Chimney Doctors' Homeowner's Guide
Improper Smoke Chamber Smoke Turbulence in your Fireplace Chimney
The National Fire Protection and Wisconsin Administrative Codes are as follows:
- "Smoke chambers lined with firebrick must be at least 6 inches thick if not 8 inches thick"
- "Smoke chamber height shall not be greater than the inside width of the fireplace opening"
- "Smoke chamber depth shall not be greater than the depth of the fireplace fire chamber"
- "Inner surfaces of the smoke chamber shall be smooth and not inclined more than 45° from vertical"
(Note: Corbelling is not permitted unless covered with appropriate material)
Chimney Flue
A chimney flue is a chamber through which smoke, hot gases, and other byproducts of combustion are vented. The chimney is the upright structure which surrounds the flue and provides heat insulation to reduce the risk of fire, and it is possible for a single chimney to have multiple flues, as may be the case when a home has several stoves or fireplaces which are linked to the same chimney. Chimney flues come in a range of styles and sizes, and they require regular maintenance and inspection for safety.
Common Problems
- Inability to determine thickness of walls or clearance of combustibles creates difficulties in creating the correct size chamber.
- Uneven interior surfaces cause air turbulance and decrease flow capacity.
- Holes, gaps and cracks lead to areas of creosote buildup.
- Oversized chambers can lead to hard-to-start fires, problems with smoke, more creosote build-up in the smoke chamber and are harder to clean.
Solutions and Benefits
Smoktite is a new highly insulated ceramic product sprayed onto to smoke chambers
- Seals holes and gaps; creates a durable coating to acids, vapors, water, and temperatures up to 30000P
- Smoothes smoke chamber without removing damper frame or any brickwork
- Improves operation of fireplace, increases safety
- Material sticks to any masonry
- Easy to clean
- Easier, faster, and much more cost effective that other method
- Reduce air turbulence and improve flow capacity of the fireplace
- Often corrects mild smoke problems and odors
- Reduce creosote formation by keeping smoke warmer
- Can be built up to any thickness
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Chimney Doctors provides chimney and fireplace services to the following Southeastern Milwaukee & Southcentral Madison Wisconsin Communities:
Ashippun, Bayview, Big Bend, Brookfield, Butler, Cambridge, Cedarburg, Colgate, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Cudahy, Deerfield,
De Forest, Delafield, Dousman, Eagle, Elm Grove, Fitchburg, Franklin, Genessee Depot, Germantown, Grafton, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Hartford, Hartland, Hubertus, Ixonia, Jackson, Lannon, Madison, Marshall, McFarland, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Merton, Middleton, Milwaukee, Monona, Mukwonago, Muskego, Nashotah, Neosho, New Berlin, North Lake, North Prairie, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Okauchee, Oregon, Pewaukee, Port Washington, Richfield, Rubicon, Saukville, Saint Francis, Shorewood, Slinger, South Milwaukee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Sussex, Thiensville, Verona, Wales, Waukesha, Waunakee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, West Bend, and Windsor. Full Zip Code List