Another common cause is the spark arrestor coming clogged up with soot after extended periods of use. The spark arrester is a metal screen, which is normally part of the chimney cap. The small holes allow smoke and hot gasses to pass through but stop large sparks or embers from passing through. If the system has not been swept for some time these small holes can become closed off by the soot build up. Rather than climbing up on the roof and hitting the spark arrester a few times with a hammer or the like there is another quick fix. Follow these simple steps:
Grab some aluminum foil and some tape. Be sure the tape you use will not damage the finish on the facing of your fireplace.
Using the aluminum foil, close off the top 6-inches of the fireplace by stretching it across the top of the firebox opening.
Tape the aluminum in place with the tape.
This should help the fire draft until the fire burns itself out.
Many homes in the Los Angeles area are nearing the century mark. They survived large and small earthquakes. Why? Because they were well designed and expertly built. They have also been maintained and updated many times.
Home Owners have upgraded wiring; pulled up the shag carpet; and restored the wood floors. Many have added on a bathroom or two and expanded the square footage. These old beauties are a continuous work in progress.
Chimneys and fireplaces also need care and attention. Mortar wears away, cement at the top will crack, rain caps do wear out and dampers sometimes break. With regular maintenance and repairs they will last the life of the house.
How do you know what your chimney and fireplace needs? A Boston Brick & Stone certified Chimney inspection will alert you to any issues so you can incorporate our findings into your overall home maintenance plan and budget.
Boston Brick's owner, Dave Laverdiere, discusses various chimney and fireplace tips.