Your chimney may look good on the outside but can have hidden dangers lurking on the inside. A video inspection of your entire flue system is a good first step, as it will be able to spot missing or damaged mortar joints, cracks, and/or spalling that a professional may miss by doing a visual inspection alone after cleaning. If it is determined that you have a damaged chimney liner and repairing it is an option, HeatShield® can restore your chimney’s clay flue liner and save you the expense of rebuilding or relining with a stainless steel chimney liner.
WHAT IS HEATSHIELD®?
HeatShield® is a chimney liner repair system that eliminates the hazards and draft problems caused by gaps, cracks, and spalling in otherwise sound masonry chimneys. It is a specially formulated “cerfractory” coating, which combines the strength of a high-fired ceramic with the heat resistance of high temperature refractory cement to restore the integrity of your chimney’s flue. This restored integrity allows your flue to properly vent hazardous flue gases up and out of your home.
Developed in Europe over 20 years ago, HeatShield® has been independently tested and has been found to exceed all American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Outlines of Investigation for chimney repair and resurfacing products.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
HeatShield® provides several options to address varying degrees of chimney liner deterioration:
- Joint Repair System—recommended for the repair of defective mortar joints
- Resurfacing System—recommended for cracked or spalling chimney liners
- CeCure Sleeve Relining System—recommended for chimneys with more serious defects or those that are unlined
Your certified chimney professional will be able to let you know which option is best for your particular job depending on the severity of the identified defects. Each of the available options will help restore your chimney to its original peak level of safety and efficiency in a very timely and cost-effective manner.
The sealant is supplied as a dry powder that your chimney professional then mixes with tap water immediately before use. Once it has been applied, the compound dries to a hard ceramic-like material that’s both moisture- and corrosion-resistant. Once allowed to cure, it has been proven to withstand moisture, corrosive flue gases, and temperatures in excess of 2,900°F. ASTM rated it as a “Super-Duty” refractory mortar, which more than meets National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) and International Residential Code (IRC) requirements, as both only require “ Medium-Duty” refractory mortar for use in fireplaces and chimneys.
Remember that not all chimney liner repairs and systems are the same. For very severe flue system damage, it is possible that HeatShield® will not be the appropriate option. Chimney repair is nothing to mess around with; following professional and manufacturer instructions as well as local building and fire codes is an absolute must. Contact Owens Chimney Systems to schedule your next chimney inspection sooner rather than later so we can ensure that your flue system hasnt been compromised. You owe it to yourself and to your family to take this issue very seriously. Your lives depend on it!