Expert: James Ball - 7/6/2011

Question
Hi, we just bought a home that has 2 chimneys, one is not in use, capped off and the other is leaning and in need of serious repair, missing mortar, holes in brickwork within attic.

Can the chimneys actually be eliminated and have some sort of
direct venting from the furnace in the cellar to outside through the foundation.

What are our options, I imagine a liner would work too, the roof will also need to be replaced, we are thinking of having the chimneys both brought down under the roof line and capped off and have a new roof installed.
Thank You

Answer
Hello Jack, if the heating/water heater units you have can be direct vented then go for it (contact your heating contractor) if  not you can upgrade your systems) or you could install a new "all Fuel, Class "A" Chimney and vent into that and then remove the existing chimneys, but 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