Smoke chamber parging involves applying cement-based material to the chamber’s walls to enhance its safety and performance. It’s a critical component of the chimney system, directing smoke and hot gases to the chimney, and located above the firebox and below the flue to prevent fires.

The buildup of creosote, a highly flammable substance that can accumulate on the inside of the chimney walls, can ignite over time, leading to a dangerous and potentially deadly chimney fire. By properly parging the smoke chamber, the risk of creosote buildup and chimney fires can be significantly reduced.

The construction workers use a cement-based mixture specifically designed for high-temperature environments as parging material. This material can withstand the extreme temperatures generated by a fireplace and is highly heat-resistant. They apply the parging material to the interior walls of the chamber smoothly using a trowel or another tool. To provide adequate protection, they ensure that the parging layer has a thickness of at least 3/8 of an inch.