Expert: James Ball - 2/11/2011

Question
my wife and i live in san francisco.  we got our chimney inspected and evaluated by a company with a csia certified inspector and were told that in order for us to use our fireplace safely a clay flue tile needed to be replaced.  that was over six months ago.  apparently, since our house was built in the 1930's, no companies make the flue tile anymore.  the chimney company only suggested a gas insert as an option.  they say that they can't even find someone willing to make it.  is this common?  what can we as homeowners do?

Answer
Hello Daryl, there are a few things you can do, if this is a masonry chimney flue (it sounds like it) you can brake it out and reline it (cost $10-15,000 ish) do a spray coating system, (sprays the walls and coats all cracks and gaps)  ($2-5,000) and a few others
contact another certified sweep and see what they say
James