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Fire
Guard
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Historically
when gaps between flue tiles (deteriorated or missing
mortar joints) were discovered, the only way to repair them was to
completely remove the flue tiles and replace them with a stainless
steel liner. Unfortunately, there was no way to reach down inside the
chimney and re-pack the missing mortar joints….until now!
FireGuard is the answer to re-packing mortar joints at a fraction of
the cost of re-lining with stainless steel!!
The
Problem
During
original construction, it is not uncommon for masons to
improperly align the flue liners or neglect to fill the joints between
the flue liners with the appropriate refractory
 mortar. As
stated in
The BOCA National Mechanical Code, M-1207.2.1 Fire-Clay flue liner:
“The fire-clay flue liner shall be installed ahead of
construction of the
chimney as the chimney is carried up and carefully
bedded one on the other in an approved medium-duty refractory mortar,
with close joints left smooth on the inside.” Even if the
mason filled the joint with mortar, it most likely was the same mortar
used to lay the brick, block or stone, which is not an approved
refractory. In fact, standard mortar has almost no refractory
properties. Standard mortar in the joints of flue liners cannot
withstand the adverse conditions present within a chimney environment.
The result of using standard mortar is rapid deterioration of the
joint, ultimately leaving dangerous openings between the flue liners.
 Why Are
Holes in the Mortar Joints Dangerous?
The results of these
improper practices are dangerous openings within the flue area. These
openings allow flammable creosote (by-products from wood combustion) to
build-up between the outside of the flue lining and the inside of the
chimney casing. Should these flammable deposits ignite, the heat and
quite possibly the flame could transmit to the dwelling. As recommended
by the National Fire Protection Agency 211 - Standard for Chimneys,
Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, “If the
flue liner in a chimney has softened, cracked or otherwise deteriorated
so that it no longer has the continued ability to contain the products
of combustion (i.e., heat, moisture, creosote, and flue gases), it
shall be either removed and replaced, repaired, or relined.”
In the past, relining was the only option . Now, you and your chimney
professional have a viable, safe alternative - FireGuard ceramic
sealant; it is the most cost effective product addressing dangerous
gaps between flue.
 
 
 
 
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The
Solution
The FireGuard ceramic
sealant is a high-duty, refractory mortar
specifically designed to correct open mortar joints, thus negating the
need to reline the flue. The 3,200 degree service temperature far
exceeds the requirements for residential chimneys. Applied by chimney
professionals, the unique FireGuard material forms solid, smooth, water
and acid resistant joints throughout the entire flue area. Once
properly installed, the new FireGuard joints prevent the passage of
flammable creosote through the joints, thus preventing the build-up of
flammable creosote outside the flue area. In addition, the new
FireGuard joints reduce heat transfer through the joints to the
interior wall against the dwelling. Under normal operation of a masonry
chimney, FireGuard is guaranteed not to loosen or dislodge from the
joint(s) for a period of twenty years (please see your chimney
professional for details).
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Relining
Masonry Chimneys
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But My
Chimney Looks Fine on the Outside.
Your
Chimney, like most chimneys probably appears to be in fine
condition on the outside. But let’s take a close look at what
really counts in safe chimney operation…the inside.
When
we look at the interior of some chimneys we sometimes find a
number of potentially hazardous conditions. In some cases, there are
holes in the mortar joints between the flue tiles. In other instances,
the flue tiles themselves are cracked or whole sections of the liner
have collapsed. Even seemingly harmless small cracks can expand into
very large cracks under high heat conditions! Some exceptionally old
chimneys don’t have a clay flue liner at all! In all these
cases, the chimney is no longer suitable for continued use until
repairs have been made. Continuing to use a chimney with any of these
potentially hazardous conditions could lead to loss of property or
life.
It
happened thousands of times last year – chimney defects
resulted in home fires. It doesn’t take much to start a home
fire…a spark flitting through a crack in the chimney wall
into the attic…an ember igniting a chimney fire which then
climbs the full height of the chimney “looking” for
an opening in the chimney wall…or simply excessive heat
transferred through chimney walls when the clay flue tile liner is
damaged or missing. In addition to concerns with safety, a damaged or
missing liner can also allow acid laden creosote to literally eat a
chimney from the inside out! If creosote is allowed to get outside of
the clay tile liner and adhere itself to the inside surfaces of the
chimney’s brickwork, the mortar holding the brickwork can
disintegrate, necessitating extensive masonry repairs on the brickwork
itself.
Carbon
Monoxide (CO) poisoning can also be a very real concern when a
damaged chimney is used. The damaged clay flue tile liner can allow
deadly CO to escape the chimney and infiltrate into the
home’s interior. Sightless, colorless, and odorless, it
claims many lives each winter in heating appliance related accidents. |
It’s
what’s inside that counts!
As
you can see, a chimney which looks fine on the outside can sometimes
be a potential hazard to your family and your home. If it has been
determined that your chimney has holes or cracks in the liner, do not
continue to use it until proper repairs have been made.
The Solution for Chimneys with
Damaged Flue Tile Liners
Re-Lining
a masonry chimney with a damaged clay flue tile liner is a
very involved process with many steps. Because the slightest oversight
could be disastrous, it is recommended that only qualified and licensed
companies who specialize in repairs of this nature be allowed to
undergo such a repair. In order to further educate you, we have taken
the time to outline the steps taken during a typical relining repair.
- A hole is cut into the
backside of the smoke chamber area or the damper and back wall of the
firebox are removed.
- The chimney crown is removed
and the flue tiles are broken apart and removed one at a time while
leaving the outside chimney structure intact.
- A properly sized and fully
insulated stainless steel liner is installed into the chimney (inserted
either from the top down or from the bottom up).
- The bottom of the new
stainless steel liner is seamlessly joined to the existing system by
parging the smoke chamber with Chamber Tech 2000.
- A new flue tile is installed
at the very top of the chimney (for aesthetic purposes) and a new crown
is poured using Crown Saver fiber reinforced waterproof cement mix.
- A rear access door is
installed or the back wall of the firebox is partially re-built.
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