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Smoke Chamber Parging in New Jersey
The smoke chamber is the part of your chimney you will probably never see: the space directly above the fireplace damper, where the wide firebox narrows into the flue. If its walls are rough, stepped or cracked, it can collect creosote and disrupt the flow of smoke. AM Chimney Sweep provides smoke chamber parging for homeowners throughout New Jersey.
What is the smoke chamber, and why does it need parging?
Above the firebox is the damper. Above the damper, the walls slope inward to funnel smoke into the flue. That funnel is the smoke chamber, and its shape and surface affect how smoothly smoke moves from the fire into the chimney. In many masonry fireplaces, especially older ones, the smoke chamber was built by stepping each row of bricks inward (corbeling) and left unfinished, leaving rough ledges where soot and creosote collect, plus gaps and open mortar joints. Parging applies a heat-resistant coating over the smoke chamber walls to create a smooth, sealed surface.
Signs you may need smoke chamber parging
- A chimney sweep or home inspector noted a corbeled, rough, unparged or cracked smoke chamber
- Heavy creosote that builds up quickly above the damper
- Visible gaps, cracks or missing mortar above the damper
What parging involves
- Inspect and show you the smoke chamber condition before recommending anything
- Clean the smoke chamber thoroughly first
- Apply the heat-resistant parging material
- Smooth to an even, sealed surface
Tip: This work is backed by our five-year workmanship warranty. Read our Morristown smoke chamber project or our Hillsborough project, or explore more in Our Work.
What parging does not fix
- A cracked flue liner
- A broken damper
- Damaged firebox brick
Note: Parging addresses the smoke chamber only. If we find a cracked flue liner, broken damper or damaged firebox brick, we will tell you.
Related guides
Where we do this work
Local guides: Paramus and Livingston, or see all North Jersey towns.
Questions
What is smoke chamber parging?
The smoke chamber is the part of your chimney you will probably never see, above the damper where the firebox narrows into the flue. If it is rough, stepped or cracked, it can collect creosote and disrupt airflow. That is what parging addresses.
How do I know if I need smoke chamber parging?
Signs include a chimney sweep or home inspector noting a corbeled, rough, unparged or cracked smoke chamber; heavy creosote buildup above the damper; or visible gaps, cracks or missing mortar above the damper.
Does parging fix a cracked flue liner or damper?
No. Parging addresses the smoke chamber only, not a cracked flue liner, a broken damper or damaged firebox brick. If we find any of those, we will tell you.
Is the smoke chamber cleaned before parging?
Yes. We clean the smoke chamber thoroughly first so the new coating bonds to sound masonry, then apply and smooth the heat-resistant parging material.
Is smoke chamber parging covered by a warranty?
Yes. This work is backed by our five-year workmanship warranty.
Related services
Want your smoke chamber looked at?
Book online, or call and tell us what you are seeing.