Chimney Fire Safety: The Importance of Chimney Waterproofing

Understanding chimney fire safety when owning a fireplace could save your family and home from a disastrous event. There are several reasons why a chimney fire may occur, like creosote buildup or a blockage in the flue. These factors put your family at risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Performing preventative measures such as waterproofing could reduce your risk of experiencing a fire. 

Waterproofing can be an overlooked area in fire safety. When you waterproof your chimney, you are preventing water from penetrating the masonry, reducing the risks of structural damage, rust, fire, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Understanding the importance of waterproofing and chimney fire safety will ensure a safe home, free of potential hazards from the fireplace or chimney. 

Chimneys and Fire Safety

Chimneys play a crucial role in removing smoke from the home when lighting your fireplace. When a fire is lit, the hot air will rise through the chimney, drawing smoke and gases out of the house. The chimney will also pull fresh air in to fuel the fire more, making the burn more efficient. With a safe and inspected chimney, you will reduce your risk of inhaling poisonous gases as well as potential fire hazards. 

Without proper maintenance and inspection, chimneys become a major source of fire risk. Chimney fires are one of the leading causes of thousands of fires each year. This could be from creosote buildup, a blockage, or other hazards. When performing regular maintenance and chimney fire safety, you are safeguarding your home from a dangerous hazard. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that your chimney to ensure the safety of your home.  

Chimney Fire Safety: Waterproofing

When a chimney is exposed to the elements, especially water, it can lead to structural damage and safety risks. 

• Rusting: Chimneys have metal materials like the damper, flue liner, and chimney cap. These parts are more prone to rust when exposed to water. A rusted chimney can lead to poor ventilation, creating a fire hazard. 
• Creosote Buildup: Creosote comes from the wood after it is burned inside the fireplace. It is a highly flammable substance and, over time, can build up inside the chimney flue and create a serious fire hazard. When moisture enters the chimney, it wets the creosote, causing it to adhere more to the walls. Once creosote is mixed with water, it is much more difficult to remove, which increases the likelihood of a fire occurring. 
• Mold: Water and moisture in the chimney will also allow mold to occur. This becomes a health risk and can lead to structural damage. 
• Mortar and Masonry Breakdown: Most chimneys are made out of masonry, a material that absorbs water over time. Once the water is absorbed into the mortar, it can cause the material to break and weaken. When winter arrives, the water now trapped in the mortar freezes and expands. This will lead to the deterioration of the chimney’s structure.

By waterproofing your chimney, you are reducing fire hazards, carbon monoxide leaks, and health hazards for your home and family. 

Waterproofing a Chimney

When it comes to waterproofing your chimney, it is important to contact a professional to ensure the job is done right. Waterproofing is used as a preventive measure in chimney fire safety to reduce the future risks of hazards. A professional chimney sweep knows the ins and outs of chimneys and can detect damage or other issues more thoroughly. There are a few ways to make your chimney waterproof, like using sealant and applying a chimney cap:

• Sealant: Using chimney-specific waterproof sealant is important. The mortar and masonry materials used for chimneys are porous and absorb moisture. By using sealant, the masonry will have a layer protecting it from the outside elements, like rain and snow. Before sealant is applied, a thorough inspection is needed to see if there is any severe damage in the chimney and fireplace. 
• Chimney Cap: While a chimney cap can’t waterproof the whole chimney, it reduces the amount of rain and water going inside the chimney. It is important to use a chimney cap when waterproofing your chimney. 

While it may seem like an easy task, working on a chimney without professional help can be extremely dangerous. Seeking professional help from a certified chimney sweeper will ensure your chimney is waterproofed properly. 

While chimney fires are a leading cause of home fires, you can take preventative steps to reduce the risk of one occurring in your home. Waterproofing is one of the best preventive measures you can take when following chimney fire safety. 

• Reducing Creosote and Moisture: As mentioned before, creosote is a highly flammable material, especially when it builds up over time. When moisture is mixed in with creosote, it becomes sticky and adheres to the sides of the fireplace and chimney more easily. When the creosote is sticky like this, it is difficult to maintain and get rid of. By waterproofing your chimney, you are reducing your risk of creosote buildup tremendously. By keeping out rain and snow, the creosote will stay dry and be easier to clean, reducing the risk of a fire occurring.

• Structural Damage: When the structure of the chimney and the surrounding area is weakened by water damage, the heat and gas from the fireplace can get trapped and lead to a dangerous increase in temperature. This is a serious fire hazard and can be prevented by waterproofing. Waterproofing will help maintain the chimney’s integrity, protect the masonry from water damage, and reduce the risk of heat and gas buildup.

Chimney Fire Safety with Valley Chimney

Hiring a professional chimney sweeper to inspect and waterproof your chimney will give you some peace of mind in knowing your home is safe from any hazards that come with owning a fireplace. Contact Valley Chimney today to book an appointment! Our team values the safety of the community home and will ensure a high-quality job.