. But inside it could be a completely different situation. Yesterday's chimneys were not designed for venting today's more energy efficient appliances. Let's take a close look at what really counts...the inside.
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Chimney Terms
Stainless Steel Chimney Liner
Stainless steel pipe, either rigid or flexible, made for relining flues of masonry chimneys when the original clay liner has cracked or broken. May also be used to create a lining in a masonry chimney that was made without a clay liner.
Chimney Caps
Protective coverings for chimneys usually made of aluminum, galvanized or stainless steel, or copper. Most chimney caps have a mesh screening that serves the dual purpose of spark arrestor and barrier against animals. Chimney caps also prevent rain from entering the flue of the chimney.
Top-Sealing Dampers
A device installed at the top of a chimney for the purpose of sealing the flue shut when the fireplace is not in use. They are often used as replacements for throat dampers that are installed just above the firebox when a masonry chimney is built. Lyemance and Lock-Top top-sealing dampers are as much as 90% more efficient than throat dampers because they provide a silicone rubber gasket seal rather than metal to metal.