Building A Chimney Flue

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.

Building a chimney flue.

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. Adjust if needed before the mortar dries. The flue connects the top of the smoke chamber to the roof through the middle of the 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.

The building code of australia contains certain recommendations about chimney and flue heights and their distances from other homes. 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. There are three likely routes by which rain can enter the structure. Simply down the flue and into the building.

As noted in the previous section it may be made of either brick or metal pipe. 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. 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.

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. 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. Although the building criteria must be met to satisfy the local building regulations this does not guarantee the chimney or flue will perform satisfactorily. Periodically use a level to make sure the brick wall is level both horizontally and vertically.

For instance it s important for chimneys to be insulated as this keeps the smoke warm and lessens the chances of it condensing as tar deposits. 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. Construct the flue and outside of chimney. Lay the brinks on top of each other building up the chimney s walls on each side.