HeatShield Archives - Lords Chimney

Sealing Your Chimney With HeatShield: Why It’s Effective

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.

original infographic stating what can go wrong in an unlined chimney

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!

What is HeatShield® & How Does it Work?

There’s no denying the importance of having a well-functioning chimney liner. Chimney liners are known for protecting your home and masonry, as well as increasing fireplace efficiency – without them you’d be experiencing gas leaks, poor air flow, and even house fires. Needless to say, a well-fitted and properly installed liner is vital if you own a fireplace.

If you’ve been given the news that your liner is no longer safe for use, you may be feeling concerned about time restraints, labor costs, and the price of the new liner itself. Fortunately for many, there is a more affordable and seamless option out there – HeatShield®.

Will HeatShield® Work for Me?

The best way to know for sure if HeatShield® is an option for you is to have our CSIA-certified sweeps come out to perform an inspection. In these cases, a level 2 inspection will be needed, which means we’ll use our camera equipment to get an accurate and in-depth look at it all.

HeatShield® can pretty much be done on any brick and mortar chimney that is fitted with terra cotta flue tiles and isn’t gas tight. As long as your chimney isn’t completely destroyed (and is up to code as far as sizing, height, etc.), you should be able to fix it rather than invest in an entirely new system.

Whether you’re dealing with inefficiency or are concerned about potential damage after a chimney fire, lightning strike, flood, or other natural disaster, there’s a good chance we’ll be able to help you out, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

How Does HeatShield® work?

So, let’s say you’ve been told this option will work for you, but you’re still wanting to know what to expect. Well, there are actually two methods we can use to ensure your liner is gas tight from here on out – Joint Repair or the Resurfacing Application. Here’s what to expect from both:

Joint Repair: We’ll start by putting an applicator down into your flue, after which we’ll dump a special mortar-based sealant on top. After that we pull the applicator up and let it fill in all of those gaps and missing mortar joints, so that you’re left with a smooth, tight seal. We’ll end the job with a photo scan, so you can see for yourself how effective this method is!
Resurfacing System: If you’re experiencing cracks or spalling, then HeatShield®’s resurfacing will be the option for you. First, we get all that dust out of your flue, ensuring it is fully primed for the application of our HeatShield® products. Then, we apply a thick, quarter-inch of the mix, allowing your chimney to function efficiently from here on out with a restored, smooth, and totally resurfaced liner.

And again, we’ll send up our cameras for a closer look, so you can see the end results – we’re certain you won’t be disappointed!

More Facts About HeatShield®

What else is there to know about HeatShield®? Here are a few more things that reemphasize how reliable and sound this method is:

It comes with a 20-year warranty, so you won’t have to worry about experiencing issues a few years down the line. If it’s peace of mind you’re after, this is definitely one way to get it.
It’s environmentally friendly and made from recycled materials.
It has been widely tested and consistently proven effective.
It can withstand any corrosive gases your fires produce, as well as moisture and temperatures up to 2900°F.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) rated it a “Super-Duty” refractory mortar.
It’s approved for all fuel types.
Only carefully selected sweeps are given the opportunity to be HeatSheild® installers – and Lords Chimney has the only ones in the entire Houston area!

How Do I Know if My Liner Needs Work?

If you know you need professional relining services, then you’re now aware of some options we can offer you. But how do you figure out if relining or repair work is needed in the first place? Well one of the more obvious clues is if your fireplace just isn’t working right.

Holes throughout your structure will cause a lot of inefficiency and affect draft and airflow significantly. Smoke will work its way into your home, you’ll notice condensation issues, and your fires won’t burn as strongly.

Smell smoke in your home when lighting fires? This is another sign that your venting system has holes in it. Think of it like a straw that’s cracked or broken. As you attempt to drink your beverage, a lot of the liquid that comes up will simply spill back out through the holes – your chimney works this same way. If you smell smoke it’s because it has worked its way into your home.

But what’s the best way to know if professional care is needed? A level 2 camera inspection. Our high-tech equipment ensures every nook and cranny of your system is observed, so that you know exactly what you need to stay safer and more comfortable as you finish out your burning season.

We’ll look for any cracks, gaps, and damage, but we’ll also note whether or not there are random clean areas amongst your creosote. Essentially, your chimney should either be all clean or all dirty. If it’s mostly dirty with clean patches throughout, then it’s likely you have holes.

Our Award-Winning Team is Here for You

Lords Chimney has been recognized as one of the top chimney sweeps throughout the Houston area, and we’ve received a large number of positive reviews from satisfied customers. We value education, professionalism, and honesty, and we never skimp when it comes to offering exceptional care or top-of-the-line products.

If you’re looking for chimney care that will stand the test of time, then rely on our team today. We’re here for you!

Relining Your Chimney With HeatShield

Many homeowners pay little attention to their chimney flue. As it is not easily accessible or visible, most do not pay it a second thought. Because of this, many people are shocked to learn that their flue has been cracked or damaged. Likewise, the idea of having a chimney completely relined can seem daunting to many homeowners.

Having your chimney relined with HeatShield is an excellent way to restore the integrity of your chimney flue without the construction of a full flue replacement. Before you go through the time, cost, and mess of having your flue tiles removed and replaced, consider relining your chimney with HeatShield products!

What is HeatShield?

The average person has most likely never heard of HeatShield. Despite its relative lack of name recognition, it is one of the most innovative products for fireplaces and chimneys on the market today.

HeatShield is a specially formulated sealant that can withstand the high heat of the flue, preventing heat, sparks, embers, and dangerous gasses from entering the home. By coating the inside of the flue, HeatShield is able to eliminate the risks created by a cracked or damaged tile flue.

In addition to eliminating the need reline your chimney, our HeatShield products are environmentally friendly, made entirely of naturally-occurring and recycled materials. To give homeowners additional peace of mind, they also come with a 20 year limited warranty.

What HeatShield methods are available?

At Lord’s Chimney, we offer two HeatShield methods to homeowners. The first is the HeatShield joint repair system. This is ideal for homes that have tile lined flues with defective joints. Using a foam applicator that is custom fitted to your chimney, all gaps are filled with the HeatShield product and smoothed using a blade.

The HeatShield resurfacing method is ideal for homes with extensive cracking or spalling. A tie coat, or primer, is used first to remove any dust. After, a quarter-inch layer of HeatShield is applied to the entire length of the flue.

After applying either HeatShield method, a camera is used to verify that there are no remaining gaps or voids and that the chimney has been completely repaired and restored.

Benefits of a correctly lined chimney

Although it may not seem like much, a correctly installed and undamaged chimney liner can greatly impact chimney performance. The primary purpose of a chimney liner is to protect your chimney structure and the rest of your home from the extreme temperatures created by the fireplace. Likewise, chimney liners are also an essential part of stopping chimney fires from spreading to other parts of the home.

In addition, chimney liners prevent carbon monoxide and other harmful gasses from seeping back into the home. By containing and directing these byproducts of combustion out of the home, the chimney liner does more than just extend the life of your brick and mortar chimney. It also keeps your family safe!

If you have questions about how HeatShield products can be used to repair your damaged flue, contact Lord’s Chimney today!