Expert: James Ball - 6/16/2011

Question
My chimney was about 5 inches away from the house and top was movable.  It recently came down in the storms that we had here in TN.  The insurance adjuster said, "it did not have enough support brackets and that is why it pulled away."  My question how brackets does one need to support a chimney?  I have come across 7 brackets.  The insurance adjuster said, they could not pay for something that was not built correctly.  Do all insurance companies come out and check support brackets or is it just the Tennessee Farm Bureau that is coming up with this?  
Assistance if possible.  I am taking each brick apart and chiseling away the concrete/mortar from each brick in good faith that I can use the bricks again just in case I want to rebuild.  Are the bricks ok to use again in the rebuilding of the chimney?  I am doing this because TN Farm Bureau will not assist us and my husband is on hospice and so financially I am trying to keep my head above water.  Do you know of any companies that can assist in building if I buy the materials?  Also do you need to get a building permit upon rebuilding a chimney?  Any information would be helpful.  Sincerely,  Jannette

Answer
Hello Jannette, it sounds like this was a masonry brick chimney that was lose? and there are no "supports" that tie it to a home as you would with a metal chimney, there are small "tabs" but it would never hold it, a chimney is supported at the base it is called a "footing" and is separate from the from the foundation of the home. I would start with your local building department and see what is "code" in your area (then show that to the insurance company and see if it will help change their mind, always speak to a supervisor), then what is required to rebuild. IF this chimney is for heating and hot water you might be able to install a "All Flue" metal chimney instead of rebuilding the brick. 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.
If you get me your home address/phone # I might be able to do some thing on my end by contacting the National Chimney Sweep Guild and see if we could make this a work shop to do the repair  but no promise's.
also check with your local Red Cross, they help in some situations
Hope this helps and good luck, please keep me posted
James