Chimney & Fireplaces/Spring loaded damper

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Expert: - 10/22/2008


Question
Hi Bart, and thank you for your time. My wife and I are about to purchase a home built in 1964. It has a fireplace in the living room tha on the exterior of the home is stone faced. While there is no damage to the exterior that would cause concern, our home inspector has stated that the damper inside the fireplace is rotted out. He suggested installing a spring loaded damper and explained that it's simply a cap with a spring on top of the chimney which is controlled with a chain that is dropped through the chimney. Seems simple enough, bur what I am concerned about is the likelihood that there may be other damage inside the chimney that could have CAUSED the original damper to rot. I will obviously be getting a few estimates for the repair, but in your experience, what am I getting into? For reference, the home is located in Lehigh Valley PA. Thanks again ! -Gary

Answer
Hi Gary,

Your home inspector should have recommended a Level 2 Chimney Inspection by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to determine the fireplace system's condition.

A Level 2 Inspection is recommended bythe National Fire Protection Association during any transfer in property ownership.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do a Level 2 Inspection and on-site diagnosis of your problem.  At that time, they can recommend a proper course of repair.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A . Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice  316-265-9828
Fax  316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com
CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member

Chimney & Fireplaces

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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