Expert: James Ball - 3/25/2009

Question
I have a gas furnace and hot water heater that vent into a chimney.  I am currently in the process of remodling my kitchen.  It would be excellent if I could get 5 more inches for the cabinets.  What I want to know is if I can remove 5 inches of the cement that surrounds the flu to make room for the cabinents.

Answer
Hello Gaile, with out seeing it I would say no. I would not start eating away at a chimney it might do some thing to make it fall, reduce the clearance to combustibles and might start a fire.
You could 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 they might be able to offer a suggestion
James