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Chimney & Fireplaces/chimney flue liners, oval clay

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Expert: - 11/23/2006


Question
Hi Bert,
I have a 1960 built steel reinforced chimney, and the bottom oval liner is cracked vertically from the bottom of it to the top.  You can look up through the throat with a flashlight and see the crack.  I think the contractor said it's a hairlike crack or hairline crack, but it is visible, that's for sure.  He, the contractor, said per some organization, NFPA 211, I'm required to replace it, repair it, reline the whole flue with a steel liner, or rebuild the chimney from that point up with the LA Detail.  Naturally, rebuilding 11 feet of the chimney is more costly than the other options.  He said because the chimney is steel reinforced there's no way I can repair it legally, and if I reline it with these s. steel liners, I will have to reduce the size of my fireplace cause the ratio will be changed and smoke won't go up the chimney like it does now.  
Question: Isn't there some way, legal, that the crack in the liner can be repaired without taking it out?  He says it can't be removed because it's surrounded with concrete and aggregates (rocks)? Thanks very much for your help.
Don  

Answer
Hi Don,

There is no approved way of repairing vitreous clay flue tiles.

Your contractor is correct and I recommned rebuilding the chimney as the flue tiles will be nearly impossible to remove in this situation.

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

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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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