Recently bought a home and had it swept for the first time before using our wood fireplace. Please see the quotes from the inspection and included photos of the wood framing:
"This chimney is interior by definition, contains 2 flues serving one fireplace and two natural gas, heat and hot
water appliances. Each flue was originally terra cotta lined but the heating appliance flue has been relined with stainless steel."
"The firebox (inner hearth) was constructed on combustible material. This material is charred and there is evidence of combustion in this location. This is a potential hazard. This condition did not develop from dumping hot ashes down the ash pit, it occurred due to heat transfer through the masonry materials, and it occurred over time. The home framing, heating appliance flue and the fireplace are all impacted by this condition."
"Damaged material was found in the smoke chamber area. This damage may allow the passage of heat, smoke and other combustion byproducts to areas of the chimney and home not meant to contain them. This damage occurred from age, use, and exposure. The smoke chamber also exceeds the height allowance for safe operation. This leads to a clearance to combustibles issues to the combustible walls above the fireplace in the chamber area."
What are my options here?
1. Would this be covered by home insurance since there is evidence of combustion or is this more categorized as poor construction and may not be covered?
2. If I do have to absorb the cost, what is the most cost-effective way to fix this? The inspector basically said that I have to rebuild and quoted $11k, so I am hoping there is a cheaper option. I assume the flue can use a metal liner pretty easily but the firebox could be a problem.
3. I am okay converting to gas if it will save cost.
4. Should I just abandon ship on using it altogether?
"This chimney is interior by definition, contains 2 flues serving one fireplace and two natural gas, heat and hot
water appliances. Each flue was originally terra cotta lined but the heating appliance flue has been relined with stainless steel."
"The firebox (inner hearth) was constructed on combustible material. This material is charred and there is evidence of combustion in this location. This is a potential hazard. This condition did not develop from dumping hot ashes down the ash pit, it occurred due to heat transfer through the masonry materials, and it occurred over time. The home framing, heating appliance flue and the fireplace are all impacted by this condition."
"Damaged material was found in the smoke chamber area. This damage may allow the passage of heat, smoke and other combustion byproducts to areas of the chimney and home not meant to contain them. This damage occurred from age, use, and exposure. The smoke chamber also exceeds the height allowance for safe operation. This leads to a clearance to combustibles issues to the combustible walls above the fireplace in the chamber area."
What are my options here?
1. Would this be covered by home insurance since there is evidence of combustion or is this more categorized as poor construction and may not be covered?
2. If I do have to absorb the cost, what is the most cost-effective way to fix this? The inspector basically said that I have to rebuild and quoted $11k, so I am hoping there is a cheaper option. I assume the flue can use a metal liner pretty easily but the firebox could be a problem.
3. I am okay converting to gas if it will save cost.
4. Should I just abandon ship on using it altogether?
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