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Chimney & Fireplaces/leaky chimney
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Question
I have a house built in the 60's. In my furnace room, houses the gas furnace and the gas water heater. From the furnace, it's piped to the left into box which is piped into the gas water heater pipe that goes straight up. Above the water heater, is where it is leaking. It is to the right of it, which over the years has put a hole in the drywall (at top) and when it rains or if there's moisture on roof, it leaks from this hole. The wet insulation is beginning to stink.
I know it's leaked at least 6 years. It's a family home only owned by two of us. So, it's been patched over the years around the base of the chimney coming out of the roof. To no avail, it still leaks.
I and a friend went up on roof the other day and scoped it out. The chimney has paint peeling away from it, which shows us that it looks to be of gypsum material. Could it be asbestos? From the flashing at base reaches up to chimney base about an 1-1/2". From the top of the flashing, where it was patched, had some spots where it was drawing away from the chimney. We thought that could be the problem, so we caulked around the entire base (from top of flashing to where it meets the chimney). Well, it is now raining outside and guess what? Yep, it's still leaking.
I am wondering if it should be bricked around the chimney to cover the gypsum material. I'm clueless as to where to go now.
If you could pass along any information that might help in fixing this problem, I sure would appreciate it.
Thank You!
Patti
p67nasa@yahoo.com
Hi Patti,
I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem.
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
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Answers by Expert:
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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