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Chimney & Fireplaces/chimney brick breaking up

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Expert: - 10/1/2009


Question
QUESTION: Hi Randy,
We had our chimney rebuilt last summer, better flashing and a nice cap were added. During the winter we began to notice chunks of brick on our driveway and realized it was coming from our new chimney. We never had this problem with the original one that had been on the house for 113 yrs. We had a new boiler installed 8 yrs ago. The pieces of brick we were finding seem very light and porus for chimney brick. What type of brick should be used and would sealing the brick have been recommended.
Thanks, Kathy

ANSWER: Kathy,

If your chimney was just built last summer, and bricks are falling off, you have bigger issues than water proofing. I would contact the mason that built the chimney and have them resolve the issue.

As for the brick choice, I would have to say the main concern is the flue liner, that should be terra cotta or pumas or a listed liner system like stainless steel. The brick simply constructs the chase and should not act as the interior liner. i hope this helps and certainly have that chimney looked at. good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The bricks aren't falling off, just breaking up. We did contact the mason and he claimed no fault.

Answer
Kathy,

Bricks breaking up or spalling as we call it may be related to water entry. I would recommend having an NFPA-211 level II inspection performed on your system to determine the cause and offer a solution. Please use the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com to find an inspector in your area. Good luck.

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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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