The majority of fireplaces are designed in two ways; with a chimney and without one. For wood burning fireplaces this is used as a way to ventilate the smoke from the fire outside so that it does not fill the house. Fireplace that have been converted due to interior damage to the chimney will simply use it as an accent piece. In both instances it is important to use a chimney fireplace design that works well with the mantle, surround, and hearth.
Masonry Chimney
This is the most popular and well built chimney design that you can use. It is a more traditional design that functions well and helps to add a certain appeal to your home. These can be made using brick, stone, or concrete block. While this is the more expensive choice it is one of the best because you will have the satisfaction in knowing it will last for many years with the proper care.
Factory Designed Chimney
This chimney design is made using metal combined with several other random materials. These are designed and produced by factories and then assembled at the house. The most common of these is the air cooled chimney. This is built with two or more layer of metal that has air in between each layer. The function of this is to dissipate the heat being made by the fire.
The double wall chimney is another popular factory design that is made with two distinct layers of metal that have insulation in between them. While factory chimney design are more affordable and have more options available to the user they do not have the classic look that we often crave in a fireplace.
Chimney Cleaning
In order to keep your chimney in working order you need to do what is necessary to keep it clean. Having a filthy chimney for too long can damage it and make your fireplace unusable or it can create a chimney fire. You can either hire a professional who will come out and clean it every few months or you can purchase the tools that are needed to do it yourself.
For the job you are going to need a chimney brush that will fit the size of your chimney and rope. To clean it you will need two people. One will be on the top of the rook and the other will be in front of the fireplace opening. This is a messy way to clean the fireplace so make sure you lay down tarp around the furniture and floor before you begin.
- Attach a rope to each end of the brush and drop one of them down through the chimney to the person at the end.
- To clean the fireplace both need to be pulling to rope up and down inside of the flue. Don’t pull too hard or the person will let go of the rope – but don’t pull so softly that no grime or dirt is coming off.
- Use a flashlight to look through the chimney to make sure it has been thoroughly cleaned.