Comments on: Fireplace Chimney Maintenance

By: Tenn Gal

Tenn Gal — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:55:59 +0000

Have an inspector check it out first to see how structurally sound the fireplace is. A chimney sweep can clean the inside of the chimney.
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By: Greg T

Greg T — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:53:59 +0000

No doubt about it, get a professional to look at it and repair it. Take a look at the statistics at NFPA.org on all the fires caused by faulty chimneys and/or fireboxes. This is definitely an area of your new home you don’t want to go cheap on. The exterior integrity of your chimney can have a lot of impact on the interior integrity and functionality. So get a professional to look at it and make it right
References :
http://www.nfpa.org

By: cgminime

cgminime — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:51:59 +0000

Have someone come and inspect the liner. Maybe it is just the outside bricks that need to be tuck pointed. And if you can't afford to do that, you can check into tearing the old brick off then framing it in for residing.
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By: billy g

billy g — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:49:59 +0000

Secure a mesh wire to chimney then parge. You can get more details and material at a local block or brick supplier.I would sugest a place specializing in these products you will get better materials and advice. P.S. I would also suggest tearing out old counter and installing flashing which your parge can cover yet still allow flashing on roof to go behind.
(some proffesional assistance may be nec. it is hard to explain to someone with no experience.) (parge is basicaly like stucco)
Before parging you must remove mortar dust (joints between brick) untill reaching solid material to bond to if solid material cant be found you must rebuild.
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Started in masonry when 12 been roofing since 20 and i’m 32 now.

By: Darby

Darby — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:47:59 +0000

Oh boy, you don't want to mess with the chimney. Look for a mason to give you advice.
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By: Pfuzzy

Pfuzzy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:45:59 +0000

It depends on the age of the chimney . If its older it would be prudent to clean it and rebuild it prior to considering using it. The brick work is what protects the rest of the house from the fire within the chimney. Each brick also serves to support the load of the whole stack. Needless to say in this case there is no cheap and safe way to do this.
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By: chameleon

chameleon — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:43:59 +0000

Call a brick mason and get the job done right. Have the chimney inspected to make sure nothing is crumbling inside. If there is and the chimney is blocked up it could be dangerous.
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By: red.jeep3s

red.jeep3s — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:41:04 +0000

Chimney maintenance/repair.?
We just bought a house from an estate which has been vacant for 5 years. The fireplace is beautiful inside, but the chimney bricks on the outside appear to be crumbling. Is there a way to preserve the chimney without rebuilding it? We could put siding around it but I don’t know if that would prevent further damage. Any ideas?