Chimney & Fireplaces/Asbestos chimneys

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Expert: - 1/31/2005


Question
Hello there Bart,

I live in Cyprus (EU).

I built my house 5 years ago, and I installed two different chimneys. One was the fireplace chimney and the other is the boiler chimney for petrol central heating. The latter was installed on the outside of the back yard wall, and the fireplace one passes through one floor and ends up on the roof. Both of them are asbestos chimneys. I remember doing a small web research some time ago and I didn't think asbestos was risky for our health when left undisturbed. In the past couple of weeks there is a lot of fuss overhere about some old government building still using asbestos roofs, so my wife DEMANDED proof that our asbestos chimneys do not pose any health threads (-:

My questions are these:

1. If I remember correctly, in order for asbestos to become dangerous, it has to be disturbed in such a way that it realeases its particles in the air where it can be breathed?

2. Is the chimney on the outside affected by weather conditions, thus causing health risks?

3. Is the chimney on the inside affected by the heat or use over the years? I'm even concerned about the cleaning of the chimney. Can a brush cleaning cause problems?

Thanks a lot Bart.

Anthos


Answer
Hello Anthos,

1.  This is correct.

2.  If it's outside, I don't feel it's a problem.  Other people might consider that it is, though.

3.  I don't know about cleaning an asbestos chimney as we do not do that in the U.S. anymore.  I would recommend that it be replaced if I found it during a service call.  If you're cleaning it, you're disturbing it and the particles are becoming airborne.

Asbestos is not something to mess around with.  It has been shown to be a killer.

I hope I've answered your questions and thanks for using AllExperts.com.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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