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Posted by Don Ocean on December 15, 2008, 10:47 pm
wellwood@gmail.com wrote:
> I bought a 1925 built house last year. When we got it we had a chimney
> guy come out and fix the top and check it. He re built the top of the
> chimney and said we are good to go. I asked about it being lined and
> he said it was fine.
>
> This year I had another company come out with a camera. They cleaned
> the chimney and ran a camera. The smoke box is just brick. Seemed like
> an issue but he said it was still ok. Above that there is the original
> terracotta liner (rectangular). Some places where the terracotta
> section meets another there are gaps where some of the mortar is
> missing. Not a hole just a depression. The largest was about the size
> of my index finger, length and depth (average adult male). Meaning I
> could lay my finger in the groove and it would fit perfect. Only one
> of the gaps is that large and most places the grout or whatever it is
> is fine.
>
> Basically we had one guy say its fine another say its a fire hazard
> and it would be $5000 to repair it.
>
> 1. How dangerous is it? Small fire risk and keep using it, or oh my
> god the house is going to burn down anytime if you use it.
>
> 2. An estimate for a 4 foot smoke box and 20 foot high chimney
> relining does $5000 seem high?
>
> 3. Most importantly can I use it through the holiday season? I used it
> all last year and since its been cold this year.
>
> Thanks
International code calls for unbroken liners from top to bottom. That
does not necessarily mean that if not done, that it is dangerous. I
recommend a public building official to inspect and make
recommendations. You will pay for that. But that person or persons will
not have an axe to grind and have non monetary gain to be had either
way. I strongly suggest that you do whatever is necessary to safeguard
the lives and health of you and your family. Don't let scare tactics
color your reasoning. You did not mention what fuels you are using.
That chimney can not utilize mixed fuels from more then one source. Call
your local building inspection official promptly for the best advice.
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> guy come out and fix the top and check it. He re built the top of the
> chimney and said we are good to go. I asked about it being lined and
> he said it was fine.
>
> This year I had another company come out with a camera. They cleaned
> the chimney and ran a camera. The smoke box is just brick. Seemed like
> an issue but he said it was still ok. Above that there is the original
> terracotta liner (rectangular). Some places where the terracotta
> section meets another there are gaps where some of the mortar is
> missing. Not a hole just a depression. The largest was about the size
> of my index finger, length and depth (average adult male). Meaning I
> could lay my finger in the groove and it would fit perfect. Only one
> of the gaps is that large and most places the grout or whatever it is
> is fine.
>
> Basically we had one guy say its fine another say its a fire hazard
> and it would be $5000 to repair it.
>
> 1. How dangerous is it? Small fire risk and keep using it, or oh my
> god the house is going to burn down anytime if you use it.
>
> 2. An estimate for a 4 foot smoke box and 20 foot high chimney
> relining does $5000 seem high?
>
> 3. Most importantly can I use it through the holiday season? I used it
> all last year and since its been cold this year.
>
> Thanks