SpyderCKE
We call that the Dennis Miller Ratio
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Milwaukee, WI
| Replacing a beyond repair chimney
I had the sweep come inspect my chimney, and he offered to take $5k of my money to rebuild it. It is probably warranted, though I don't know that a new chimney of this size is required. It is on the back side of the house, and not visible from the front.
Can something like a stainless chimney be put in it's place, while keeping the portion under the roof intact? I fear that a sweep is going to push for complete restoration, as they obviously will need to spend far more time rebuilding a brick chimney.
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dandelion
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-29
clubs:
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| Someone more expert I'm sure will answer, but did he say it was the mortar the main problem?
»www.ehow.com/how_115757_fix-crum···ney.html
(for that much money, I would tend to want to get a second or third opinion and price also)
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Kringle
Dr.D
Premium
join:2004-02-27
Pierrefonds, QC
 ·Bell Sympatico
| reply to SpyderCKE
I don't see anything there that requires a rebuild. All I see is repointing and, possibly, a crown job (can't see it in the pictures). The only other issue is if the flue is cracked further down but it's possible to get a liner for that repair. I've seen brick chimneys in MUCH worse condition repaired without a rebuild.
$5k is a lot of money to throw at this and, as said earlier, I would get other opinions from the pros in your area. |
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robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX | reply to SpyderCKE
Chimney sweeps are great for cleaning chimneys. If you need advise on brick masonry, get an estimate from a brick mason. |
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hurfy
Premium
join:2002-08-06
Spokane, WA
| reply to SpyderCKE
I don't think we spent $5k fixing ours after 23 bricks fell off during an earthquake years ago. (makes one rethink that whole 'get outta the house' thing tho if it is raining bricks...)
They just rebuilt what fell off and redid some mortar on the rest and recapped maybe. That doesn't look too bad except for the ugly flashing. I think more details and more estimates required. It looks like it needs some new mortar is all from here. |
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SpyderCKE
We call that the Dennis Miller Ratio
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Milwaukee, WI
| Thanks for the advice, I'll look in the area for a mason/chimney expert.
Who would be best able to install something like this? I'm at a loss what to look for when replacing or installing new alternative chimneys..
»www.northlineexpress.com/itemdes···5SP-9506
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eXodus
Scott
Premium
join:2005-08-04
Rockaway, NJ
| reply to SpyderCKE
I personally would stay with a brick chimney. I think you would loose too much heat in a stainless..the bricks/flue will heat up and radiate heat.
I have a rumsford fireplace in my house, traditional fireplace, and the thing radiates heat like no other.
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SpyderCKE
We call that the Dennis Miller Ratio
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Milwaukee, WI
| I intend to keep everything below the roofline. My intent is to reduce the footprint of the chimney on the roof, to reduce snow/ice buildup which has already caused water damage. I was hoping some sort of liner could be put in to achieve this..
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natedj
Elected
Premium
join:2001-06-06
Columbia, SC | reply to SpyderCKE
Have you considered removing the top(flue) and installing a ventless insert? |
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Gres7
join:2001-03-05
Brooklyn, NY
| reply to SpyderCKE
As same thing happened to me- I can not tell you for 100%, but for 99% - it is scam.
For 3-5K they will install NOT needed metal liner inside.
do a google search on "chimney scam" - I bet you'll find alot of people that been taken for ride.
»www.scambusters.org/chimneyrepair.html |
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no_one
@QWEST.NET
| reply to SpyderCKE
said by SpyderCKE  :I intend to keep everything below the roofline. My intent is to reduce the footprint of the chimney on the roof, to reduce snow/ice buildup which has already caused water damage. I was hoping some sort of liner could be put in to achieve this.. What do you mean by below the roof line. If it is what I am guessing there are codes so the chimney will draw a draft or whatever that is called. |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | reply to SpyderCKE
Ok, I'm not an expert, but what is exactly wrong with that chimney and why do you think it's beyond repair?
I've seen chimney's in much worse shape (bricks falling off) and they are used year after year.... |
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ArthurS
Watch Those Blinking Lights
Premium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON
| reply to SpyderCKE
said by SpyderCKE :My intent is to reduce the footprint of the chimney on the roof, to reduce snow/ice buildup which has already caused water damage. Wouldn't this water damage be a result of improperly installed flashing and roofing tiles, rather than putting the blame on the chimney? Lots of chimneys in the middle of the roof around here (including mine), don't know of any that are the cause of water damage with a properly maintained roof. |
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hortnut
join:2005-09-25
Beavercreek, OR
·BCTelco
·Qwest.net
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| reply to SpyderCKE
I second all the other responses about getting a number of quotes from a masonry company specializing in chimneys.
I see you have an insert in a Fireplace?
I just moved into a Rental with a freestanding 20 year old Lopi Woodstove that needs a few parts. It is still being made and parts are available.
My point is I have been searching for manuals and have found the install manuals. In the installs I have seen liners put into old masonary for both freestanding and inserts. For both pellets and woodburning. And all kinds of solutions, short of tearing out the old chimney.
Looking at your photos, I see little I would be concerned about.
An ex-brother-outlaw, was in the chimney cleaning business - the crap he would get paid for and the work he did not do was outrageous!
Plus I had a boiler and other heaters at my Nursery and several times a year someone would stop by and say my chimneys were dangerous! I Installed and maintained them throughout the heating season - just scammers trying to make a dishonest buck.
I think you are looking at pittance compared to $5k.
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Icarus
Soulshine
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join:2000-11-08
SANCTUARY
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| reply to SpyderCKE
Re-point the chimney above the roof and run stainless up from the insert with a cap. Probably cost around $1200 bucks or so as the stainless is kinda pricey. Its what I did in my ranch and the stainless is good for 25 years or so.
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SpyderCKE
We call that the Dennis Miller Ratio
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Milwaukee, WI
| reply to KrK
In response to more than just you, there is a fair amount of spalling, and the inner clay liner is cracked. There is also water damage around the ceiling area inside the house. The quote I got was to replace the majority of the chimney, given by what I am led to believe is a reputable company (hearsay, and time in business, I could be wrong).
I realize good flashing could make leaking much less likely, but the thing is that the chimney does nothing for me or the house, and can only be much worse than an 18" pipe coming through the roof. I plan to remove the wood insert and put gas in, sometime in the near future. The roof is also losing shingles daily, and will be completely replaced in a month or so. It just seems like the perfect opportunity to get rid of arguably one of the biggest risks to roof failure on this house.
As far as problems I have noticed, the roof is so shallow, and aims E/NE so it gets partial sun during the winter. Last winter, there was easily 8 inches of ice behind the chimney and in the valley next to it (there is a cricket as well). New shingles and flashing may substantially reduce this, but why would I want to encourage nature? If putting in a small stove pipe is cheaper than brick repair, why wouldn't I?
As for what I meant about below the roof line, imagine disassembling the chimney down to below the roof deck. Then place some sort of SS pipe in the remaining base, and penetrate the new roof deck with an ~18" hole.
This might be complete nonsense, opinions everywhere have been all over the place, too 
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carmas
join:2003-07-31
Floral Park, NY
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to SpyderCKE
If the roof is leaking, there probably is no saddle on the up-slope side of the chimney. Yhe sadle diverts snow and water around the chimney, rather than letting it pile up against it.
Drew |
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cowboyro
join:2000-10-11
Bridgeport, CT | reply to SpyderCKE
Taking down and rebuilding that chimney looks like a DIY project that costs 3-4 days and few packs of beer. Oh and maybe $150 in supplies. If you carefully take it down you can even re-use the bricks. |
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Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
| reply to robbin
said by robbin :Chimney sweeps are great for cleaning chimneys. If you need advise on brick masonry, get an estimate from a brick mason. Wouldn't be surprised if the chimney sweep guy has a "friend" who's a mason... The OP hands the chimney sweep $5k and the sweep-guy hires his mason buddy for half that or so !  |
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Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
| reply to SpyderCKE
said by SpyderCKE : As for what I meant about below the roof line, imagine disassembling the chimney down to below the roof deck. Then place some sort of SS pipe in the remaining base, and penetrate the new roof deck with an ~18" hole. That's what we did as have a number of neighbors... Difference is, we do NOT have fireplaces, either wood or gas, using the chimney, nor furnaces, water heaters, etc. Well, in my case, my water heater does use the the vent piping we installed. My gas fireplace is vent-less and my furnace is high-efficiency, so they don't use the chimney.
20+ feet of double-walled, 6" flue pipe (??) cost me a little over $100 (neighbor is an HVAC guy and bought it for me at his wholesaler).
The fun part was carrying all those bricks and mortar down a ladder then a full flight of stairs... |
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