Smoke chamber repair for fireplaces in Lauderdale West
Parging, shelf repair or a rebuild, explained in plain terms with the reasons in front of you.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Reasons to have the chamber in Lauderdale West assessed
- Dark staining above the fireplace opening
- Heavy deposits on the chamber ledges
- Cracks across the smoke shelf surface
- Chamber questions after a chimney fire
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Smoke chamber work and the rules behind it
Hairline crazing on a cured chamber coat
After a parged chamber cures and is used, fine surface cracks or crazing may appear. The maker of one chamber coating says small surface cracks of that kind are of no functional concern.
That is different from wide cracks, loose sections or gaps opening at the flue. If you see those, stop using the fireplace and tell us. Note where the crack is and when you first saw it, which helps us judge whether it is changing. We explain what we see and whether it falls under our workmanship warranty.
Building the chamber coating up in layers
Chamber mortar is not brushed on like paint. One system is applied in layers, placed firmly against the prepared surface by hand or trowel so it grips the masonry. Thicker areas are built up gradually to fill steps and hollows.
Layering lets the coating reach an even slope without sagging. It also means a stepped chamber can take far more material than one with a smooth original surface. We explain where the coating will be thickest and why, and the estimate reflects the amount of material your chamber needs.
Rust flakes gathered on the smoke shelf
Flakes of rust on the smoke shelf usually come from metal above or beside it. A corroding damper plate, a rusted steel support or a failing cap at the top can each shed them. The shelf simply collects what falls.
We note where the rust appears to come from and clear it with the rest of the shelf debris. Rust from a support angle is a structural question, and rust from the damper or cap belongs to those components. Each is explained and priced separately from the chamber surface.
Deciding on chamber work at your own pace
After the free inspection you have the findings and a written estimate. There is no need to decide on the spot. Read the lines, ask questions and compare them with anything you have been told before about the chamber.
A 10% discount applies to the chamber lines you choose, provided you sign them off inside 72 hours of your free inspection. If you need longer than that, take it. Keep the fireplace out of use while you decide if material has been falling from above the damper.
Your free inspection of the smoke chamber
- Coating built up in layers
- Written record of the chamber work
- Damper work priced as a separate line
- Cap recommendation noted where missing
Chamber and shelf questions and answers
What material do you use to parge a smoke chamber?
A refractory product made for smoke chambers, chosen after the assessment. The building code asks for refractory mortar on the chamber's inner surface. The estimate names the product, and its instructions govern preparation, application and curing.
Is there a discount on chamber work after the free inspection?
Yes. Chamber work you approve within 72 hours of your own free inspection is 10% off. The estimate shows the figure before you decide, and nothing is scheduled until you agree to it.
Can I look at my smoke chamber myself?
With the fireplace cold, you can shine a light up past the open damper without reaching in. Please do not pull at loose material. It can bring more down, and the pieces may be sharp or coated in deposits.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo