Expert: Bart Ogden - 1/5/2009

Question
Hello Bart,
   last winter I installed a payne furnace 80% efficiency in my house and since then I have noticed the paint began to bubble on the wall originating from were the chimney runs up and spreading out. We also had a new roof put on that same fall and have only owned the house since the spring of 2007. with all the new things I am having trouble finding the origination of the water. I tarred around the flashing on the chimney and planned to put a cap on it to stop anything coming from the top when I got up there I found this chimney does not have a tile running down the middle so there was nothing to hook the cap to. Most of the water damage seems to be on the first floor that is why I think it has something to do with the furnace. I would be very appreciative of any Ideas you could give me. Is there anything I can do to stop the water before anymore damage is done that is relatively inexpensive even if temporary. Is this furnace "high efficient" enough to be causing this problem.

      Thanks for any recommendations,
                                 Nate

Answer
Hi Nate,

It sounds like the flue is oversized since the new higher-efficiency furnace was installed and condensation is occurring within the system.

You'll probably need to have that relined and resized with a stainless steel chimney lining system.  The new lining system may need to be insulated as well.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem.

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
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NFI Certified Wood Specialist
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