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Chimney Care at a Glance: An Infographic
This infographic shows chimney care in three panels: the eight parts of a chimney, six numbers every fireplace owner should know, and what to do in each season. Each figure comes from NFPA 211, the Chimney Safety Institute of America or the EPA, and is written out in text below the graphic.
Call (913) 210-6606Last updated October 3, 2026
What are the parts of a chimney?
A masonry chimney has eight main parts, numbered from the top down.
- Chimney cap. A metal cover with mesh sides. It keeps rain, animals and sparks out of the flue.
- Crown. The sloped slab that seals the top of the masonry around the flue. Cracks here let water into the brick.
- Flue liner. The clay tile or metal tube that carries smoke up and protects the brick from heat.
- Flashing. Sheet metal sealing the joint where the chimney passes through the roof.
- Smoke chamber. The funnel above the firebox that gathers smoke into the flue.
- Damper. The metal door that opens the flue for a fire and closes it afterward.
- Firebox. Where the fire burns. It is lined with firebrick or refractory panels.
- Hearth. The noncombustible floor in front of and under the firebox.
What numbers should a fireplace owner know?
Six numbers cover most of what matters.
How often NFPA 211 says a chimney, fireplace or vent should be inspected.
Source: NFPA 211The buildup at which the CSIA advises having the flue swept.
Source: CSIAFirewood burns best below this level, measured with a moisture meter.
Source: EPA Burn WiseThe minimum time to season split firewood before burning it.
Source: EPA Burn WiseAbout how hot a chimney fire burns, enough to crack tiles and melt mortar.
Source: CSIALevel 1 is the yearly check, Level 2 adds a camera, Level 3 opens up the structure.
Source: NFPA 211What should you do in each season?
Chimney care follows the burning season.
Clean out the firebox, close the damper, check for winter damage, stack next year’s wood.
Get crown, mortar and flashing repairs done while the weather is warm and dry.
Have the chimney inspected and swept if needed, before the first fire.
Burn dry wood with the damper open. Put ashes in a lidded metal can outdoors.
Can I share or reuse this infographic?
Yes. You may link to this page or reuse the graphic with a credit and a link to Absolute Chimney Sweepers. For the full explanation behind each panel, read the chimney maintenance guide.
The drawing is a simplified diagram of a masonry fireplace chimney. Factory-built fireplaces and gas units are built differently.
Know the parts. We will check the ones you cannot see.
Call (913) 210-6606Infographic FAQ
What is the top of a chimney called?
The masonry slab at the top is the crown, and the metal cover over the flue opening is the cap. A factory-built chimney has a chase cover in place of a crown.
What is the difference between a flue and a chimney?
The chimney is the whole structure. The flue is the passage inside it that carries smoke and gases out. One chimney can hold more than one flue, for example one for the fireplace and one for the furnace.
What does chimney flashing do?
Flashing is sheet metal that seals the joint between the chimney and the roof. When it lifts or rusts, water runs down the outside of the chimney into the attic or ceiling.
Where is the smoke shelf in a fireplace?
The smoke shelf sits just behind the damper at the bottom of the smoke chamber. Soot, debris and rainwater collect on it, which is why a sweep cleans it along with the flue.
Sources: Chimney Safety Institute of America, Preventing Chimney Fires (annual inspection, creosote, chimney fire temperature); U.S. EPA Burn Wise, Best Wood-Burning Practices (20 percent moisture, six months of seasoning). The yearly inspection and the three inspection levels come from NFPA 211. The 1/8 inch sweeping guideline is the CSIA’s.
Eight parts, one yearly check
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