Chimney flashing is often confused with creosote and flashings. Unfortunately, the two situations are very different. Flashings are actually the product of the combustion process in a wood burning stove. Creosote is what you have when a log burns. It is actually a byproduct of the burning process.
Chimney fluting or chimney flashing is usually the product of the combustion process. The actual process that produces this product isn’t as important as it used to be. It used to be that the coals were manually burned, leading to the coals burning hotter and longer. As a result, creosote and carbon monoxide became a problem. A chimney flashing was necessary to prevent this dangerous byproduct from becoming a safety hazard.
What to look for in a chimney flashing professional… Today there are many qualified chimney flashing professionals available. Unfortunately, it wasn’t always so easy to find a chimney flashing professional. When there were only a few companies that routinely installed chimney liners and flues, you had to travel a long way to get an inspection.
These days, your search is as simple as typing “chimney flashing New York” into any search engine. You will receive hundreds of hits on websites that you can visit for more information about chimney flashing, along with chimney inspections in New York. In addition to the many chimney flossing services that are located within New York, you can also find chimney painting services and chimney flue maintenance service providers.
What do you need to be familiar with when you call the experts? There are many types of chimney flashing and flues. These include copper, steel, iron, stainless steel, aluminum and tin. Of these, the most used are tin and steel. Tin is the most flexible type of material, while steel can be expensive.
Another thing that you may not know is that chimney liners come in various types, each offering different protection. For example, stainless steel chimney liners are great at preventing smoke from entering the house through the chimney and also are great at protecting the interior of the home. Aluminum chimney flues can be purchased easily, but are not rust-resistant. Copper chimney flashing is the most expensive, but also offers the best protection from smoke and water damage.
In addition to chimney flashing, you will also need to identify any leaks that you may have found. The first thing to look for is creosote buildup. This is a brownish-black color that is usually found after the mortar has been mixed and ready to go. Creosote tends to appear on older masonry chimneys and is a sign of water damage. It does not, however, cause leaks.
It is a good idea to inspect your chimney flashing regularly. Leaks in chimney flashing can cause moisture to enter your house, which can create damage to the interior. A chimney flue is usually made out of copper and must be sealed or replaced periodically. It is important that you repair any cracks in the chimney flashing as soon as possible, so that water and smoke don’t get the opportunity to get inside and start damaging your home.
What is the best way to repair chimney flashing if it has developed a leak? Most people choose to use flashing repair material, such as steel wool. This will stop the water from entering the chimney at the bottom and will also keep out smoke and fumes. When selecting flashings repair material, however, it is important to make sure they are rust resistant.
Other methods of stopping water or smoke from getting into a chimney include using counter flashing and metal flashing. Counter flashing is simply a small piece of metal that runs from end to end along the chimney flue, stopping leaks before they reach the house. It is usually very tough and durable, making it very effective at stopping water or smoke from entering your home. This is especially important in older homes or when a lot of care is taken with the chimney painting.
Metal chimney flashing is also popular. It is a bit stronger than counter flashing, although the durability is not as high. This type of chimney flashing can either be purchased in kits or in individual pieces that can be bolted together. If you choose to have the flashings installed yourself, you can either purchase the flashing to match the existing units or purchase the parts separately and cut to the right length to fit. Installation of this type of flashings usually takes only a few hours to complete, compared to the several days it may take to replace damaged units. The only downside to metal chimney flashing is that it may corrode over time.
No matter what type of chimney and flue you have, whether it needs simple repair or roof installation, the best thing to do before hiring anyone to do work on your house is to get a basic roof inspection done. This inspection will tell you if the chimney and flue need any repairs and if they should be immediately replaced. It will also let you know how much the total cost of the project will be. This is the best way to find a good contractor who charges fair rates.
