Bob’s Chimney
Chimney Smoke Chamber Repair in Boston by Experienced Professionals
The chimney relies on the smoke chamber to produce an efficient draft, safely removing toxic gases from your home. If your smoke chamber is not working like it should be, call us to schedule a repair.
Professional Smoke Chambers for All Kinds of Chimneys in Boston, MA
A good, consistent draft is what keeps your chimney safe and compliant. Without a proper venting mechanism, hot gases would come back into your space instead of being exhausted. This would increase the risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, jeopardizing your safety.
Ideally, all smoke chambers should be parged smoothly, but in older homes, they are usually constructed in a corbelled design, which increases the risk of chimney accidents. At Bob’s Chimney, we address this through chimney smoke chamber repair in Boston. We seal gaps in your smoke chamber and even out jagged edges to ensure safety and compliance. The result is simple: an efficiently working chimney that produces a good draft while keeping the surrounding walls safe as well.
Was your property constructed in the 80s period, and you’re stuck with a corbelled smoke chamber that causes smoke problems in your home? Call us to schedule smoke chamber parging services.
The Purpose of the Smoke Chamber in a Chimney System
The smoke chamber is an essential part of the chimney, located above the firebox and damper. It acts as a transitional zone that sends acidic byproducts and combustion gases from the firebox into the flue. By guiding these substances up the flue, it ensures that combustion byproducts are released safely from your property.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that improperly installed smoke chambers are one of the leading causes of chimney fires. A corbelled design creates turbulence in the draft, interrupting the natural flow of combustion gases through the flue. This turbulence eventually leads to a major safety risk, especially when creosote builds up to abnormal levels.
Should You Fix a Damaged Smoke Chamber Through DIY Methods?
A number of people attempt to repair damaged chimney smoke chambers on their own through DIY methods, but is that really the best way to go about it? Here’s a comparison to help you choose between DIY repair vs. Professional repair:
01
DIY Smoke Chamber Repair
- Most beginners lack the tools to access difficult parts of the chimney, including the smoke chamber.
- Most homeowners don’t have refractory mortar specifically designed to last in high-temperature environments.
- Even if DIY repairs work, they won’t be lasting solutions. In most cases, they may not comply with local regulations.
02
Professional Smoke Chamber Repair
- We have the training, tools, and expertise to handle both accessible and complex parts of your chimney.
- We have access to high-quality refractory mortar that doesn’t just seal gaps but keeps your smoke chamber durable.
- Professionals address the root cause of smoke chamber damage while ensuring your property meets building codes
Noticing water leakage problems from the fireplace opening? Call us to schedule your chimney smoke chamber repair in Boston.
Signs You Need Fireplace Smoke Chamber Repair Services
01
Backdrafting
Where do gases and smoke go when they don’t exit your space properly? Back to your home. This is a common sign of smoke chamber damage.
02
Smoky Smells
Water damage to the smoke chamber or any other part of the chimney creates musty, unpleasant smells and spreads them throughout your home.
03
Creosote Buildup
This is characterized by the formation of black, tar-like stains on the chimney walls. Creosote is inflammable and can cause fires if not removed.
04
Discolored Walls
When a smoke chamber is damaged, it can cause discoloration on nearby walls and ceilings as well. This mainly happens because of heat damage.
05
Performance Issues
If your fireplace or stove is struggling to keep a consistent fire, it may point towards dirt buildup or damage to your chimney’s smoke chamber.
06
Increased Bills
There are many causes for increased energy bills, but a damaged smoke chamber can be one of them. An inefficient chimney costs you more money.
Cost of Chimney Smoke Chamber Parging in Boston
The cost for parging a chimney smoke chamber varies depending on the chimney size and the level of accessibility. A larger chimney will undoubtedly cost more. If you need additional repairs for your chimney, like fixing a damaged flue, broken crown, or replacing a chimney cap, the cost would increase accordingly. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that investing in a functional chimney is not ‘splurging’ but an essential step towards maintaining your safety.
The Process for Our Professional Smoke Chamber Repairs
STEP 01
We conduct an inspection first. We check for evidence regarding heat transfer to surrounding walls, cracks in the smoke chamber walls, and jagged edges in the chamber’s structure.
STEP 02
We clean the chimney’s smoke chamber by thoroughly removing any soot, creosote, or excess moisture. This helps us prepare a clean surface so the repair materials can adhere properly.
STEP 03
We proceed with parging to smooth out uneven or sharp edges of the smoke chamber. We achieve this by applying refractory mortar developed specifically to bear high temperatures.
STEP 04
We perform a final inspection to verify if all the edges of the smoke chamber have been parged smoothly. We ensure complete compliance with fire safety codes set by IRC and NFPA.
Ready to change your corbelled smoke chamber to a smooth one? Call us to book our smoke chamber parging services!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a chimney smoke chamber be inspected?
It’s important to inspect the chimney and its components at least once a year. Annual inspections by a professional company like Bob’s Chimney ensure that your chimney is free from dangerous dirt buildup and optimized to exhaust gases efficiently.
How long does a chimney smoke chamber repair take?
In most cases, we complete chimney smoke repairs within a day, depending on how much damage there is to fix. If the smoke chamber needs to be thoroughly cleaned or there are additional components that need to be repaired, it may take longer.
Will a smoke chamber repair improve my fireplace’s performance?
Repairing a damaged smoke chamber has a great effect on the fireplace’s performance. This is because a well-functioning smoke chamber leads to a better draft, improving the efficiency of the fireplace.
If I don't use my fireplace regularly, do I still need to inspect the chamber?
Even if you don’t use your fireplace daily, it’s still important to inspect the chamber at least once a year. Doing so helps identify potential problems in your chimney before they can get worse.