When a chimney inspection is done, very specific words are used to describe what has been observed during the inspection. Sometimes the words are unfamiliar.

The technology of chimneys and fireplaces has its own nomenclature (verbiage). The words in a chimney inspection report describe specific chimney situations present, in order to give an estimate for repair. Inspections are also "forensic" in nature which means they show exactly what is going on with the chimney.

Receiving the results of a chimney inspection can be an emotional time. Repairs and replacements can be more than expected because you are dealing with a custom product. Then on top of that, the report makes no sense!

Here a few key words that you may find in your chimney report with simple definitions:

CHIMNEY CROWN: Chimneys should always be designed with a sloping crown on top to prevent water from running down next to the flue lining and into the fireplace. The chimney crown also prohibits the water from standing at the top and creating frost or moisture problems. The chimney crown prevents the brick and masonry of the chimney from becoming soaked from the top down. The chimney flue liners should project approximately two inches to four inches above the highest point of the chimney crown.

ENCIRCLING CRACK: This is a term used to describe damage to a structure, i.e. cracking that transfers all the way around the structure itself. This can usually be found on areas of exterior or interior flues and indicates that the chimney is broken.

FACING: This is the non-combustible material such as brick tile or stone that directly surrounds the firebox opening. NOTE: Code has minimum standards required for facing materials as far as depth and distance from combustible materials.

FIREBOX: The combustion area of a fireplace. It is generally built with firebrick laid with thin joints. The side walls are slanted slightly to radiate heat into the room. The rear wall is sloped or curved to provide an upward draft.

MORTAR: A bonding agent used to join masonry units, this material has sand and cement mixture specifically formulated to adhere to masonry units, i.e. brick or concrete blocked together.

PARGING: A thin cement like coating placed on the interior of smoke chambers or flue systems to smooth their surface allowing for better drafting. Parging is also a term used to seal gaps and voids between clay liners.

WIDTH: Each continuous vertical section of wall, one masonry unit in thickness.

A complete glossary of chimney and fireplace terms can be found at www.bostonbrick.com