ASK AN EXPERT, DON ARMSTRONG ANSWERS YOUR Q's

Before beginning we need to clarify a few sources of information.
____ - ____NFPA stands for National Fire Protection Association
____ -____ NFPA 31 is the Standard for the installation of Oil-Burning Equipment
____ - ____NFPA 54 is the National Fuel Gas Code
____ -____ CSIA  stands for Chimney Safety Institute of America
____ -____ NFPA 211 is the Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances

Q - What is a flue?  
A - NFPA 211, the standards that most local Building Codes are formed from, states in section 3.3.82 Flue:  The general term for a
__ passage through which gases are conveyed from the combustion chamber to the outer air.
__ That’s the “technical” answer!  Simply put, it’s that hole in the center of your chimney, whether the chimney is metal, brick or block
__ that vents the fumes, exhaust gases or smoke from your boiler, furnace, water heater, wood stove or whatever heating appliance
__ that is hooked to that chimney.

Q - How do I know if I have a flue in my chimney?
A - That’s a common question. The simple answer is, if you have a chimney, you have a flue!  What most people are really asking is
__ “how do I know if my chimney has a liner or not?”.  You see, most older chimneys have no liner, or if it has a clay or “tile” liner they
__ can become eroded over time.  The “liner” protects the interior of your chimney, from the exhaust fumes escaping into your home.
__ Personal Note:  Many people call regarding their fireplace, usually saying the “flue” doesn’t work.  What is really meant is in a
__ fireplace, there is sometimes a damper above the opening that is missing or doesn’t open.  The actual flue is above that.

Q - What’s the difference between a liner and an insulated chimney?
A - An insulated chimney is actually a “manufactured” chimney.  These come in different forms.  Sometimes, such as in a manufactured
__ fireplace, sometimes called a zero clearance fireplace, these are usually a double or triple wall chimney.  This only means there’s 2
__ or 3 pipes, with air spaces between.  “Insulated chimneys” usually have an inside stainless steel pipe, a layer of insulation, then an
__ outside pipe of either stainless steel or galvanized metal.
__ A liner on the other hand can be clay or “terra cotta”, aluminum or stainless steel.  A “liner” uses an exterior shell, usually of some
__ form of masonry to support it, and provide protection to combustible surroundings.

Q - How come sometimes when I try to start a fire it smokes back at me?
A - Without getting extremely technical regarding atmospheric pressure and draft, simply put, when a chimney or vent hasn’t been used
__ the air is usually coming down the flue. Once the air is warmed in the fireplace or stove the draft begins, or reverses pulling the
__ smoke up the chimney.  Usually just lighting a piece of newspaper first near the bottom of the flue will accomplish this.  We have
__ some Customers that use a small propane torch to heat the air in their stove to start the draft up the flue first.

Q - What is the purpose for a cat?
A - A “cat” or Catalytic combustor was and is still being used in some stoves.  Just as on your car the catalytic combustor heats the
__ “exhaust” or smoke from your stove, and burns the combustible fuel still in the smoke at a higher temperature.  This reclaims a little
__ more of the heat available from the smoke.  There’s usually one way the stove vents into the flue to get the fire started, then once the
__ smoke gets up to a certain temperature, say 500 degrees, a baffle is engaged, causing the smoke to go through the “cat” creating a
__ cleaner burning stove.  Most newer stoves have gotten a cleaner burn without the use of the “cat”.

Q - Does waterproofing seal my chimney?
A - The products we use do NOT “seal” your chimney.  Masonry, which many chimneys are built of, whether from a foggy damp night or
__ rain, absorb moisture.  The waterproofing products we use allow the masonry to “breathe” the way it needs to, while repelling rain
__ water and moisture.

Q - How do I know when my chimney is falling apart? How often should I clean my stove, fireplace or chimney?
A -  NFPA recommends inspecting chimneys or flues annually, cleaning if needed.  This is the “safest” way to approach this question.
__ When you consider that a chimney is usually venting noxious or hazardous fumes, it’s a good idea to be sure it’s working properly.
__ In the case of a wood stove or fireplace there could be creosote buildup, creating the possibility of a chimney fire. Once we’ve
__ inspected your chimney and installation, and understand your use habits we can recommend a maintenance schedule that works
__ for your type of use.

Q - Why do clean you clean from the bottom up?
A - We usually clean fireplaces from the bottom up.  This is because of the amount of soot or creosote we may be dealing with.  We use
__ drop cloths and a special vacuum to control the dust usually created, however on occasion a large amount of soot may be
__ dislodged.  By cleaning from the bottom, alongside our vacuum we can go faster or slower as needed to protect your home.
__ Sometimes, from the bottom is the safest place to clean from, depending upon the chimney or roof configuration.  We decide once
__ we’re at your home, during our preliminary inspection, the best way to clean your specific chimney.

Q - Why do you need to know what style my house is?
A - We usually as what home style you have so we can be properly prepared to take care of everything on our first trip.  Though we
__ have our trucks very well equipped, sometimes we may need an extra ladder or piece of equipment not usually carried on our truck.
__ Also, your home style helps us budget enough time on your site.  It takes longer to setup and take down 2 ladders for a center
__ chimney colonial home with a 12/12 pitch, than it does for a ranch style home with a 5/12 pitch.

Q - How do I know what size Wood Stove to put in my house?
A - We offer a free estimate for most work.  We would be glad to come out to your home and recommend a stove, whether wood or
__ pellet that fits your use style, along with any venting or chimney needs that may be required.