Expert: James Ball - 2/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: i am selling my house and a potential buyers inspector notice the flue was touching the framing board of the chimney . he said must have 2' inch clearance ,This is on a 30 degree elbow . my question is how should i cut this board or move it .Also they have sprayed foam on it as a seal around the top and it dripped down . is that a combustible ?

ANSWER: Hello Jack, yes the insulation and b some how you have to get that 2" to combustibles every where around that pipe (Unless you have the original installation instruction that state "zero clearance" for the pipe" I am wondering why the pipe was touching all these years, did it shift or drop in the chase?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


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

QUESTION: thanks , no shifting or dropping , just the way they built it . the house was built in 2001 and i bought it in 2006 . the strait length of the flue sticker says 2 inch clearance ,but the elbows sticker does not say anything about clearance .

Answer
Welcome back JAck an elbow is the weakest part of that system I would say minimum 2" more that 2" at an Elbow of clearance, re member that is not a straight piece it has joints making it very weak. give this system the 2" minimum it needs. with out removing supporting structure
James