Building A Chimney Flue

Although the building criteria must be met to satisfy the local building regulations this does not guarantee the chimney or flue will perform satisfactorily.

Building a chimney flue.

If clay or ceramic tiles are used to create the flue in a brick chimney they are laid as the exterior of the chimney is put up. As you d expect the requirements controlling new chimneys flues and appliances are safety based and very detailed. Calculate the flue dimensions and minimum height the sizes needed for your flue and the height of your chimney are relative to the open area of your fireplace. For a chimney to work well it requires a good flow of air and for the flue to maintain as high a temperature as possible so there are exacting building regulations about chimney design.

The flue connects the top of the smoke chamber to the roof through the middle of the chimney. Construct the flue and outside of chimney. Fitting altering or replacing an external flue or chimney or installing a new woodburning stove all fall under the building regulations although they are not typically tasks that require planning permission. Weighing up options generally speaking brick chimneys and open brick fireplaces are seen as less desirable options than slow combustion heaters and flues these days because they re far less efficient dirty and they emit a lot of particles into the air.

The chimney must be of an adequate height and free from turbulent air to draw properly for more information regarding these issues see the accompanying articles found on the fireplace co uk contents by theme index. The building code of australia contains certain recommendations about chimney and flue heights and their distances from other homes. Or through the wall of the chimney stack itself where the fabric is too thin or too porous to prevent penetrating rain from getting around the flashings. Concrete chimney blocks are 24 inches square with a hole at the center that is sized to fit a section of vertical ceramic flue tile.

Around defective flashings between the chimney and the roof. Lay the brinks on top of each other building up the chimney s walls on each side. There are three likely routes by which rain can enter the structure. Periodically use a level to make sure the brick wall is level both horizontally and vertically.

It s best to hire a professional to do the job for you but if you re determined to build your own chimney here are some basic things to consider. A chimney made of concrete blocks and ceramic flue tiles uses a special type of block that is sized and shaped differently than the 8 by 8 by 16 inch blocks found in concrete block walls. As you are building the outside of the chimney lay the flue tiles at the same time and use the mortar to seal them together. Adjust if needed before the mortar dries.