In Berkeley, Calif., house detective Matt Cator came down with a case of the flues blues while inspecting a 1907 Craftsman style home for out-of-state buyers--making the point that not every flue vents from a fireplace. All fuel-burning appliances, like gas water heaters and furnaces, need flues--and all flues need an occasional checkup. Here's why:
- With a fireplace flue, the number one concern is creosote buildup. This sticky residue clings to the inside of the flue and is flammable and dangerous.
- Flues can also become cracked or crumble. Some flues can also be too small for the amount of hot gas they need to vent, or too large to create a good updraft.
- There are two main dangers if a flue isn't working properly. Escaping hot gas can create a fire hazard, and inadequate venting can lead to a buildup of lethal gases inside your home.
To avoid these problems, have a professional check every flue, every year. A skilled mason can fix anything broken like flue tiles or crumbling brick. And if you have problems consider installing a new metal flue liner inside a damaged older one. It could be less expensive than replacement.
No matter what you do, flue liners don't come cheap. A new one will cost about $3,000 installed. But that's a small price to pay for safety and peace of mind.
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