Although the majority of fireplaces are similarly constructed and share common attributes, the standard fireplace is includes a central foundation of cement, in addition to a hearth, a firebox and a unique facing, ash dump and cleanout doors, a lintel and lintel bar, a breast, a damper, a smoke chamber, a throat, a flue, a chimney chase, a crown, a cap or shroud, and a spark arrestor. The structure of the fireplace was incorporated into the designs of homes for years, even centuries. Today however, considering that the fireplace has been replaced by central heating, the presence of fireplaces, where they still exist, seems to be to carrying on tradition.
Fireplace Fuel.
Traditionally, fireplaces were fueled by coal, wood, or peat air conditioning repair McKinney . Today, these burning products have been replaced by natural gas and electrical power due to the fact that these are cleaner, safer, and often less expensive than the older forms of fuel. Gas fireplaces typically need small doses of fuel to enable flames to burn for long periods of time. Modern fireplaces are much better and more cost-effective that way.
Types of Fireplaces.
Manufactured/Prefab Fireplaces are constructed with a sheet metal fire box, a double or triple walled metal pipe running up inside a wood framed chase, a chase cover, and a cap/spark arrestor at the top. Seawater in close proximity causes this kind of chimney to rust, but, its more economical than the more costly masonry chimney.
Masonry fireplaces feature tiles that implement the flue to prevent corrosion in the chimney flue lining. These are not earthquake-resistant!
Reinforced Concrete Chimneys.
They had their heyday throughout the 1970s and 80s, but, are now obsolete. Inherent defects include confliction of thermal expansion rates between the steel rebar and concrete, which will cause cracking in the flue when heated. The chimney is loaded with vertical fractures which end up being more severe as the internal rebar rusts.
Fireplaces are appealing, as they add style to ones house. The fire is mesmerizing and calming, and mantels are very popular in boasting family photos. Fireplaces hold a value that surpass their originally intended function, and the apparent defects in their structure. It goes deeper than that, as fireplaces represent all the securities and conveniences of the house.