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Originally contributed by Jeff Butler
Jeff's experience designing content solutions lead him to be one of our first contributors. He helped draft Makey's blueprint and is one of the best explainers of technical details we know.
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Whether you’ve purchased a home with an older masonry chimney or you’re planning on including a modern chimney as a design feature in a new build, there are a couple of things you should consider, such as: “What’s a chimney sweep?” and “How often should I clean my chimney flue?”
Definition
The term chimney most commonly refers to a vertical ventilation structure that connects an interior heating source, such as a fireplace, furnace, boiler, or wood stove, to the exterior of a house or building. The space inside of a chimney is called the chimney flue and is used in combination with dampers to control airflow. Traditionally, masonry chimneys were prominent structures, featured typically up the sides and on the rooftops of houses and buildings. The use of traditional chimneys has declined as many modern heating appliances can be vented directly out of a wall or rooftop with a discrete vent pipe.
The Pros And Cons Of A Traditional Masonry Chimney
Masonry fireplaces and chimneys pretty much go hand in hand and are typically considered an idyllic form of heat. However, it’s not all chestnuts and marshmallows as masonry chimneys can require a bit of maintenance and repair over time:
- From the inside, the warmth of a masonry fireplace with a stack of well seasoned wood burning away is second to none. From the outside, a well crafted masonry chimney can make a bold structural statement.
- Masonry chimney repair and cleaning can require a bit of work. Although, some of the work can make for a skilled DIY project, it might also be a good idea to hire a chimney sweep or a professional chimney repair service.