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OCTOBER 2023 HOME 7 Fireplace From Page 6 the chimney, but the condition of the inside of the chimney is more important. A well- maintained chimney should be able to con- tain a chimney fire and avoid a house fire. Efficient fireplaces, which control com- bustion air and room air loss, tend to pro- duce more creosote because of incomplete combustion. Even though you want it to be as efficient as possible, don't choke down the combustion air inlet excessively. Many houses have had chimney fires without the family knowing it. One obvious sign of a chimney fire is a rapid increase of the draft up the chimney. The intense heat from the fire creates a very strong upward draft. Another sign is reduced draft and smoky conditions afterward. The heat from the chimney fire can crack the tiles lining it. If the mortar is deteriorated, the tiles can come loose or break and fall across the flue. This blocks the smoke path up the chimney causing back drafting and poor combustion. When the chimney is cleaned, you may see chunks of puffy black creosote fall into the fireplace. This often indicates there was a chimney fire. Make sure the chimney sweep does a visual inspection of the entire chimney liner with a video camera. If a chimney sweep does not do a thor- ough inspection, but suggests a new liner or a costly sealer procedure, get a second opin- ion. I had that happen once at my own home. The second inspection with a camera showed the chimney liner was actually fine. Do-it-yourself repair materials are avail- able for chimney exterior (ChimneyRX, www.chimneyrx.com, 800-860-6327). If water penetrates the chimney crown or through the sides, this can affect the interior mortar joints. It can also leak into the house walls causing structural damage. Brick actually is a porous material even though it feels very hard and rainwater will easily migrate through it. This is the cause of the bad spots you see. In climates with repeated freeze/thaw cycles during winter, this damage happens faster. Using a hammer and chisel, remove crum- bling or loose mortar. Use matching elas- tomeric mortar repair material to fill the voids. After it sets up, coat (brush or spray) the entire chimney exterior with chimney water repellent. Inspect the chimney crown for cracks. Similar types of elastomeric repair materi- als can be brushed on cracks or applied with a trowel for more serious repairs. If it is below freezing temperatures, use a special type of material which sets up as it freezes. Unless the metal flashing between the chimney and roof is badly rusted, a thick coating of flexible flashing sealant should block leaks. Badly rusted flashing must first be replaced and then sealed. Dear Jim: I need to bend some aluminum siding to repair a corner over insulation damaged in a storm. I do not have a profes- sional bending brake to make a crisp sharp corner. How can I bend it myself ? — Steve K. Dear Steve: For those who do not know, a brake is a heavy piece of equipment, often with a hydraulic cylinder, to bend long creases in sheet metal. It is too expensive for the average do-it-yourselfer. Buy two pieces of metal angle at your home center store. Lay each over the edge of a clamping workbench or large vise and tighten the siding between them. Start the bend by hand and then pound in the crisp corner with a flat hardwood block. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, Conley Media, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) Photo by ChimneyRX This patch system repairs and seals the flashing around the base of the chimney. A piece of mesh is covered with a tough polymer material, which adheres well.