Expert: Bart Ogden - 9/12/2006

Question
Hi,

 I’m a chimney sweep from the Midwest in Minot, North Dakota.  One of my customers had me clean a fireplace in an 80 plus year old home. It has an older insert found in a home of that age, an original appliance of that time period.  The flue is masonry and partially lined with mortar.  What is strange about this is that mid-way up the flue there is an opening into an upstairs bathroom directly into the flue.  It appears to be an original part of the system as it is louvered and the mill work around the opening is original and doesn’t seem to be a later add-on.  The fire place has been used and there is no sign of a soot build up around this opening, I'm assuming that a venturie (SP) effect may be the reason, sucking air from the house as the flue exhausts.        

Can you give me any reason for this application?  It would seem to me that it is a CO2 hazard and if any down drafting would occur, fill the upstairs with smoke.  I have been in the business for over 25 years and have never seen nor heard of this.  I would appreciate any explanation and feed back on this as I am totally stumped.

Thank you,

Ron Schmidt
Friendly Sweep Co.


Answer
Hi Ron,

I can't answer your question except to tell you that ANY woodburning masonry flue should be lined with clay flue that has NO other appliances or breaches into it.  This is per NFPA 211.

Being "lined with mortar" is not being lined at all.  That is parging, which is not qualified as a "lining" system.

The hole should be closed and the entire system should be video-scanned and a Level 2 Inspection be performed to determine its condition and suitability for future use.

You'll likely end up relining that flue with an insulated stainless or a cast-in-place replacement lining system.

If you're not a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, I would encourage you to join that association and get certified.  You'll avail yourself of the knowledge of the Technical Advisory Committee and you'll have the opportunity to network with other CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps to increase your knowledge!

If you would like more information, please email me privately at bart@homesafeks.com.

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