Expert: Bart Ogden - 12/10/2006

Question
Dear A. Bart Ogden-
We did take a video of the chimney, there are cracks in the tiles, I suspect the smoke that entered the interior rooms escaped through the cracks in the tile, then cracked the mortar, then entered the rooms.
I understand each situation will be different, but I have to ask; can the tiles be repaired (they are several feet down from the top of the chimney)?

What is the norm to do, expect, or consider when one has a chimney fire that breaches the tiles?

Thank you again for responding.
Sincerely,

jtcom


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Dear A. Bart Ogden-
Thanks for responding,will do an evaluation.
Do you know what the temparture rating on flue tiles (liner) are?
What temparture before they fail?

Thanks for all your help,

jtcom


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Had a chimney fire that vents my wood stove.
Smoke can out from the around the bricks that house the tiles and just about filled the house. Quite a few bricks and mortar are cracked, (les than 1/3). The chimney was not blocked, but the burning seemed to be coming from the sides of the tiles. I am concerened about any damage.

If smoke was coming out from the mortar and brick, I would guess the tiles may be cracked, does this sound right?
From my explanation, what do you think my damage may be

Thanks for any input.

jtcom




The bricks were very hot, and took along time to cool down.


-----Answer-----
Hi JT,

You should NOT use that chimney until it has been properly evaluated by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep.

If the liner is cracked (broken)it must be repaired before any further use.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do a Level 2 Chimney Inspection with Video Scan immediately!

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

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

-----Answer-----
Hi JT,

They are rated at 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, continuous.

They typically break when a substantial temperature differential exists between the inside surface or the tile and the outside surface of the tile.  (Like in the case of a sudden occurrence event, a chimney fire.)

Another scenario is when there is a high stress load placed upon the tiles as in an earthquake, or high wind on the chimney as in a hurricane or tornado.  (All sudden-occurrence events.)

If the tile is exposed to a sudden impact such as a strike from a hammer, it can break.

Finally, tiles can break if they absorb water and the water goes through a freeze-thaw cycle or a water-laden tile is exposed to heat so quickly that steam cannot escape fast enough and ends up rupturing the tile.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

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

Answer
Hi JT,

The tiles can not be repaired by an approved process.

They should be removed and a new, insulated stainless steel or cast-in-place chimney lining system installed.

This is typically an insurable peril on your homeowner's insurance.  Get the documentation from your contractor who video-scanned the flue and submit the proposal for repair for this sudden-occurrence event to your insurance company.

If stainless steel is installed, make sure your contractor uses a blanket or a pour-in insulation as is required by the U.L. listing.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

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