Repair Options
Flue problems we fix in Kolokee chimneys
Tile faces flaking away
Clay flue tile can spall, with thin flakes breaking off the inner face after moisture and repeated heating. The flakes collect on the smoke shelf or the damper and are often the first thing a homeowner notices. A spalled face is weaker and rougher, which also makes the flue harder to keep clean.
We tell you how widespread the spalling is and whether repair or relining makes more sense. Upfront pricing and a free inspection come with every Kolokee flue visit.
Replacing the top tile
The top flue tile is the one most exposed to weather. In the Brick Industry Association's chimney guidance, the flue liner rises no less than 2 inches above the cap, and the joint between the two is primed, backed and sealed. A cracked top tile or a failed seal there lets water straight into the chimney.
The top tile can sometimes be replaced on its own when the tiles below are sound. We confirm that first and price it clearly. In Kolokee, flue work booked within 72 hours of the inspection is 10% off.
Cleaning the flue before any repair
A repair can only bond to a clean surface. One resurfacing system's instructions require the flue to be thoroughly cleaned of tar-glazed creosote and soot before any coating goes on, using rotary equipment if sweeping alone will not remove it. Cleaning also reveals damage that deposits were hiding.
When the flue needs a sweep first, we include it as a separate line. Our chimney sweep and the repair can be booked together for your Kolokee home, with no hidden fees.
Keeping the flue big enough
Under section R1003.14 of the Florida code, a flue may not have less cross-sectional area than the connector of the appliance it serves. Any repair changes the inside surface a little, so a coating or a new liner has to leave the passage large enough for the appliance and, for a fireplace, for the size of the opening.
The flue is measured before a repair is recommended, and you hear if the result would be too tight. Our family-owned crew walks you through the numbers, free, for your Kolokee home.
Repairs to an existing metal liner
Some flues already have a metal liner inside the masonry. Damage there often shows at the top, where the liner meets the cap, or at the connection to the appliance. Code section R1003.11.1 recognizes listed lining systems complying with UL 1777, and repairs to one follow that system's instructions and parts.
We identify the liner, check its connections and explain whether a repair or a replacement section is needed. Book a free inspection in Kolokee with our local team.
