Chimney & Fireplaces/brick chimney in FL

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Expert: - 11/9/2007


Question
i recently moved in to a new rental house and it has a very nice fireplace with a brick mantel. the outside of the chimney itself is all brick. we haven't had a fire in it yet. is there a way to tell if it needs to be clean before we light a fire? the house was built in the 1920's. i grew up around a wood burning stove so i know the types of wood to burn but since the house is a rental no telling what the previous occupants burned in it. also, do you know a ball park idea of how much it would cost for a pro to look at it if we decide to have it cleaned/inspected. the landlord didn't seem concerned about us using the fireplace and he'd be the one to loose the house if there was a chimney fire. again like i said we're in FL so it's not like the fireplace was used 4 months straight every year. the top of the chimney has a piece of chicken wire over it (to prevent critters i guess) and i don't see a dapper you can close and open so i guess it stays open all the time. when it rains we hear water dripping slowly into the fireplace.
thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi Sara,

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis and inspection of your system.

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, 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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