21
votes
Why does a builder think this chimney is about to collapse?
How can he know just by a visual inspection?
Your second photo shows that the top left may have been pointed sometime in the past 20 years; the rest hasn't seen maintenance in considerably longer.
...
- 11.5k
13
votes
Accepted
Rebuilt chimney still leaking
I'm judging by fuzzy photographs, but the flashing seems to have been done incorrectly. When done right, shingles and step flashing alternate such that any water running under one is still on top of ...
- 144k
10
votes
Black tar like substance and streaks on attic roof and stains on chimney
I would suspect fungus on the chimney, possibly due to poor weatherproofing on top. If water is leaking and absorbing into the masonry it would support all manner of living things. You would need to ...
- 144k
9
votes
Why does a builder think this chimney is about to collapse?
If you don't trust a professional's advice, get a second opinion.
You generally want to get three evaluations and price quotes anyway, unless you do trust them.
- 32.1k
7
votes
Accepted
How do I prevent a water heater pilot light from blowing out on windy days?
As wind blows against a building some areas experience a rise in air pressure and other areas experience a drop in air pressure. That difference in pressure can cause a surprising draft through the ...
- 32.1k
6
votes
Black tar like substance and streaks on attic roof and stains on chimney
The black on the chimney is probably moss. And if other houses of the same age have it too, then its probably fine.
The black tar is probably tar or some sort of wax. It was probably transferred ...
- 7,052
5
votes
Accepted
What's the deal with this (fake?) chimney on my house?
Your dad is wrong. Chimneys have been used for non-fireplace heating systems since the days of the Franklin Stove.
Also, remember that the interior of the house may have been drastically rearranged ...
- 32.1k
5
votes
Accepted
Chimney cleanout full of water. Basement leaking
I added a chimney cap, and the leaking was significantly reduced during rains.
(Image from http://Lowes.com)
I later noticed that during rain, water was pooling on the ground near the chimney. So I ...
- 460
5
votes
Should I fill the gap between sleeve and chimney structure?
I do not know if it is necessary to actually fill it, but as a minimum I would use metal to create a collar to keep it stationary and to keep the weather, bats and other critters from causing future ...
- 1,271
5
votes
Sealing siding around a chimney
You need to install aluminum or copper flashing all around chimney perimeter that would overlap vertically down from the top of the siding by at least 5–10 inches down.
You would need to grind out a ...
- 145
5
votes
Relocating or removing old vent hood outlet/receptacle
The proper way to get rid of a box like that is to go back to the prior box and run a new, longer, cable from there. That is often a lot of work, so I can see why the electrician didn't do that. You ...
5
votes
Rebuilt chimney still leaking
Isherwood is correct - this looks like very poor flashing. I would also add that the lead has not been well formed into the corner. If you are exposed to driving rain in high wind this would ...
- 51
4
votes
How can I tell if this is a gas or wood burning fireplace
That is a wood burning masonry fireplace with a gas log lighter. Gas fireplaces aren't supposed to have dampers, so the damper lets you know that it was originally designed for wood. The log lighter ...
- 51
4
votes
Chimney still leaking despite reflashing and coating
Water gets into a chimney by one (or more) of five ways:
Via the actual opening of the flues
Yours have metal covers, so this is probably okay.
Via missing, cracked or deteriorated flaunching on the ...
- 3,331
4
votes
Accepted
Can I put a box fan in a chimney to help circulate out hot summer air?
A cheap box fan will not push air through any enclosed structure like a chimney unless it is sealed into the opening so air will not just recirculate around the blade. Also, a fan used to move air ...
- 12.5k
4
votes
Accepted
Went to a house viewing, saw this 'deprecated' open gas pipe off the floor, can it be cut?
The only way to answer that is to trace the pipe to find out if it's disconnected at its other end. If it isn't, you want a gasfitter to do that.
- 32.1k
3
votes
Inspection of flue from fireplace
Of course if you can get a camera up (or down) the flue then you might be able to see excessive build up of carbon (etc.) deposits. However, it will be as black as can be up there and the small light ...
- 3,331
3
votes
Damp patch on the chimney wall
...This is one school of thought: seal the chimney to prevent air flow. By preventing air flow, you also prevent the flow of moisture the air carries with it, and the formation of condensation on the ...
3
votes
Accepted
Repair Leaking Roof/Chimney In Winter
No. That would be like sealing the bottom side of a sponge--moisture will travel through it to emerge in other areas.
You can probably accomplish the repair even in winter. A water hose will quickly ...
- 144k
3
votes
1920s stove pipe walled off behind kitchen
It almost certainly is in sections, but to get the first section out you'll have to get the T away from the wall.
Asbestos putties were really common. That said you have a choice, pull it out and ...
- 11k
3
votes
Accepted
Chimney damper does not open
You need to slide that handle over to the larger slot and then pull it down or push it up.
Ok, good you got it. It was hard to tell from the picture which way it operated. You could try some WD-40 but ...
- 83.8k
3
votes
Accepted
Replace rotted plywood sheathing behind stucco
I'm fairly certain the correct way to fix this is "rip off the stucco, replace the rotten wood, apply new stucco."
- 223k
3
votes
Accepted
What is the best way to drill anchor holes in a chimney?
You need to drill this from the inside, because that’s the critical location for the tie-back to be connected. Level and inline with the joist will be close enough by virtue of following the bottom of ...
- 23.1k
3
votes
How is the baffle board of this stove able to heat up without combusting?
Ceramic (and "non-ceramic" or silica-free - less hazardous to handle) wool is a common refractory material that's flexible/soft. The product sequece generically would be from Asbestos (...
- 223k
3
votes
Accepted
Need high temperature edge-grip seal for flue
That looks like the correct one, I found it through my own googling and realised it was the same as yours.
I would contact them for your use case. The style of chimney you have looks like the edges ...
- 7,052
3
votes
Why type of drywall-like material to use on a gas fireplace?
Tile backer board / cementboard is fairly standard in this application, since the demise of asbestos-cement board as a product any sane person would use or make/sell.
- 223k
3
votes
Relocating or removing old vent hood outlet/receptacle
I feel your pain. To totally remove the box will require moving the cable/s in the box. There isn't enough info about that to properly answer how.
The easiest alternative is to put a blank cover on ...
- 38.2k
3
votes
Is visible daylight between lead flashing and the chimney brick stack normal?
I am not an expert on brick chimney flashings. If this is horizontal then there shouldn't be daylight like this.
But it would be difficult to install flashing on a rough brick surface and make it ...
- 7,052
3
votes
Is visible daylight between lead flashing and the chimney brick stack normal?
I'm not a professional but to me that flashing is pretty obviously no good. (see update below)
It looks to me like you have one piece of metal that was bent into a stair-step pattern with additional ...
- 1,828
2
votes
Removing lower section of an old chimney?
Safety is a concern but truthfully, I did it! 3- 2X6’s on the floor of the 2nd level. Took out everything below with a sledge. NEVER AGAIN! These guys are correct. Brick is very heavy, dirty and an ...
- 21
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