Worried that your chimney might soon fall apart bit by bit? Call Coopertown Services and we’ll replace those worn down chimney parts in a jiffy.
One of the things Coopertown Services does most often for our customers—outside of chimney inspections and sweepings—is updating and replacing parts on chimneys, fireplaces, and stoves around the Memphis, Tennessee, area. When it comes to replacement parts, we are most often asked to replace one of the four following things:
- Chimney liners
- Chimney caps
- Dampers
- Flashing
We won’t immediately suggest a replacement part if we think that your existing part can be repaired, as we are also happy to take on repairs. An inspection by one of our Chimney Institute of America certified technicians will allow us to determine whether a replacement part is needed. Below you’ll find information about the four parts we most often replace and why they commonly need to be replaced.
Replacement Chimney Liners
Chimneys didn’t used to be lined. But when tests by the National Bureau of Standards over the past 50 years proved how very dangerous unlined chimneys are, most fire codes began to mandate that all chimneys be lined. The job of a liner is first and foremost to protect your chimney from catching fire, when in turn protects your home from catching fire. Even when a chimney fire does break out, a liner in good condition will be able to contain the fire within the chimney.
Though there are three types of liners—clay tiles, metal, and cast-in place—we typically recommend stainless steel liners because they’re versatile, durable, and can also help resize your chimney flue for improved draft, if necessary. According to the C.S.I.A., “Stainless steel is suitable for woodburning, gas, or oil applications … It is usually required that high temperature insulation be used in conjunction with the liners for safety and performance considerations.” If you’re interested in having your chimney flue relined, reach out to us today. In addition to all-new liners, we offer HeatShield Flue Liner Repair, which depending on the extent of the damage to your liner, may enable us to restore your existing liner at a minimum cost.
Replacement Chimney Caps
It’s imperative to have a chimney cap in great condition, as chimney caps do the important job of keeping rainwater, debris, and animals out of your chimney—thereby extending the life of your chimney and keeping fire hazards out. We have a wealth of information about chimney caps on our website, as well as a photo gallery of our available caps in both factory and custom sizes, in a variety of finishes and styles, and for single and multi-flu chimneys. We find that our customers generally enjoy selecting a chimney cap because it’s one of the more “fun” chimney purchases because it can enhance the exterior look of your home.
Replacement Chimney Dampers
Chimneys used to be equipped with throat dampers (located just above the firebox), but now modern chimneys use top-sealing dampers (located at the very top of the chimney) in lieu of throat dampers. For that reason, the majority of the chimney part replacements we do involve removing outdated throat dampers and replacing them with top-sealing dampers. These state-of-the-art dampers will protect your home against the elements as well as dramatically improving your home’s energy efficiency. Dampers are designed to be opened by the homeowner when a fire is lit and closed when the fire has completely died. Equipped with a silicone gasket, top-sealing dampers are very effective at saving homeowners money and protecting chimneys. Find our more about chimney dampers here.
Replacement Chimney Flashing
Chimney flashing, which is the metal banding that joins the chimney at the roofline to make it watertight, is prone to rust and show wear and tear over the years. This can lead to chimney leaks, which can cause damage not only to your chimney but to the surrounding areas of your home as well. If your chimney flashing is rusting or gaping, it’s likely because it wasn’t installed by a professional or because the wrong material was used. We will be able to custom fit flashing to help waterproof and protect your chimney and make it last for years to come.
If you live in or around Memphis and suspect that your chimney needs some repair work, schedule a chimney inspection with Coopertown Services today. Reach us at 901-358-7777.