Smoke Chamber Repair and Parging

A smooth smoke chamber allows combustion gases to flow upward without turbulence. This improves draw, reduces smoke spillage into the room, and eliminates creosote-trapping ledges. The NFPA recommends that smoke chambers be parged smooth with an insulating refractory mortar.

Our technician works from inside the firebox, applying Chamber Tech 2000 refractory mortar to the corbeled walls in layers. Each layer is shaped to create a smooth, tapered funnel from the damper to the flue entrance. The mortar cures to a hard, heat-resistant surface that withstands temperatures above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The work is completed in a single visit and the fireplace can be used within 24 hours after curing.

Some smoke chambers have cracked or missing mortar from chimney fires, earthquake movement, or age. Others have deteriorated to the point where gaps exist between the smoke chamber and the chimney structure. We assess the smoke chamber condition during every Level II inspection and recommend parging, patching, or in severe cases, partial reconstruction to restore code compliance and safe operation.