Expert: James Ball - 12/17/2008

Question
I have a leak in the wall caused by the chimney according to roof specialist. I had a chimney specialist looked at it and he said, the chimney cap need change, so I agreed. He said if the leak persists, he will try watering down with a hose.  He also inspected the chimney and he showed me in the computer screen, 2 separate spots where the edge of the flue appeared bent up like less than 2 inches, other than that the flue looks ok. What material are flues made of? - (mine made by Perfection House). Is it true these bent flue can be a fire hazard?

Answer
Hello May, I am not sure what type of chimney you have or why you are getting the water in. but it sounds like it is a metal flue and if so and the edges are bent up where they connect then yes it can be a fire hazard and soot, creosote, heat flame  can get into that "bent" area and burn through, now should it be replaced? that I do not know with out seeing it. I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have.
James