Expert: James Ball - 6/5/2009

Question
We just had our chimney inspected because I noticed a lot of cracks and it's falling apart at the top. It also appears to be leaning. They told me they have to build a whole new one. My question is: Why do I need a chimney? What is the purpose? We don't have a fireplace or use it for cooking. Why can't we just tear it down?

Answer
Hello Lisa, how are you heating your home? Most homes heat with oil or gas or both, when you burn any thing you have to exhaust the gases to the out side safely and in 99% of the time it goes up and out through a chimney.
options, to power vent that means a fan goes on the out side and pulls the exhaust out but there are restrictions and down sides, speak to your heating contractor. Or direct vent will mean changing your heating equipment also speak to your heating contractor. Or instead of re building the chimney out of masonry you could build a Class "A" chimney (double wall pipe) after removing the old one, goes up in one day in most cases.
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 they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James