Does your chimney liner need some repair work? In our Houston market, especially, mortar joints tend to get worn away quickly, leading to products of combustion – like soot and sparks – escaping into areas of your home.
If this is the case for you, HeatShield may be the answer you’re looking for. HeatShield fills those holes and seals the flue, leaving your chimney with a hole at the bottom and a hole at the top with no holes in between – just like it should.
Questions? Give us a call or reach out online today – we’re here for you.
What Is HeatShield?
We tell customers to think of their chimneys like giant straws that pull smoke straight up and out of your home. If there are gaps or holes present, smoke will escape through this on its way up and out. If you’ve ever tried drinking through a straw with holes throughout it, then you know how inefficient it can be…your chimney is no different.
HeatShield is a specialized product designed to repair and restore the integrity of chimney flues by sealing gaps, cracks, and deteriorated mortar joints in masonry chimneys. It acts as a protective barrier, preventing dangerous gases, smoke, and sparks from escaping into the home, while also helping to improve the chimney’s overall efficiency.
What does HeatShield protect against?
- Exposure to harmful and poisonous chemicals
- Loss of heat production/system inefficiency
- Risk of chimney fires
What Are the Consequences of Using an Unsealed Chimney?
Check out these potential real-life scenarios for those who ignore chimney liner damage:
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A family of symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, includes headaches, dizziness, and nausea. The cause was traced back to a cracked and unsealed chimney liner that was allowing dangerous gases to leak into the home.
- Chimney Fires: A homeowner noticed a strong smell of smoke inside the house, which led to the discovery of a small chimney fire. The fire was caused by creosote buildup in an unsealed chimney that had not been properly maintained. The fire damaged the chimney structure and could have spread to the rest of the house.
- Water Damage: A homeowner experienced significant water damage in their living room after heavy rain. The source was found to be an unsealed chimney that allowed water to seep into the walls, leading to mold growth, staining, wood rot, and deterioration of the home’s structure.
- Structural Damage: A homeowner found cracks in their home’s foundation and walls. The underlying issue was traced back to an unsealed chimney that had allowed moisture to penetrate the bricks and mortar, causing them to weaken over time. This compromised the structural integrity of the home and required expensive repairs.
- Pest Infestation: A family dealing with a sudden infestation of birds and small animals discovered that their unsealed chimney was the entry point. The chimney had gaps and cracks that provided easy access for pests, leading to nests inside the chimney and unpleasant odors throughout the house.
How Do I Know if HeatShield Is Right for My Chimney?
That’s kind of the tricky part – unless told by a professional after performing a thorough inspection of your fireplace and chimney system, you wouldn’t. That’s one of the main reasons we suggest staying on top of your annual sweepings and inspections. Like so much else when it comes to chimney repairs, issues, and maintenance, it’s sometimes very hard to know what exactly you’re looking at…let alone discern what your options are for fixing or restoring it.
However, if you notice that you have a metal flue liner, you can be sure that HeatShield is not an option for you as their products only work in chimneys that are unlined or have a damaged clay tile liner.
Is HeatShield Relining a Good Long-Term Solution for Chimney Repair?
As long as you work with a certified, professional chimney service company who are applying HeatShield’s patented Cerfractory material, HeatShield is a wonderful investment for long-term chimney repairs. Because of the innovative blend of ceramic and refractory materials, HeatShield products restore your system to its optimum condition and efficiency and thus eliminate the dangers that a damaged flue liner poses by effectively sealing the cracks, gaps, and separations.
Reach Out to Lords Chimney Today
If you have questions for our team, don’t wait to reach out. We’re here and happy to have your back!