There are actually a number of parts to a chimney when diagrammed. Just like there are many parts to make up one “Car”, to the layman’s “chimney” there are actually different parts making up the whole entire structure.
Sad to say, but for the most part you can expect a masonry chimney to be constructed with some portions or sections done incorrectly. Why? Because unlike days of old in England where you had to be an apprentice for two years before you could conduct business on your own, there are no such guidelines in America. It is even worse when you compare an east coast chimney with a west coast constructed chimney. West coast boys do not understand snow, moisture intrusion into basements or brick chimneys. It could also be they mostly ignore chimney designs. You will never hear a contractor say that he studied the design of Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumored (Title he was given in Bavaria) who designed efficient brick and mortar fireplaces before the year 1800 while living in London. Working over 100 designs that he constructed, he got a fireplace pretty down pat to heat a room and not fill the house with smoke or burn down the house. You would think that with modern information available, someone would at least read about good designs. These plans that are over 200 years old and other modern designs appear to be outside the study of most masons attempting to build fireplaces when they should only attempt straight fencing or maybe only a two-brick tall flowerbed.
Brick/Masonry Flue and Throat
A number of European countries still maintain apprenticeship rules that require two years of working in an industry like masonry...
Chimney Living Space
Fireplaces have changed over the years. That doesn’t even include the several hundred or several thousand years we have been...
Chimney Structure and Exterior
There are a number of parts to a chimney/fireplace. This diagram by Tom Feiza, “Mr Fix-It” will help to familiarize...
Inside Fireplace – Firebox
Looking out for damaged bricks and mortar is relatively easy and also a standard repair for many chimney sweep companies....
Metal Flue
Prefabricated fireplaces are a lot easier to design and construct. But just like any construction, the parts have to be...