Chimney Services
Our chase specialists at work in Kolokee
Chase repairs confirmed in the 72 hours after your free inspection are 10% off.
Insulation in the chase
It can be tempting to stuff insulation into a chase to stop drafts. Chimney makers are strict about it. The DuraTech manual allows only specified non-combustible insulation, only where its instructions describe, says fiberglass insulation is not approved, and says non-combustible insulation is not approved at the chase top.
We follow the manual for the chimney you have. If we find insulation packed against the pipe or in the required air space, we remove it and show you why before we close the chase.
A chase that leans or pulls away
A chase that tilts, separates from the house wall or shows a widening gap at its corners has usually lost strength at its base or its connections. Wind on a tall chase makes that worse over time. Cracked trim, torn flashing and sealant stretched across a widening joint often come with that movement.
We check how the chase is supported and tied back, find the failed framing and rebuild it to stand plumb. If the chimney pipe inside has been pulled out of line, we assess it separately against its maker's instructions.
Using the fireplace before the chase is repaired
A wet chase does not always make a fireplace unsafe, but some findings do. Damaged pipe sections, missing firestop parts or combustible material packed into the required air space are reasons to stop using the fireplace until they are corrected. Stains on the siding alone are a repair question, while problems at the pipe or its clearances are a safety question.
At the inspection you hear plainly whether the fireplace can be used in the meantime. When the repair is complete, we explain what was corrected and any remaining restrictions.
What we check on a chase
A chase inspection covers the chase top and storm collar, the termination cap, the siding or stucco on every face, the trim and corners, the flashing at the roof, any cricket and signs of water inside the house near the fireplace.
The findings come in plain words, along with our view of how far the chase will need opening and a written price for each part of the repair. The inspection is free, and nothing starts until you approve it.
