You are here:

Chimney & Fireplaces/Rebrick or frame chimney

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/18/2006


Question
I have a brick chimney with severe deterioration above roof line and some deterioration close to the ground where the 2x2 size tapers out to the 2x4 size.  I have gotten estimates to tear down and rebuild or to just repair the roof line up and seal the remaining bricks. I'm concerned that if I do the top only, the lower bricks might be a problem later.

THis chimney is for a converted to gas fireplace.  I was wondering the cost/ benefit of tearing down all the brick and just having built a box in frame with a pipe insert only from the ground up to as high as I need to and have it sided.  

THanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Lou,

I can't answer a question like this from a distance-except to say that we do a lot of roofline-up rebuilds without any future problems.

Make certain that the bricks do NOT get "sealed". I recommend a breathable product designed specifically for chimneys called ChimneySaver.

Bart Ogden

Chimney & Fireplaces

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.