The Best Cincinnati Chimney uses the HeatShield® Cerfractory Flue Sealant as a key solution for restoring chimney integrity and safety. This specialized material is used via one of two distinct application systems: the Joint Repair System and the Resurfacing System.
The choice between these two systems is determined by a professional chimney inspection that identifies the specific defects within your clay tile liner.
Here is an expansion on the two services, highlighting their differences.
1. HeatShield® Joint Repair System
The Joint Repair System is used when the existing clay liner repair needs are minor and localized, primarily focusing on the mortar joints between the flue tiles.
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- Service Focus: Targeted liner repair for compromised mortar joints.
- When It's Used: This is the ideal solution if your chimney inspection reveals that the clay tiles themselves are in good condition, but the mortar joints connecting them are cracked, eroded, or have gaps. These defects allow hazardous flue gases and heat to escape, reducing the effectiveness and safety of the system.
- The Process: A specialized foam applicator is inserted into the flue to locate the damaged joint. The HeatShield® sealant is then applied specifically to that joint, creating a new, smoke-tight seal.
- Keywords: This system is critical for routine chimney maintenance to prevent small joint gaps from worsening. It offers precise liner repair to maintain the structural integrity of the flue, which is vital for safe operation, especially for attached heating units requiring appliance liner repair (like furnaces or water heaters).
2. HeatShield® Resurfacing System
The Resurfacing System is a more comprehensive liner repair service used for more severe damage that affects the entire interior surface of the flue.
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- Service Focus: Complete restoration of the entire inner surface of the chimney liner.
- When It's Used: This is necessary when the chimney inspection reveals cracks, spalling (flaking/chipping), and significant deterioration not just at the joints, but on the tile faces themselves. If the damage is too widespread for simple joint repair, resurfacing creates a new, smooth, and solid coating.
- The Process: After thorough cleaning, the HeatShield® sealant is applied over the entire inner surface of the flue. A special device is used to spin the material onto the walls, creating a durable, ceramic-like coating that seals all cracks and gaps.
- Keywords: This system is a major component of restorative chimney maintenance, essentially giving the flue a new, safe life. It provides comprehensive liner repair for heavily damaged flues, often required following years of use or an improperly vented appliance liner repair situation that led to significant acidic damage.
