About Chimneys
The thought of chimneys conjure up an image of Santa Clause stuffing himself down the brick formed structure. In addition to providing an entry way for Santa, chimneys also add character and charm to a house. Chimneys are also a part of the industrial skyline, filling the sky with billows of smoke from the furnaces and ovens of commercial warehouses and manufacturers. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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In Ancient Rome, chimneys were developed by using tubes to draw out smoke from the buildings that used a fireplace. Later, chimneys appeared in early industrial England, where smoke could be seen billowing from the rooftops of every building.
Significance
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Chimneys are designed to filter smoke from indoor fireplaces and ovens. Traditionally, chimneys have been made of brick due to the fact that brick is easy and inexpensive to make. Brick can also endure the heat of smoke and fire.
Chimneys extend from the building's rooftop to allow smoke to billow up into the air. Chimneys are commonly lined with a flue. A flue is simply a passageway for the smoke and is located on the inside of the chimney. -
Types
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There are two types of chimneys: masonry and factory built. Masonry chimneys are made of brick, concrete blocks or stone. Masonry chimneys are usualy lined with a flue. This makes the chimney easier to clean and and it improves the overall safety of the structure.
Factory built chimneys are commonly made of metal. Pre-fabricated metal chimneys are generally made of stainless steel and are insulated to improve the air circulation.
Considerations
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Before building the first fire in the fireplce each year, consider cleaning the soot from the chimney walls. Soot forms on the chimney walls after burning certain types of wood.
A chimney cleaning kit can be purchased at any hardware store, if you choose to do the job yourself. If you prefer to hire someone to do the job, enlist the help of a professional chimney sweeper.
Warning
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If your chimney is not cleaned properly each year, you are at risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes. Corroded chimneys can also lead to a chimney fire which can destroy your home or business.
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