Problems We Fix
Flue problems we fix in Bertha chimneys
After a chimney fire
A chimney fire can crack clay tiles and open joints, sometimes without anyone in the house noticing more than a loud roar or heavy smoke from the top. After any suspected chimney fire, the flue needs a thorough check before it is used again, even if the fireplace looks normal.
Tell us what happened and when, and keep the fireplace out of use. Our family-owned team gives the flue a careful look and explains what the fire left behind, starting with a free inspection in Bertha.
What a flue resurfacing system is
Resurfacing coats the inside of the existing flue with a heat-resistant material that fills joints and seals cracks. It is a specific, listed repair and quite different from ordinary mortar. One such system is listed to UL Subject 1777 and goes in with purpose-made applicators drawn up the flue, following its own instructions step by step.
When resurfacing fits your chimney, we name the system and explain what it will and will not do. Our local experts give homeowners in Bertha that answer free of charge.
Removing mortar that sticks into the flue
Lumps of mortar squeezed into the flue when the tiles were laid catch deposits and get in the way of a repair. Resurfacing instructions call for protruding mortar to be removed before any coating goes on. Brick Industry Association guidance has liner joints cut flush and smoothed on the inside for much the same reason.
Clearing them is part of preparing the flue, and it is priced on the estimate. Book a free flue inspection in Bertha and see the full scope before anything starts.
Rain inside the flue
A flue without a cap takes rain straight down its length. Water soaks into the joints, mixes with soot and lands on the damper and smoke shelf. Over time it can loosen the mortar between tiles and rust the metal parts below.
Stopping the water is part of any lasting flue repair. We check the cap on every flue visit in Bertha and quote chimney cap replacement separately when it is needed, so you see each cost on its own line.
Checking the flue after a severe storm
A severe storm can crack a chimney top, loosen the top tile or drive water down an uncapped flue. A lightning strike on or near the house can also damage a chimney in ways that are not visible from the ground. After a storm, look for fresh debris in the firebox before using the fireplace.
If you see debris or suspect damage, our local team will check the flue free in Bertha. Our storm damage chimney repair service covers anything beyond the flue.
