Attic Concrete Chimney Fire Blocking Old Homes

The fireplaces and chimneys in older homes are almost certainly masonry based.

Attic concrete chimney fire blocking old homes.

If fire blocking or stopping is not in place the space between each of the wall studs acts like its own high velocity chimney. Types of fireplaces in older homes. Chimney inspection diagnosis and repair role of pyrolysis in increasing future fire hazard in a building how to inspect diagnose and repair chimney problems and safety hazards extensive photo illustrated guide to. The chimney crown is the cement part on top of the chimney.

Most masonry chimneys are made with bricks though there are also block chimneys. A small amount of efflorescence is common. The bricks go up around the tile flue liners but at the top you need something to stop the rain and snow from just falling in around the tiles. 2 many chimney leaks are from cracks in the chimney crown.

Short circuits the fire blocking if for instance you install a soffit without separating it from the wall cavity fire is free to travel up the stud bay through the soffit and into the joist bays. As a framer i have to install fire blocking regularly. Guide to fire stopping at chimney passage through building floors what are the fire stopping or fire block details needed where a chimney passes through building floors. The metal factory built hearth systems are found mostly in houses built after the 1950s.

But imagine what happens if you do put a solid piece of wood at the bottom and top of the wall in between all of the wall studs in this house. Fire blocking designed to slow down the spread of fire from one floor of your house to the next. Doing this correctly can get tricky depending on the complexity of the building. You can see that the very purpose of the chimney crown is to keep rain out.

But if the amount of efflorescence on your chimney is excessive it may be cause for concern. By old we mean houses more than 60 years old. The allure of a home with a past and especially a historically relevant past can be hard to resist. Typically inspectors are looking for fire blocking in the gaps between the foundation wall and the framed wall of your basement specifically at the top of that wall area.

The drywall that is your ceiling is a form of fire blocking. Some could be caused by rainfall soaking into the brick.