Outdoor Recreation - Fireplace Chimney
About Fireplace Chimney's
The Purpose of a Fireplace Chimney
Fireplace chimneys are an essential item of the actual fireplace structure itself. Their purpose is to provide a space for smoke, soot and heat to rise up rather than straight out of the fireplace opening. Fireplace chimneys serve their purpose immensely because hot air rises. The heat which is produced internally is generally generated out of the fireplace opening which provides the homeowners with warm and comfortable areas. The gases which are produced internally because of the combusted air are pushed up and released through the chimney which is why the fireplace chimney is so important. Smoke and Soot
Smoke and soot are two natural occurrences which a fireplace produces because of wood burning and fire burning, unless it is an electric powered fireplace. One initial benefit of a fireplace chimney is that the smoke and soot rises up and releases through the chimneys opening into mid air, depending on how high the chimney is built.
Smoke itself is a pest when you’re enjoying the warmth of your fireplace. In some cases where fireplaces are not fitted with chimneys especially wood burning, smoke will build up constantly and release itself through the fireplaces front opening making it smelly and uncomfortable for you and your family to be sitting around. This is why nowadays it is highly recommended that all outdoor fireplaces and indoor fireplaces are fitted with a chimney.
Soot is another common pest. It will also travel upwards through the chimney; therefore it gives the homeowner peace of mind knowing they will not have to constantly clean around the fireplace after each use. Soot generally gets caught in the chimney, therefore it must be cleaned to prevent blockages and reburning issues.
The Maintenance of a Fireplace Chimney
During a fireplace chimneys life it may become congested with soot, dust and grime therefore it will need to be cleaned out to ensure it lasts forever. This can easily be done by using a hose, bucket of warm soapy water and a household broom. Firstly you will need to hose down the chimney thoroughly to release any soot and dust which is stuck to the chimney itself.
High pressured hoses can be used for this process. Then you should dip the broom in the warm soapy water and begin scrubbing away continuously in an upwards motion making sure you reach all internal areas of the chimneys shaft.
Continue these steps until you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace chimney. Thoroughly rinse away all traces of soap and your chimney will be looking as good as new. This can be done every 3 months. If homeowners do not have the time to do so then they can hire professionals in their local area to do the job for them. Types of Fireplace Chimneys
The type of fireplace chimney will depend on the model and make of the actual fireplace. For example; if your fireplace is wood fired and built out of brick then the chimney should fit the same description and be built out of brick and standing tall to coincide with the fireplace whether it is large or small.
Fireplace chimneys are also used for decoration purposes especially to outdoor fireplaces. They will add a little pizzazz whilst still being elegant, charming, classy and most importantly functional. Many materials are available nowadays to produce chimneys. Here is a list of some:
- Brick/Pavers
- Concrete/Cement
- Stone/Natural Stone
- Highly Treated Timber
- Cast Iron/Wrought Iron
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminum
Each fireplace chimney material is designed to withstand high and harsh temperatures. They are all tried and tested several times to ensure the best safety of homeowners who choose to own and run a fireplace.
