Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 5/17/2011

Question
The brick chimney was removed for the woodstove.  A gas fireplace was installed.
Water leaks into the hole where the woodstove was.  It has been dug down to the round part, tarred and cemented.
Now it is leaking into the hole in the wall in the basement.
Apparently now they have to dig down to footings and remove all of the remaining chimney,
What can be done to ensure no more leaks and how should this workd be done?
Thanks

Answer
Hi ilona, to answer this question completely without seeing the problem in person would be a crap shoot.  Basically you have to start at the lowest point and start closing up the opening at the foundation, making sure there is good drainage to keep the water away from the old hole.  From this low point the wall is patched all the way up using good materials and sealants.  Where the old chimney stood the wall siding should have been patched together properly from day one..if you have lap siding this area can be stitched nicely together so that you wouldn't even know that there was a chimney there at one time.  That's about all I can say at this point but yes you need to do this repair from the foundation up..sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com