Opinions needed on chimney repair estimates

[Cinnaman]

Some of you may have read my other post on my chimney damage........cracked terra cotta flue tiles using a masonry fireplace. https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/5888/

I looked at some inserts and decided that's not what I want. I enjoy the smell, crackling, and poking at the fire too much for an insert. I know it's a big energy loss.

So I'm left with repairing the chimney.

Guy #1 (hired to sweep the chimney) - found a crack in the tile, didn't bother to go to the top of the chimney and inspect the rest, charged me for a full sweep, and shut me down. His estimate to repair with SS liner (not lined), cap, reseal smoke chamber, $2,900.

Guy #2 (hired to inspect) - very clean, very high tech. Sent a camera up into the smoke chamber, found a few small cracks, found several cracks in the terra cotta liner some of which were very large 1/2". Explained that there had to be a chimney fire at some point. Showed me the entire inspection on video as he was doing it and explained everything and downloaded it onto his laptop right there in my house. He explained he would either reline with SS and a slurry type of insulation around it, take out my old iron damper (I have a top sealing damper now), recoat my smoke chamber, and rebuild my firebox (some spaulding of bricks). He might consider relining the chimney with the rubber tube and poured liner method. Said the SS is ok, but if I had a chimney fire in the SS liner it wouldn't be SS anymore and would be subject to corrosion/rust. He said this would be an insurance claim because of the fire. His ballpark estimate $3,500-$4,500.

Guy #3 - (hired to inspect) - looked up the chimney, found the small crack, got up on the top of the chimney (via 2 step ladders instead of taking the extension ladder off his truck) and found the other cracks in the terra cotta. He said he would reline with SS, block off the bottom and pour insulation in from the top. He said my smoke chamber is ok. He went on to explain some downsizing of his business and letting employees go due to cost of insurance, etc.. He will call with a quote and mail a written quote.


Any advice would be appreciated.

Dave

 

[elkimmeg]

I have to check, but what about the winter warm an insert with a openfire screen option? Then you get to pick the best of both worlds heat of the insert or enjoy the open flame

 

[Shane]

The dollar amounts are in the range of what one could expect to pay. It seems that #2 did the most thorough inspection, Though if one flue tile is cracked it doesn't really matter if others are or not. As for the smoke chamber that #3 says is in good condition I would leave that to your personal judgement. You saw the video is the damage signifigant?

 

[Cinnaman]

The stove dealer I talked to said there were a few inserts with screens but they do not work very well and tend to put smoke into the room.

I saw small cracks in the smoke chamber on the video. To me, a crack in the smoke chamber is just as serious as one in the flue tiles. But I'm not an expert.

I don't want to offend anyone out there, but it amazes me to see the difference in the competency and honesty of chimney sweeps/repair guys. I feel like I'm trying to buy a used car.

 

[Shane]

The chimney sweeping industry is widely unregulated. There is no required training to become a sweep, just buy the equipment and throw your top hat in the ring. If you saw a couple of signifigant cracks in the smoke chamber and two out of three sweeps are saying it needs repaired it quite honestly probably does need repaired. Are the cracks separated more than a dime width in the smoke chamber?
I don't think that you'll offend anyone here, typically the caliber of dealers/sweeps that hang out here are a little higher than used car salesman. Elk & Craig would smoke them out!

 

[Cinnaman]

Ha! Hopefully there aren't any used car salesmen looking at this thread.

I think the smoke chamber probably should be repaired at the same time. Guy #2 seems the most credible right now.

 

[elkimmeg]

If you went to an insert, the one piece liner would pass tha smoke chamber and that too would be a non issue

Shane sell the winter warm the somke issue seems highly unlikely ans more air is rushing into a larger opening .
I think you got some advice less than truthfull

I would do this go with the guy that was the best are describing the issues then before final payment view the repair with the video to confirm it was completed.
Some times excellence cost more and it is worth it

 

[Shawn]

I have a Lopi Freedom Bay and have the screen option as well. In the early Fall or spring you could remove the door and just use the screen. You can leave the door on and use the screen as well. I also thought I wanted to keep the "open" fireplace method but find that I don't use the screen nearly as much as I expected. It is an option though.

 

[Shane]

Cinnaman. For the type of money you are talking about spending here it makes alot more sense to invest in an insert. That is precisely the difference between the two purchases, an insert is an investment with the potential to recoup your money through heating cost savings. Repairing the open fireplace is just spending money, you'll never see a return for your hard earned money. With the Winterwarm or even another insert you could easily still poke & play with your fire like you mentioned wanting to do. It just seems to make more sense. Especially since you'll be spending around the same amount either way.