Photograph of a brick chimney separating from the building.

Chimney Leaning, Building Separation, Movement - Inspection, Diagnosis, Repair
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Detailed Inspection & Photo Guide to leaning chimneys or chimneys that are separating from the building
Leaning or tilting chimney diagnosis & repair advice
Investigation methods for diagnosing chimney gaps, leaning, movement
Distinguishing among causes of chimney movement or separation from the building
Questions & answers about the diagnosis & repair of moving or leaning chimneys

This article describes the detection and diagnosis of leaning or separating chimneys that have moved away from their building. Because a moving masonry chimney is likely to be unsafe, risking fire and carbon monoxide gas hazards, inspectors and building owners need to be alert for clues indicating that the chimney has moved or is experiencing ongoing movement. Expert chimney evaluation and repair are required.

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Chimney Leaning, Building Separation, Movement - Outdoors

The observation of evidence of movement in chimneys was introduced at Chimney Inspection Outdoors From Ground and continues here in detail. Readers should also be sure to review additional chimney moment and hazards discussed at Chimney Crack & Collapse Risks, Repairs. Also see Curved Brick Chimneys.

Photograph of a curved chimney separating from a building, viewed from outside (C) Daniel Friedman

Chimney inspection from ground level (C) Daniel Friedman

The first photo at above left shows even from a distance that the chimney is curved, so we'd be alert for flue damage or for evidence that the chimney has separated from the building. Any movement in a masonry chimney risks damage to its interior liner and could be a safety concern.

A chimney may appear to curve away from the building at mid-height (above left) when it has not been properly secured to the building with lateral support.

Curved brick masonry chimneys may also be caused by a combination of lacking an interior flue liner and sulphation - a process we describe in detail at Curved Brick Chimneys.

The second photo at above right shows a chimney to viewed from the ground, with our camera zoomed, and photographed during a rainstorm - not an unusual inspection conation. We can see some incomplete repairs to a brick at the chimney top and other spalled, loose bricks. This chimney needs further inspection and probably some repairs, as well as a rain cap.

The condition of the top exterior section of the chimney and the exposed flue liner will generally reveal the soundness of the chimney above the roof line. The exterior of the upper portion of a chimney can be seen from the ground level though not in detail.

Below we begin our photos and detailed investigation of evidence of chimneys that are cracked, leaning, or separated from their building. We identify clues indicating chimney movement, evaluate the extent of chimney movement, the probability of internal flue damage (an unsafe condition and a fire and carbon monoxide hazard), the probable cause of chimney separation and movement, and the chimney repairs that are needed.

Chimney Movement detected outdoors: movement such as curving (see Curved Brick Chimneys) or leaning or separation from the building, especially in masonry chimneys, can cause damage to the flue liner or openings that might admit sparks (fire risk) or gases (carbon monoxide hazards) into the building structure or even into occupied spaces.

The photographs just above show a chimney which probably lacked a good footing, possibly aggravated in its lean by roof spillage onto the area where a footing should have hold the chimney steady. Movement at both of these chimneys has been significant, the chimney interior and fireplace are likely to be damaged and unsafe, and major repairs are needed.

Goofy Moving Chimney Repairs and Attempts to Hide Chimney Movement

Attempts to hide chimney movement can be dangerous since if there is a safety problem the building owner or inspector may not pick up its clues.

The fresh and thick band of caulk between the chimney and the wall as shown in this photograph were traced to a chimney separation that had been "repaired" simply by more caulking at the wall.

Because caulk is flexible, if it has been recently applied caulking may hide an ongoing chimney movement problem. But even if the chimney is no longer moving (or we think it is not moving) an inspection for flue safety and fireplace safety are essential.

We provide a series of articles on diagnosing chimney cracks and movement include Chimney Movement - Causes, then Chimney Movement - Ongoing vs Static where we describe determining whether chimney movement is ongoing. Readers diagnosing chimney movement and foundation problems should also see Chimney Leaning, Separation, Movement-Outdoors, and Chimney Leaning, Separation, Movement. Also see Chimney Crack & Collapse Risks. Repairs for moving chimneys are discussed at Leaning Chimney Repair Methods.

Readers should also be sure to review Cracked Concrete Block Chimneys which we discuss under Chimney Crack & Collapse Risks, Repairs, and also Chimney Crack Detection & Diagnosis and
Curved Brick Chimneys which provide other examples of cracking, moving masonry.

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Questions & answers about the diagnosis & repair of moving or leaning chimneys.

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Technical Reviewers & References

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Chimney Leaning, Separation, Movement
  Chimney Movement, Indoor Clues
  Chimney Movement, Causes
  Chimney Movement, Ongoing vs Static
  Chimney Footing Defective / Missing
  Foundation Support for Masonry Chimneys
  Leaning Chimney Repair Methods

Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Luke Barnes for suggesting that we add text regarding the hazards of shared chimney flues. USMA - Sept. 2008.
Arlene Puentes, an ASHI member and a licensed home inspector in Kingston, NY, and has served on ASHI national committees as well as HVASHI Chapter President. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
Roger Hankey is principal of Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN, technical review by Roger Hankey, prior chairman, Standards Committee, American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI. 952 829-0044 - hankeyandbrown.com
NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
NFPA #211-3.1 1988 - Specific to chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel burning appliances.
NFPA # 54-7.1 1992 - Specific to venting of equipment with fan-assisted combustion systems.
GAMA - Gas Appliance Manufacturers' Association has prepared venting tables for Category I draft hood equipped central furnaces as well as fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces.
National Fuel Gas Code, an American National Standard, 4th ed. 1988 (newer edition is available) Secretariats, American Gas Association (AGA), 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA22209, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02269. ANSI Z223.1-1988 - NFPA 54-1988. WARNING: be sure to check clearances and other safety guidelines in the latest edition of these standards.
Fire Inspector Guidebook, A Correlation of Fire Safety Requirements Contained in the 1987 BOCA National Codes, (newer edition available), Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), Country Club HIlls, IL 60478 312-799-2300 4th ed. Note: this document is reissued every four years. Be sure to obtain the latest edition.
Uniform Mechanical Code - UMC 1991, Sec 913 (a.) Masonry Chimneys, refers to Chapters 23, 29, and 37 of the Building Code.
New York 1984 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, Article 10, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Requirements
New York 1979 Uniform Fire Prevention & Building Code, The "requirement" for 8" of solid masonry OR for use of a flue liner was listed in the One and Two Family Dwelling Code for New York, in 1979, in Chapter 9, Chimneys and Fireplaces, New York 1979 Building and Fire Prevention Code:
"Top Ten Chimney (and related) Problems Encountered by One Chimney Sweep," Hudson Valley ASHI education seminar, 3 January 2000, contributed by Bob Hansen, ASHI
Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
"Rooftop View Turns to Darkness," Martine Costello, Josh Kovner, New Haven Register, 12 May 1992 p. 11: Catherine Murphy was sunning on a building roof when a chimney collapsed; she fell into and was trapped inside the chimney until rescued by emergency workers.
"Chimneys and Vents," Mark J. Reinmiller, P.E., ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 1 No. 2 July 1991 p. 34-38.
"Chimney Inspection Procedures & Codes," Donald V. Cohen was to be published in the first volume of the 1994 ASHI Technical Journal by D. Friedman, then editor/publisher of that publication. The production of the ASHI Technical Journal and future editions was cancelled by ASHI President Patrick Porzio. Some of the content of Mr. Cohen's original submission has been included in this more complete chimney inspection article: InspectAPedia.com/chimneys/Chimney_Inspection.htm. Copies of earlier editions of the ASHI Technical Journal are available from ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Natural Gas Weekly Update: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/ngw/ngupdate.asp Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government
US Energy Administration: Electrical Energy Costs http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Fireplace & Chimney Design, Repair Books - Fireplaces, Chimneys: design, repair
Fireplace & Chimney Inspection Books - Inspecting and diagnosing chimney problems, fireplace problems, chimney & fireplace standards
Ceramic Roofware, Hans Van Lemmen, Shire Library, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0747805694 - Brick chimneys, chimney-pots and roof and ridge tiles have been a feature of the roofs of a wide range of buildings since the late Middle Ages. In the first instance this ceramic roofware was functional - to make the roof weatherproof and to provide an outlet for smoke - but it could also be very decorative.
The practical and ornamental aspects of ceramic roofware can still be seen throughout Britain, particularly on buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Not only do these often have ornate chimneys and roof tiles but they may also feature ornamental sculptures or highly decorative gable ends. This book charts the history of ceramic roofware from the Middle Ages to the present day, highlighting both practical and decorative applications, and giving information about manufacturers and on the styles and techniques of production and decoration.
Hans van Lemmen is an established author on the history of tiles and has lectured on the subject in Britain and elsewhere. He is founder member and presently publications editor of the British Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society. Available at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
Chimney & Stack Inspection Guidelines, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2003 - These guidelines address the inspection of chimneys and stacks. Each guideline assists owners in determining what level of inspection is appropriate to a particular chimney and provides common criteria so that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the scope of the inspection and the end product required. Each chimney or stack is a unique structure, subject to both aggressive operating and natural environments, and degradation over time. Such degradation may be managed via a prudent inspection program followed by maintenance work on any equipment or structure determined to be in need of attention. Sample inspection report specifications, sample field inspection data forms, and an example of a developed plan of a concrete chimney are included in the guidelines. This book provides a valuable guidance tool for chimney and stack inspections and also offers a set of references for these particular inspections.
Fireplaces, a Practical Design Guide, Jane Gitlin
Fireplaces, Friend or Foe, Robert D. Mayo
NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & Wood Heating (Principles of Home Inspection), Carson Dunlop
U.S. vs. Canadian Unlined Masonry Chimney Flue Requirements & Case Study
NFPA 211 - 3-1.10 - Relining guide for chimneys
NFPA 211 - 3-2 - Construction of Masonry Chimneys
NFPA 211 - 3-3 - Termination Height for chimneys
NFPA 211 - 3-4 - Clearance from Combustible Material
NFPA 54 - 7-1 - Venting of Equipment into chimneys
Brick Institute of America - Flashing Chimneys
Brick Institute of America - Proper Chimney Crowns
Brick Institute of America - Moisture Resistance of Brick
American Gas Association - New Vent Sizing Tables
Chimney Safety Institute of America - Chimney Fires: Causes, Effects, Evaluation
National Chimney Sweep Guild - Yellow Pages of Suppliers
...

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Chimney Leaning, Building Separation, Movement - Outdoors

Goofy Moving Chimney Repairs and Attempts to Hide Chimney Movement

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair