Lesson 1Firestops, combustible clearances, and floor/ceiling fire-resistant detailing when passing through intermediate floorsGrasp firestop and gap rules where chimneys go through floors. Covers burnable separation, fire-rated floors/ceilings, stop materials, details, and check points for code.
Code clearances to combustible framingFirestop materials and fastening methodsDetailing at floor and ceiling assembliesMaintaining rating of penetrated assembliesInspection checkpoints and documentationLesson 2Flashing systems: step flashing and counterflashing installation, selecting metals (copper, stainless, lead-coated), sealants and corrosion considerations for snowy climatesBuild skills for chimney flashing setups. Includes step flashing, counterflashing, metal picks, sealants, rust control, and details for snow, ice, steep roofs.
Step flashing layout and sequencingCounterflashing cuts and reglet detailsChoosing copper, stainless, or coated steelSealant selection and joint preparationSnow, ice dam, and steep-slope detailingLesson 3Layout, transfer of fireplace opening to chimney centerline, and establishing vertical alignment and plumb control for multi-story runMaster chimney layout from fire opening to roof. Transfer firebox centre, set offsets, use plumb lines, levels, rods for straight runs on single or multi-storey.
Locating chimney relative to fireboxTransferring opening to chimney centerlinePlanning offsets and wall penetrationsUsing plumb lines, levels, and lasersStory poles and multi-story control pointsLesson 4Smoke chamber and throat formation: cutting, corbelling, parging, and flared throat construction techniques to ensure smooth flowGrasp shaping smoke chamber and throat for even draw. Covers layout, cutting corbelling brick, smoothing parge, flared throat to cut swirl and soot.
Code requirements for smoke chambersCutting and fitting masonry for corbelsCorbelling limits and support strategiesParging mixes and smooth finish methodsForming and sizing the flared throatLesson 5Cap installation: materials (stainless steel, concrete, stone, prefabricated), anchor methods, crowning waterproofing, and animal/downdraft devicesLearn picking and fitting chimney caps with right materials and holds. Includes waterproof crowns, seals, and gear to block pests, rain, wind pushback.
Comparing cap materials and durabilityAnchor types for masonry and flue tilesCrown sealants and drip edge detailingSpark arrestors and animal guard devicesWind and downdraft mitigation featuresLesson 6Roof penetration workflow: temporary weatherproofing, coordinating with roofers and carpenters, cutting roof framing, installing framing collars or cricket where neededFollow steps for safe dry roof holes. Temporary covers, team with roofers/carpenters, cut sheeting/framing, fit collars, saddles, diverters as needed.
Planning chimney location with roof layoutTemporary weatherproofing around openingCutting sheathing and framing safelyFraming collars, headers, and trimmersCrickets and saddles for water diversionLesson 7Quality control during lays: checking plumb, coursing, bond, joint thickness, and tolerancesBuild checks while laying brick. Test plumb, level, courses, bonds, joint size, tolerances, note fixes, keep steady work up the stack.
Setting tolerances for plumb and levelMonitoring coursing and bond alignmentControlling joint thickness and fullnessCorrecting out-of-plumb or out-of-level workDocumenting inspections and test resultsLesson 8Installing flue liners: setting clay or ceramic tiles, mortar bedding, vertical jointing, lateral restraint and insulating fills where requiredStudy fitting clay or ceramic flue liners right. Set in mortar, line joints, brace sides, add fill insulation where codes or needs call for it.
Flue sizing for appliance and fireplace loadsMortar bedding and joint thickness limitsAligning and staggering vertical jointsLateral bracing and centering in the shaftInsulating and lightweight fill optionsLesson 9Building the crown: mixes, slope, control joints, reinforcement, and throat transition to crownLearn designing placing chimney crowns to shed water protect brick. Covers mixes, slopes, drips, steel, slip joints, flue to crown shift.
Crown thickness, overhang, and drip edgesConcrete and mortar mixes for crownsReinforcement placement and anchorageControl joints and crack managementThroat-to-crown transition detailingLesson 10Block or brick unit selection, bond patterns, mortar mixing and joint tooling for optimum strength and weather resistancePick right brick/block, bonds, mortar. Learn mixing, laying, tooling for top strength, weather hold, long service.
Selecting brick or block for chimney loadsBond patterns for strength and appearanceMortar types, proportions, and additivesMixing, workability, and pot life controlJoint tooling profiles and weather resistance
