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Collapsing metalbestos insulated chimney (C) Daniel Friedman Chimney Repair Methods

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to repair damaged chimneys: repairs to cracks, leaning, chimney foundations, chimney separation from the building, or repairs / re-lining of damaged chimney flues.

Chimney repair guides:

This article outlines and provides links to detailed articles about all types of repairs for masonry and metal chimneys and flues.

These articles on chimneys and chimney safety provide detailed suggestions describing how to perform a thorough visual inspection of chimneys for safety and other defects. Chimney inspection methods and chimney repair methods are also discussed.

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Index to Key Articles on Methods for Repairing Chimneys & Flues

Photograph of a damaged masonry chimney.Here we list key articles useful for repairing various chimney defects.

Inserting a stainless steel liner into a gas fired heating boiler flue, Two Harbors MN 2022 (C) InspectApedia.com A/H Church

Above: re-lining a gas boiler flue in Two Harbors, MN. in January, 2022. Chimney repair and re-lining choices are described in the Chimney Re-lining Choices article just below.

 

Chimney Repair by Reconstruction or Replacement

Split brick chimney in a basement (C) Daniel FriedmanWatch out: some chimneys may be in such poor condition that repair by re-lining is not an option.

The split brick chimney shown here was beyond repair and unsafe for any use whatsoever. It is described more fully

at SPLIT OPENINGS in BRICKS, CHIMNEY COLLAPSE.

Chimney Replacement - Reconstruction

If a chimney is badly damaged re-lining may not be a sensible approach. For example a masonry chimney that is leaning or badly cracked, settling, moving, may be too un-stable to risk its continued use. Relining an un-stable chimney is likely to remain un-safe.

This evaluation needs to be made regardless of whether the original chimney is masonry (brick, stone, concrete block), or a metal chimney or a wood chimney chase surrounding a metal chimney.

A badly damaged metal chimney usually needs complete replacement.

A collapsing masonry chimney or a masonry chimney that is tipping, buckling, leaning because of an inadequate footing probably has to be re-built.

Chimney Repair by Abandonment for Alternative Venting

Vent Drip (C) Daniel Friedman

Photo: a direct vent oil-fired heating boiler.

Lower cost alternatives to re-building a masonry chimney might include removing the chimney and installing a metal zero-clearance insulated chimney or where exhaust distances and other building features permit, you might eliminate a chimney entirely, going to a direct-vent exhaust system instead.

Chimney abandonment for direct venting is not a chimney repair or relining choice but rather describes the case of replacing heating equipment and/or its venting system with a direct side-wall venting system that eliminates the traditional chimney entirely. See details

at DIRECT VENTS / SIDE WALL VENTS

Watch out: improperly-abandoned chimneys can cause building damage from leaks and may in some cases may be unsafe, risking collapse onto occupants.

See ABANDONED CHIMNEYS

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-07-29 by (mod) - Remove & Replace a Bad Clay Tile & Lower new tiles without disassembling the chimney

@Marquez

Please find your question and our detailed reply now at

CHIMNEY REPAIR: REPLACE CLAY FLUE TILES

On 2020-07-29 by MarquezErnest@yahoo.com - How do i lower a clay 2' section down 4' to the secure tile with out dropping it?

How do i lower a clay 2' section down 4' to the secure tile with out dropping in is there a tool that expands or something.

Question:

(Jan 2, 2015) Anonymous said:
I just bought a home has gas furnace in attic but vent disconnected. I can see they had it taped into the brick chimney from wood stove. Would that be ok or do I need to install new roof jack and keep the furnace and stove separate.

Reply:

Anon

Sending gas furnace exhaust into a brick chimney MIGHT be safe and functional depending on the condition of the chimney. But sharing flues between different heaters on different floors is prohibited, unsafe, and creates functional problems.

Question:

(Apr 9, 2015) Anonymous said:
how can you repair vertical cracks in a brick chimney. Cracks go through mortar and bricks. Chimney does not appear to be moving

Reply:

Anon

I'd want to

1. have a chimney sweep inspect the safety and integrity of the flue

2. diagnose the cause of cracking

then we can decide if a masonry repair is sufficient or if we need have the chimney re-lined, or in more extreme cases re-built.

Watch out: cracks and leaks in chimneys are unsafe.


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Continue reading at CHIMNEY REPAIRS, TOP & CLAY FLUE TILE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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CHIMNEY REPAIR METHODS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to CHIMNEYS & FLUES

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