There is so much moisture generated by furnaces that the water can damage the brick and the mortar. A hole or gap in the chimney can also allow flue gases to escape into the home's attic or living space. Overexposure to these gases can cause injury, death, or a house fire. L.C. Home Page Newsletter Contents E-mail Dave Chimney Tips Chimneys pose a potential danger. Most of them are concealed or inaccessible, yet they play a critical role in the overall safety of a wood-burning system.
Chimneys have two functions.
They create a draft to bring air to the fire, and they carry hot gases safely away. Only units listed by a national testing service should be used. Most people use an existing chimney for their wood-burning system. Because you cannot be sure of an old chimney's safety, an expert, such as a qualified mason or chimney sweep, should inspect it before it is used. There are also things that you can check personally.