[Illustration]
We will not moralize on the evils of smoky chimneys, but just tell you
in plain language how to construct them so they will not smoke. Make
the throat of the fire-place not more than half the size of the flue;
carefully smooth the inside of the flue, and have it of the same area
all the way to near the top of the chimney, when it should be gradually
tapered inward to about half the area of the flue. At the extreme top,
the cap stone should slant from the opening in all directions downward
at an angle of about twenty degrees. This will insure a good draught and
prevent the smoke blowing downward. No two fire-places should enter the
same flue; neither should a stove-pipe enter a flue unless the fire-place
is closed. Each stove and fire-place should have its own flue. The size
necessary for a flue depends on the fuel to be used.
Soft or Bituminous coal requires a flue nearly double the size of one
where Anthracite is to be used; an open fire-place for wood, larger flues
than either. For instance, an 8 × 8 inch flue answers for Anthracite,
because it makes but little soot, while if Bituminous coal is used, 8 ×
12 is none too large.
You will find in houses all over the country flues smaller than the
above, and a corresponding number of smoky chimneys, which it is
impossible to remedy without re-building from the bottom up.
The carelessness displayed in chimney construction is astonishing. As
the work is hid from view on completion, be watchful during the process
of construction from the ground up. All chimneys should, if possible,
extend above the apex or comb of roof, and should be built of good hard
burnt brick, and no woodwork should be allowed to enter within five
inches of inside of flue, and not within twelve inches anywhere near the
fire-place.
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[Illustration: _Design_ H.—_Front Elevation._