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Fireplace condition Eigenvector 09-09-2006
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Posted by Eigenvector on September 9, 2006, 5:28 pm
When I bought my place the condition of the fireplace was a known quantity,
I wrote it off as unimportant since I don't see myself using it all that
much.

However looking at it I wonder if it is serviceable for winter or if I
should repair it before use.

I know I know it would have been best to look at it BEFORE the onset of
Autumn, but I don't live in a severe weather location, so if my gas furnace
ever gave it up, I'd still be fine.

So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox itself
here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no cracks or
broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a concern?
It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot on
the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if only
because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on either the
roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken and this
condition is normal?

It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people like
that typically charge?



Posted by k on September 9, 2006, 5:57 pm
I don't know what a chimney sweep will charge where you live, but he should
be able to advise you on your chimney and fireplace, and recommend folks who
can repair if necessary.

> When I bought my place the condition of the fireplace was a known
> quantity, I wrote it off as unimportant since I don't see myself using it
> all that much.
>
> However looking at it I wonder if it is serviceable for winter or if I
> should repair it before use.
>
> I know I know it would have been best to look at it BEFORE the onset of
> Autumn, but I don't live in a severe weather location, so if my gas
> furnace ever gave it up, I'd still be fine.
>
> So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
> joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
> cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox itself
> here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no cracks or
> broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a concern?
> It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
> dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
> on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
> only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
> either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
> and this condition is normal?
>
> It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
> I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
> intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
> like that typically charge?
>



Posted by Eigenvector on September 9, 2006, 6:27 pm

>I don't know what a chimney sweep will charge where you live, but he should
>be able to advise you on your chimney and fireplace, and recommend folks
>who can repair if necessary.
>

Yeah I know, but I wanted to get some opinions beforehand so he/she/it
didn't pull one over on me with bad information or hard sells for things I
didn't need.

>> When I bought my place the condition of the fireplace was a known
>> quantity, I wrote it off as unimportant since I don't see myself using it
>> all that much.
>>
>> However looking at it I wonder if it is serviceable for winter or if I
>> should repair it before use.
>>
>> I know I know it would have been best to look at it BEFORE the onset of
>> Autumn, but I don't live in a severe weather location, so if my gas
>> furnace ever gave it up, I'd still be fine.
>>
>> So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
>> joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
>> cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox
>> itself here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no
>> cracks or broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a
>> concern?
>> It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
>> dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
>> on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
>> only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
>> either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
>> and this condition is normal?
>>
>> It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
>> I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
>> intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
>> like that typically charge?
>>
>
>



Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on September 9, 2006, 10:19 pm

>
> So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
> joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
> cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox itself
> here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no cracks or
> broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a concern?

Fire brick is the first line of keeping the rest of hte house secure.
Missing mortar is a potential problem, but easily repaired. A tight crack
should be OK, but an air gap is a potential problem, THe chimney sweep can
see it and make a determination better than anyone here.


> It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
> dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
> on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
> only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
> either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
> and this condition is normal?

Ash does not burn, but creosote does. If you have that much gunk on the
wall, it is a potential VERY serious problem. Again, I can't see it, but
there is probably enough creosote there to start a major fire. It should be
cleaned before even considering a fire.

>
> It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
> I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
> intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
> like that typically charge?

$100 to $200. How high is the chimney? Pitch of the roof? Condition of
the lining? How much to be cleaned?



Posted by Eigenvector on September 9, 2006, 11:36 pm

>
>>
>> So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
>> joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
>> cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox
>> itself here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no
>> cracks or broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a
>> concern?
>
> Fire brick is the first line of keeping the rest of hte house secure.
> Missing mortar is a potential problem, but easily repaired. A tight crack
> should be OK, but an air gap is a potential problem, THe chimney sweep
> can see it and make a determination better than anyone here.
>
>
>> It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
>> dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
>> on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
>> only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
>> either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
>> and this condition is normal?
>
> Ash does not burn, but creosote does. If you have that much gunk on the
> wall, it is a potential VERY serious problem. Again, I can't see it, but
> there is probably enough creosote there to start a major fire. It should
> be cleaned before even considering a fire.
>
>>
>> It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
>> I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
>> intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
>> like that typically charge?
>
> $100 to $200. How high is the chimney? Pitch of the roof? Condition of
> the lining? How much to be cleaned?
>

Alright, so chimney sweep it is.



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