Chimney & Fireplaces/creosote build-up

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Expert: - 12/7/2006


Question
We built a house 1 year ago and had a masonry fireplace with a tile lining put in.  We use this fireplace for heating the majority of the house in winter.  We did not have it cleaned last year and started using it again this year.  The creosote built up so quickly and we had a small chimney fire.  We called a chimney cleaning service to come and check it.  They said that there are cracked tiles and we need to replace the inside with a metal liner.  The fireplace insert guys (accucraft) said that was not necessary along with our stone mason (who installed it).  What should we do with contradicting answers?  Are the chimney guys just trying to sell us something or are the insert guys covering their behinds (they told us that tile was recommended last year when it was being built)?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Jackie,

If you had a chimney fire and you have cracked tiles (very often happens with a chimney fire) you MUST have the flue relined (typically with stainless steel, insulated with a pour-in insulation like Thermix).  The process often involves removing the existing damaged tile lining system before the new lining system is installed to provide enough room for the new liner and insulation to go in.

The fireplace absolutely should NOT be used until it is properly repaired.

This should be an insurable claim for your homeowner's insurance and should be submitted.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do a Level 2 Inspection with a video Camera to document and damage for submission to your insurance company.

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

Chimney & Fireplaces

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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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