How To Join a Chimney Stack and the Roof In a Home



Posted: Monday, August 02, 2010

by Andrew Karundu
http://www.karundu.com

The chimney stack carries the smoke from a fireplace through the roof into the air. This is a long tubing designed to ensure smoke is sucked upwards from the room to the outside. It is usually carried above the roof by a masonry or steel construction. It acts like the exhaust pipe of a car after combustion in the engine. The height of the stack may vary depending on the design of the roof. When a roof is flat or low pitched then it usually has a shorter stack than for the high pitched one.

The chimney stack should have adequate outlets to let out smoke. The joint between the it and the roof must be water proofed. This is to prevent rain water or moisture from entering the house. The roofing materials should be able to bond with the flue construction. When this is not done, the ceiling will be affected by water seeping through. This may further damage the walls and floors as the dampness will affect the finishes. The modern construction of the chimney flue uses masonry materials.

When the chimney flue is built, it should have a cap. This will prevent objects or animals falling inside and getting stuck. The usual height of the stack above the roof is not less than two feet. When using roof tiles or sheets as covers, they are tucked into the masonry. It is done where they join the stack. Sometimes the roof rafters or battens are attached to it. When this happens, strong cement is used to cover the masonry joint. Also a steel shoe may be placed on the timber member to prevent smoke from corroding it.

The chimney stack is built to completion before joining the roof covers. After completing the stack, the roof covers are laid. When this is done, a flashing sheet is wrapped around it. It is about a foot wide. Its bent into four equal parts. The masonry is hacked about three inches deep on the roof level. The bent flashing is inserted into the hacked part. It is fixed first upright, then horizontal, downwards and finally horizontal. Tuck nails are used to hold it onto the wall. Strong cement is used to cover the joint. It is laid on top of the roof covers. This allows water to flow over the roof. Matching mortar maybe used as a finish.

Andrew Karundu Is A Building Economist, Providing Home Based Solutions To Fixing, Repairing, Remodeling And Redesigning Homes. He Uses Simple Tried And Tested Methods To Improve Family Lifestyles.Visit His Site Here For Adequate Information On Most HOME IMPROVEMENT SOLUTIONS .
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