Building a better chimney Use proper detailing and the best materials to avoid moisture-penetration problems By Christine A. Subasic 2 1 6 S p e c i f i c a t i o n f o r F a c i n gB r i c k moisture absorbed under pres- for Grade SW (severe weathering). sure, such as from driving rain or Because they have a higher com- freezing effects. The cold-water e s i g n e r s a n d b u i l d e r s o f pressive strength and are less ab- absorption is a measure of the residential chimneys some- sorptive than Grade MW (moder- moisture absorbed by a unit under Dtimes fail to realize the se- ate weathering), Grade SW brick normal conditions. verity of the conditions to which meeting this standard are durable H o w e v e r, i n a re a s w i t h l a rg e a chimney is exposed. As a result, e v e n i f f ro z e n w h i l e s a t u r a t e d a m o u n t s o f r a i n o r n u m e ro u s efflorescence, staining, water pen- with water (Ref. 1). freeze-thaw cycles, consider using etration, and deterioration of ma- ASTM C 216 requirements limit e v e n l e s s a b s o r p t i v e m a s o n r y sonry chimneys may occur, un- the boiling-water absorption for units—Class SX paving brick con- less precautions are taken. Grade SW to 17% and the cold- forming to ASTM C 902 Specifica- Most problems associated with water absorption to 13.3% for an tion for Pedestrian and Light Traf- masonry chimneys, whether aes- average of five brick. The boiling- fic Paving Brick. Because they are thetic or more substantial, are re- w a t e r a b s o r p t i o n re f l e c t s t h e laid horizontally, pavers typically lated to water. Chimneys can be exposed to significant amounts of Expansion joint and sealant water under a variety of climatic conditions. Both the warm rains of Sloped concrete the South and the cold wind-driv- crown 2" min. en rains and snow of the North- east can be damaging to a mason- ry c h i m n e y, p a rt i c u l a r l y i f t h e 2" min. c h i m n e yi si m p ro p e r l yc o n s t ru c t e d or poorly maintained. In addition, the thermal cycling that occurs Drip due to varying outdoor tempera- tures and normal chimney usage Vent can create a potentially damaging 1 2 ⁄2" min. environment. Flashing To withstand the rigors of such an environment, a chimney must b e p ro p e r l y d e s i g n e d a n d c o n - Chimney structed of the best materials. wall 1" space Chimney exterior Clay flue liner The materials used to construct exterior chimney walls are sub- ject to the most severe exposure. If brick is used, it should conform Figure 1 Chimney crown to the requirements of ASTM C are subject to more severe weath- er exposure than brick in vertical applications. Consequently, the Clay flue liner Chimney wall absorption limits found in C 902 are considerably lower than those in C 216 (Ref. 2). Counterflashing ASTM C 902 limits cold water absorption to 8.0% and boiling water absorption to 10.3% for an average of five units. As a result, chimneys built with C 902 brick absorb less water and should pro- 3" min. lap Roof vide better durability than those 4" min. Base flashing built from C 216 brick. Mortar used on the exterior of a chimney can be Type N or S mor- 4" min. tar made from portland cement and lime or from masonry cement. In areas with wind pressures over 25 psf, the Brick Institute of Amer- i c a ( B I A ) re c o m m e n d s Ty p e S portland cement-lime mortar for its high tensile strength. Under Figure 3 Through-wall counterflashing these conditions, chimneys made w i t h o t h e r m o rt a r s a re m o re prone to cracks at the brick/mor- and the exterior elements, only for Pier Test for Refractory Mort a r s , tar interface. non-water-soluble refractory mor- m e d i u m - d u t y. tars should be used for laying the Chimneys used to vent high-effi- Chimney interior flue, as specified by the National ciency gas appliances are subject The interior of a masonry chim- Fire Protection Association stan- to highly acidic condensate. Use ney typically is constructed with d a rd N F PA 2 1 1 ( R e f . 3 ) . T h e s e clay flue liners and an acid-resis- clay flue liners conforming to the mortars should meet the require- tant or chemical-resistant mortar re q u i re m e n t so fA S T M C 3 1 5 S p e ci- ments of ASTM C 105 Specificati o n in these chimneys for best perfor- fication for Clay Flue Linings. Be- for Ground Fire Clay as a Ref r a c t o r y mance. Do not use portland ce- cause of their exposure to mois- M o rt a r f o r L a y i n g U p F i re c l a y m e n t o r c a l c i u m a l u m i n a t e c e- ture from condensing flue gases B r i c k o r A S T M C 1 9 9 Test Method m e n t b e c a u s e o f t h e i r l o w a c i d re s i s t a n c e . To accommodate the wide tem- Base flashing Tab perature changes experienced by the flue, include a 1-inch air space b e t w e e n t h e e x t e r i o r c h i m n e y walls and the flue. In high seismic a re a s , t h i s s p a c e i s f i l l e d w i t h grout for structural reasons, but reinforcement placed within this space helps to accommodate the thermal stresses that occur. Counter- flashing Crown Better chimney design always in- cludes a crown to protect the chimney walls and interior fro m rain and snow. A portland cement c o n c rete crown is re c o m m e n d e d . Whether prefabricated or cast-in- p l a c e , a c o n c re t e c ro w n s h o u l d b e a t l e a s t 2 i n c h e s t h i c k w i t h a s l o p e of 3 inches or more to pro m o t e Base flashing drainage, as shown in Figure 1 . T h e c h i m n e y c ro w n s h o u l d p ro- 1 Figure 2 Intersection with the roof ject at least 2 ⁄2 inches past the face of the chimney wall below and in- corporate a drip. This re d u c e sw a- chimney walls to form a drip edge. place. But use this detail cautious- t e r ru n d o w no nt h e chimney walls. It should pass through the chim- ly because it does not provide 3 Leave a ⁄8 -inch gap between the ney walls into the space between drainage for water entering the chimney crown and the flue to al- the walls and the flue. The flash- chimney space. low for thermal expansion of the i n g s h o u l d b e t u rn e d u p w a rd I n t h e n o rt h e a s t e rn U n i t e d flue. The gap should be filled with against the flue and extend up to States, where driving rains are se- a backer rod and an elastomeric the top of the crown (see Figure 1). vere, tray or pan flashing may be sealant, such as a silicone or a A backer rod and sealant placed used. A solid sheet of flashing, of- polysulfide sealant. Extend the b e t w e e n t h e f l a s h i n g a n d t h e ten made of lead, is cut to match flue at least 2 inches or the mini- the chimney cross-section. Holes m u mc o d e - re q u i re dd i s t a n c ea b o v e crown provides a tight barrier to are then cut for the flue(s).