Fireplace Firebrick Heat Reflector Shields

Today we want to explain what Fireplace Firebrick Heat Reflector Shields are and what they do.

Over time, with use, your firebox rear firewall will crack, pit, fireplace mortar joints begin to fail & recede, and firebricks start to loosen up as a result of direct combustion heat expansion & contraction exposure and/or water intrusion. If not repaired and/or protected, fire worthiness & integrity compromise will soon occur causing the need for fireplace chimney repairs.

Advantages of the heat reflector shield:

    20-40% more heat radiated into your home.
    Prevent expensive fireplace chimney repairs to fireplace mortar & firebricks.
    Preserve & maintain remaining & restored fire worthiness of fireplace mortar & firebricks.
    Covers soot stained rear firewalls improving overall fireplace appearance.

Crack, pit, fireplace mortar joints begin to fail - In an unprotected fireplace, heat is absorbed into the firebox back wall which causes the firebricks to crack and the fireplace mortar that holds the firebricks together to breakdown, leading to expensive fireplace chimney repairs.

Direct combustion heat expansion & contraction exposure - when burning a fire, the fire requires oxygen to burn.  So it draws air in from the room.  As the air is drawn into the firebox, it pushes the heat and flame towards the rear firebricks of your firebox. This causes an immense amount of expansion of the firewall. Then, as the fire dies out, your firebricks begin to contract (cool).  This process is repeated every time you use your fireplace.
   
Water intrusion - your rear firewall will also crack as a result of water leaks coming down from the top of the fireplace chimney.  Firewalls & firebrick are very porous as they are intended to withstand the very high temperatures of combustion.  This means that they are very absorbent of water. Water saturation combined with direct combustion exposure is a recipe for a very fast progressive rate of fire worthiness and integrity breakdown. Superior Chimney's heat shield will protect & aid in fireplace chimney repair prevention.

Worthiness & integrity compromise - If your firewall is beyond repair and preservation, it must be replaced or rebuilt. The heat reflective shield is a recommended install after fireplace chimney repair or reconstruction of the firebox to aid in prevention of fire worthiness & integrity loss re-occurrence.

Superior Chimney's heat shield protects the rear firebricks and fireplace mortar of your firebox from needing fireplace chimney repairs. It prevents direct combustion heat expansion & contraction exposure, which greatly minimizes expansion & contraction of firewall firebricks and fireplace mortar. Furthermore it helps to preserve & maintain remaining & restored integrity.  Your back firewall will no longer absorb all of the heat because the heat reflective shield will radiate the heat back into your home, where it should be!

A fireplace with Superior Chimney's heat reflector shield protecting it; the back wall of the fireplace is exposed to 1/3 less heat.  The heat is radiated into the room where it should be and damage to the fireplace mortar and firebricks is significantly reduced or stopped! You'll feel the difference!

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

Common Question: Why Do I Need to Have My Chimney Cleaned?

Chimney sweeps are for integrity purposes, cleaning, and obstruction free assurance. Creosote, also known as soot, is a natural byproduct of burning wood. As the smoke goes up your fireplace chimney, creosote clings to the inner walls of your chimney. Creosote is highly flammable and causes chimney fires. An annually chimney sweep with inspection helps to provide safe continuous use as recommended by Code 211 of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

Chimney and Fireplace Smoke Problems and Solutions

Have you ever noticed that your fireplace has dark soot stains above where you burn your fire? Does your home ever fill with smoke or smell like smoke while the fireplace is in use? If so, you may have a chimney and fireplace smoke problem. Not to worry, we can help!

There are many reasons that fireplaces smoke. Below is a list of the most common reasons.

• The damper is fully open.
• The firewood is green or wet from rain or snow.
• The chimney is dirty.
• The chimney isn’t tall enough.
• The flue isn’t large enough for the fireplace opening.
• The chimney is on an outside wall of the house.
• The home can be too tight or too loose!
• There’s also a chance there were design problems when the fireplace was built.

Call Superior Chimney Services Corp. today, so one of our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps can assess your chimney and its termination environment to pin point the cause(s) of your fireplace smoke back up and prescribe the resolution!

How to Prep Your Fireplace for the Cold Season

Fall has arrived, and you know what that means – chilly weather! Now is the time of year to start prepping your fireplace for the cold season. Read the tips below to learn about the best ways to prep your fireplace for the season!

• Call Superior Chimney Services, Corp. so that we can sweep & inspect your chimney. When we sweep your chimney we remove creosote and soot that has built up over the past year.
• Be sure the damper opens and closes sufficiently & efficiently.
• Are there cracks in the fire mortar of the brickwork in your fireplace? If so, have the cracks repaired immediately! If you don’t, a fire could occur.
• Make sure raccoons, squirrels, birds or bats and other small animals haven’t made a home in your chimney! If they have, make sure the animals are removed, and have a chimney cap installed to keep more animals from inhabiting your chimney.
• Be sure to have plenty of wood stocked up for the winter months. Don’t worry about having too much because you can always save it for summer campouts, or for next winter.

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

Resources: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-prepare-your-fireplace-or-woodstove-for-win.html

Why Do Chimneys Emit Fireplace Smell over the Summer?

During the summer have you ever noticed a smoky or almost campfire type smell in your home? If so, don’t fret, this isn’t unusual and can be prevented!

Fireplace smells come from creosote deposits in your chimney, a natural byproduct of burning wood. Chimney odors are usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high, on rainy days, and/or when the air conditioner is running. A good chimney sweep may help minimize your fireplace smell, but will not solve your problem.

Creosote absorbs into the porous masonry construction inside your chimney, embedding the fireplace smell beyond the masonry's surface (much like the walls of your firebox stain black with use). A chimney sweep will remove the surface buildup of creosote to prevent an ignition (chimney fire), but the chimney odors remain absorbed into the masonry surface causing fireplace smells.

The real problem is air coming down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems. As air moves down through your chimney, it brings the inner fireplace smells & chimney odors along with it. It is likely that your chimney is just the victim of a negative pressure problem.

Some causes of pressure change & fireplace smells entry are:

• Inefficient damper closures.
• New furnace, boiler, and/or water heater.
• New windows and/or doors.
• Home additions.
• A change in your roofing ventilation (attic fan).
• Stove range exhaust fans.
• Dryer vent exhausts.
• A neighboring structure's height increase.
• When you burn upstairs do you get chimney smoke or fireplace smells downstairs?

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX so that we can assess your chimney and its environment to find the cause(s) of your fireplace smell and prescribe the resolution.