I will be replacing a factory-built chimney in a one-story ranch. The existing chimneys are held in place by combustibles (plywood at the top of the chase, sheetrock going from first floor to attic), so I can't just replace what's there. I need to know what the right way is. The new chimney will begin at the ceiling in the basement, go through the first floor in a dedicated chase, go through the attic unchased, and into a chase from the roof to air. I know that the chimney will be supported and anchored in place at the bottom by the chimney support going through the basement ceiling to the first floor. The chimney *might* be held in place laterally by brackets going up. I'm guessing it's held in place going from first floor to attic by the attic insulation shield.
What I can't figure out is what actually holds the chimney in place at the very top, right before the chimney goes through the chimney chase cover. As far as I can tell, the chimney chase cover itself must leave a standoff to the chimney, so it's not actually touching the chimney. Maybe I'm wrong. It would make sense to me that the chimney chase cover would also hold the chimney in place, but I think I read that the holes in the chimney chase cover must be 2" bigger than the chimney outside dimension.
Hope this question makes sense.
Ken Benson
What I can't figure out is what actually holds the chimney in place at the very top, right before the chimney goes through the chimney chase cover. As far as I can tell, the chimney chase cover itself must leave a standoff to the chimney, so it's not actually touching the chimney. Maybe I'm wrong. It would make sense to me that the chimney chase cover would also hold the chimney in place, but I think I read that the holes in the chimney chase cover must be 2" bigger than the chimney outside dimension.
Hope this question makes sense.
Ken Benson