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Chimney & Fireplaces/Cavity behind brick fireplace wall?

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Expert: - 10/18/2007


Question
Bart,

Hope you can help.  I’d like to run some conduit and other miscellaneous audio/video cables directly over my mantle.  I’ve done quite a bit of wiring through studded walls in my life and I’m comfortable from an electrical standpoint.  However, I’m not very familiar with the construction of a brick wall / hearth / fireplace / chimney.  

My entire house is built with 2X4 studded exterior walls, except for the one wall with the fireplace in my family room.  That wall is brick from floor to ceiling (1st floor only, not second floor) and the length of room.  My question…would you expect there to be a cavity of some sort behind the brick wall over the mantle suitable for running conduit and other wires?  If so, what would be the easiest access point (i.e. from the first floor ceiling, from the basement, removing a single brick, etc.)?  My home was built in 1984 in a northern climate (near Chicago).  

Thanks,
Kevin


Answer
Hi Kevin,

I would love to answer your question, but there's no easy answer for you without physically opeining up the chimney to see what's there.

Most of the time there will be no room to run anything in that cavity.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
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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