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Chimney & Fireplaces/Cracked chimney flue - vent free gas logs

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Expert: - 2/1/2008


Question
We had our chimney serviced recently and was told the flue had cracks and would need repair.  This is a very costly venture.   We were thinking of maybe installing vent free natural gas logs.  Do you see a problem with this as with vent free the damper would be closed anyway?  Another thought, we were toying with maybe putting the house up for sale later on.  If we have had the vent free logs installed, would the chimney pass a possible inspection for the gas log use only or would we probably be required to repair the chimney.  I really hate putting that kind of money into repairing the flue when we will never burn wood in it again.  Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions.

Answer
Larry,

To be honest with you, I'm not a fan of vent free anything. I sarcastically refer these units as "lung vented" appliances. That being said, they are completely legal and should not concern the damaged flue liner. On the question of re-sale, I can tell you that my state of California, this damage would be discovered and or you would be required to disclose your knowledge of the damage at the vary least. If you failed to disclose your knowledge of this damage, than you could be liable and be required to repair, even after the sale. I would consider a direct vent gas insert fireplace to bypass the damage and provide efficient heat.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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