Repair & Restorations

+ Why does my chimney need to be lined?

A chimney liner is necessary for three primary reasons:

• It provides an appropriate sized chimney flue for optimum efficiency, which also reduces creosote buildup. Depending on the type of heating appliance you have—a oil furnace, wood or gas stove,etc.—you will need to have a correct-sized flue for your appliance to perform at its best and safest. Combustion products must safely escape your house while your chimney generates draft enough to supply the appliance.
• Liners safeguard your house from heat transfer to combustibles. It’s been shown that nearby woodwork caught fire in just three and a quarter hours in unlined chimneys. Liners protect chimneys from this risk of rapidly moving heat.
• It protects brick and mortar from creosote and other byproducts of combustion. When highly acidic flue gases are left to eat away at chimney brick and mortar joints, there’s a reduction in the chimney’s usable life. Weakened mortar joints also allow heat to transfer more quickly to combustibles, putting homeowners at increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

+ Reline with stainless steel liner

Though man has been using fire to heat and add charm to his abode for time immemorial, it’s taken centuries to figure out how to do so as safely and efficiently as possible. In the old days, chimneys would be built unlined, followed by a time beginning around 1900 during which clay tiles were often used to line chimneys. It was necessary to line all chimneys following National studies at separate times in the 1940’s and 1980’s which determined that unlined masonry chimneys are criminally unsafe. The advent of the chimney liner helped assist homeowners to enjoy their fireplaces and furnaces with less carbon monoxide poisoning, worry of fire, or troublesome problems like smoky or stinky living spaces. Flues of most masonry chimneys these days are either lined or have been relined using stainless steel liners.

+ What does a chimney liner do?

A chimney’s job is to contain the combustion products naturally generated during a fire and to direct these products outside of your home; a chimney liner helps a chimney perform that job far more easily. In fact, a liner serves all of the following purposes:

• In an unlined chimney, heat may transfer to adjacent woodwork, quickly posing a fire hazard, thus a liner protects your home from a chimney’s intense heat
• Liners protect masonry. Combustion byproducts can be very corrosive, wreaking havoc on chimney brick and mortar, which is already porous and susceptible to damage from acidic gases. A chimney with old fashioned masonry only will have a shorter lifespan but also can present greater risks of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Liners corrects flue sizing issues. So as to work efficiently and to prevent excessive creosote build-up and other problems, a stove or furnace must be equipped with the proper-sized flue. If you see smoke inside your home or experience unpleasant smells, it may be that your flue is not the right size. By adding a stainless steel liner to a flue that is too big, the correct flue size can be achieved.
• Considerations On Stainless Steel Liners

+ Considerations On Stainless Steel Liners

Although we are passionate about how safe and durable stainless steel chimney liners are in oil, wood-burning, and gas applications, the truth is that your chimney may not require a stainless steel liner. If your chimney isn’t currently outfitted with a stainless steel liner, there may be other options for your system. A number of chimneys are still lined with clay tiles, which are affordable and can perform okay. However, please realize clay does not perform well at absorbing and distributing heat. Nor do clay tiles contain liquid combustion products common to gas appliances. Finally, in time, clay tiles will crack which presents a multitude of other risks. A separate option besides stainless steel is what’s called a “cast-in-place” liner, whereby a chimney is coated in a cement-like substance that reinforces it and protects it.

+ More Info

There are various good reasons to have your chimney flue lined. A chimney liner helps a chimney to do its job of protecting your chimney from the extreme heat generated by your heating appliance. The chimney liner also contains the byproducts of combustion and directs them safely outside your home. Moreover, chimney liners are great at containing chimney fires so that they don’t spread.

In addition, if your chimney does not have a liner then carbon monoxide can more easily enter your home. Liners protect chimneys from the corrosive byproducts of fire that weaken brick and mortar and penetrate it, allowing dangerous gases into your living area.

There are three main types of chimney liners—clay tiles, metal, and cast-in-place. Usually, older chimneys are outfitted with their original clay or terracotta liners, while new chimneys will usually always get a stainless steel liner. If your old terracotta liner has become cracked or broken, or if your chimney is missing tiles or mortar joints, ASAP Operators can provide the answer.

We can install a safe, durable stainless steel chimney liner with a lifetime warranty if your clay liner was damaged by a lightning strike or chimney fire.

+ What is a chimney crown?

Many people do not realize that modern chimneys actually have a number of components, both internally and externally, that exist to keep a chimney venting properly and protected from the elements and other threats. The chimney crown is often confused with a chimney top or a chase chase, which we also cover and are included in respective sub-pages of our website. A chimney crown is the mortar cap at the top of your chimney that protects it from critters, water and debris. A proper chimney crown needs to taper off at the edges so that water wicks away from your chimney and onto your roof.

+ What purpose does a chimney crown serve?

A Crown primarily keeps water out of your chimney. This is very important because water inside your chimney can ultimately be damaging to your home. Water causes brick and mortar to degrade, chimney parts to rust, water damage to floors, ceilings, attics, etc., and creates smells inside the chimney.

+ Repairing a chimney's crown.

If your chimney’s crown is in disrepair, it’s probably because the masonry has begun to crack. This can happen relatively easily and quickly, especially in Houston, with the strong sun and humidity. A cracked chimney crown can allow water to get in between masonry and flue tiles, where it damages already-porous brick, causing all sorts of problems. Water damage via the chimney is to blame for many very expensive and inconvenient home repairs.

+ CrownCoat your crown with protective material.

It may be that your crown doesn’t need to be rebuilt, but simply needs more protection from the elements. If so, our Certified Technicians can apply a professional waterproofing product known as CrownCoat. This eco-friendly product was designed specifically for use on Chimney Crowns and carries a 15 year warranty when applied by a professional.

+ What is a chase top?

A chase top or chase cover is a metal cover that acts much like a crown for pre-fabricated or manufactured fireplaces & chimney systems. Prefab fireplaces have been on the market for about 25 years and have been a huge hit with homeowners who like how affordable they can be and how easy they are to have installed. The majority of these factory-built fireplaces are made of metal, and all of them need to be outfitted with a metal chase top. They should never be outfitted with concrete crowns, as this leads the prefab pipe to rust and erode.

+ What is the purpose of a chase top?

Chase tops serve to keep water out of the chimney, but they also keep birds, and other critters out. Most birds prefer to nest in prefab chimneys relative to the masonry chimneys? The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) finds that chimney sweep Birds prefer nesting material inside a prefab chimney. This is undoubtedly a Fire hazard! The birds nests can impede the flow of air and cause the chimney to overheat.

+ Problems with rusty chase tops.

If you have a prefab fireplace with a rusty chase top, it needs to be replaced before it begins to leak. Chimney leaks can be extremely detrimental to your property—costing you thousands in repairs to drywall, floors, ceilings, attics, and wall coverings. This leaking normally originates where nail holes have begun to rust and erode. The longer you wait to have your rusty chase top repaired or replaced, the worse the problem could become and the bigger headache you could end up with. The chase tops SOS-ASAP Chimney Services installs today are made of galvanized metal and come with 10 year warranties when properly maintained. Many are shaped so that they create a roof effect that prevents water from pooling on top and becoming a breeding ground for rust. Our technicians also double caulk around our chase tops, taking care to prevent leaking for the life of your chase top and chimney. Also, if you have a prefab chimney, realize please that the annual inspection recommendation still applies just like with masonry chimneys. Prefab chimneys need inspections to determine fire hazards, efficiency issues, draft problems, and other safety concerns.

+ Why do I need a chimney cap?

A chimney cap serves to:

• Guard against flue blockage: Leaves or debris entering your chimney can cause flue blockage and lead to smoke damage, fire or even carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Eliminate moisture damage: Water entering your chimney erodes masonry and mortar joints and will cause your damper or firebox to rust out or decay. This creates a potential hazard and added expenses.
• Prevent rodent, critter or bird invasion: Chimney caps protect your chimney from nesting birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other disease-carrying animals.
• Protect against airborne sparks and embers: Our chimney caps have up to 18 gauge mesh that reduces the risk of fires caused by embers and sparks exiting your chimney flue.

+ Custom aesthetic chimney caps.

SOS-ASAP Operators provides decorative custom caps that are designed to match a variety of architectural styles and preferences. From magnificent multi-flue Caps to beautiful copper pieces, we can provide you with the right answer for your home. It really does not matter what type of chimney or style you prefer. We are here to assist you each step of the way.

+ More info

A chimney cap is installed atop a chimney to cover the opening of your chimney’s flue and/or chase. As there are lots of things you want to keep out of your chimney, there are also things that you want to keep inside your chimney. A chimney cap will stop large burning embers from escaping your chimney and landing on your roof [or near your house] which can lead to a fire. Caps will also keep water, animals, or debris from getting into the chimney. Rain is the primary enemy of your chimney. Not only does water cause a musty odor when it mixes with soot, it also creates an acid that breaks down mortar and causes chimney components to rust. Water also can drip on the throat damper—causing it to rust and warp. Brick and mortar are both porous materials weaken with continued exposure to water. So, the obvious and preferred way to keep your chimney from deteriorating over time, damaging your home, and requiring expensive repairs is to make sure that water stays out of it. Thus do yourself and your family’s large home investment a favor by Capping your Chimney!

+ Reasons that Chimneys Leak

There are several possible causes for water leakage including:

• Lack of a chimney cap. You may be inviting water damage and extra home repair bills without a chimney Cap.
• Masonry problems: Simply put, bricks and mortar are very vulnerable to the elements. However, because bricks and mortar are porous, cracks in the bricks or mortar can allow water to seep right into the chimney. This can cause aesthetic damage which require that you have bricks replaced. You may also find that this leaking has caused serious problems, and compromised the integrity of your chimney liner.
• Flashing problems: Flashing is the metal banding that wraps around the part of your chimney that meets with your roof. It’s supposed to keep a watertight seal at this critical joint. Flashing can become faulty for many reasons including poor installation or age. Rusty nail holes in the flashing, for example, can become places for water to gain entry.
• Cracks in the crown. Your chimney crown is the mortar cap at the very top of your chimney that protects it from water and other offenders. Chimney crowns are designed to wick water down and off of your chimney and onto your roof. A cracked crown may be doing just the opposite.

+ Possible Solutions For A Leaking Chimney

One of our ASAP Certified chimney technicians can find the best way to keep water out of your chimney moving forward. Our recommendation(s) could include:

• Repair or rebuild masonry
• Install cap or cover
• Repair or replace crown
• Waterproof porous bricks with a waterproofing solution
• Repair or rebuild flashing

+ More Info

If you live in the Houston area and you [or your roofer] think you might have a leaking chimney, call us. Not only do we have camera technology that can get a close look at any component of your chimney system, but we have a full understanding about what the common culprits are when it comes to leaking chimneys. Why not just use a roofer to repair your chimney? Just as we would never repair a roof, chimneys should not be left to roofers to repair. By trusting a Certified Chimney Technician to repair or replace your chimney’s leaking components, you will ensure that your chimney will remain waterproof for the long-term. This can save you a whole lot of hassle and headache, as well as a whopper of a home repair bill.

+ Signs of Water Problem Include:

• Rust streaks on your chimney cap or chase cover
• Water damaged walls or ceilings
• Firebox rust or decay
• Brick Discoloration
• Musty Smells
• Presence of Vegetation or Mold

Addressing leaks within the chimney system early on can protect you from the Rebuilds and/or expensive repairs that result from excessive and prolonged water damage.

+ Extend Chimney Life With Professional Waterproofing Services!

Constantly exposed to the elements, unprotected chimneys are susceptible to structural deterioration and discoloration. Because a leaky chimney can be very damaging and problematic, we recommend that our customers take preventative steps to keep water out of their chimney at all times. Indeed, it’s far better to make the nominal Investment of Professional Waterproofing now rather than pay the piper later [in a big way] due to water-damaged walls, ceilings, and floors. A simple way to ward off water issues is to have a water repellent professionally applied to the chimney exterior. SOS-ASAP Operators is pleased to use ChimneySaver, which is trusted in the chimney industry to keep water out for the long haul.

+ 5 Reasons For Chimney Waterproofing

1. Block water absorption in your brick and mortar
2. Allow your brick and mortar to “breathe” and release water vapors
3. Prevent damage that normally occurs following a freeze-thaw cycle
4. Protect your masonry from unsightly discoloration
5. Keep your brick and mortar from cracking, spalling, or gapping

+ About The ChimneySaver Waterproofer We Use

ASAP Operators prefers ChimneySaver to waterproof our customers’ chimneys. This is a breathable waterproofing substance that we spray on to the exterior of the chimney to stop leaks. It is a water repellent that penetrates masonry to protect it from destructive water penetration. ChimneySaver contains patented materials small enough to penetrate most masonry pores. These form strong bonds with the silica in masonry and concrete. Due to solid bonding with masonry, one application of ChimneySaver provides up to ten times the water repellent protection of typical sealers. It is 100% breathable and vapor permeable. It’s water repellent that penetrates and lines masonry pores. Unlike simple sealers, it successfully releases otherwise trapped water vapors and effectively reduces water absorption. This means water vapors escape which helps prevent deterioration, freeze-thaw damage, spalling, and any need for expensive masonry reconstruction.

+ What If My Chimney’s Already Leaking?

If your chimney is already leaking, you’ll need to have it repaired prior to the application of ChimneySaver. Signs that your chimney is leaking may include a distinctive smell, a dripping noise, rusty fireplace components, and rusty parts atop your chimney. Watermarks on the ceiling around your chimney are also a dead giveaway that rainwater has gotten inside of your chimney. We most commonly find that chimney leaks originate from rusting flashing or chimney caps, from cracked chimney crowns, or from deteriorated liners. Read more about chimney leak resolution on our page dedicated to the topic.

+ More Info

SOS-ASAP Operators Chimney Technicians are leak resolution professionals and can resolve the most difficult of water leaks. We’ve been fixing chimney leaks for years, and recognize all the signs and common issues. Unfortunately, many leaks go unnoticed by homeowners until it is too late and damage is already seen within the chimney system, the appliance or the home. For this reason among others, it’s so important to have your system annually inspected by a Certified Chimney Sweep, who can detect the early warning signs of water entry.