Chimney & Fireplaces/cracked flue pipe

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Expert: - 11/28/2005


Question
My chimney was just cleaned out and was told I had cracks in the terra cotta (guessing) pipe. When I looked at the cracks the widest was probably 1/8 inch if that. The entire pipe is surrounded by concrete block with no less of a width of 4 inches. The entire chimney is constructed by concrete block from the basement thru the first floor (Great room)then thru the ceiling which is a cathedral type (log home). On the outside of the block I have man-made stone. The only place where any type of wood material that comes close to the chimney is where the chimney goes thru the roof. Not all of the pipe is cracked , just certain sections.The entire chimney is exposed on both sides except where it goes thru the 12 inches or so of roof. One side is my bedroom fireplace (separate flue)the other the great room (back-to-back fireplaces). My question is what concerns should I have with these conditions ?

Answer
Broken flue tiles are not suitable for use.  The system should NOT be used until repairs are completed.  There is no way to repair those types of cracks in vitreous clay flue tile - you need a replacement lining system installed.  The system should be relined with a quality stainless steel lining system insulated with either blanket wrap or with a pour-in chimney insulation.  The flue tiles will likely have to be removed (there are tools that are designed to do this work.  The lining system should have a minimum cross-section area of 1/12th the fireplace opening size.

For a Certified Chimney Sweep in your area, try www.csia.org.

Good luck with your project and thanks for using AllExperts.Com!

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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