Repoint or bebuild?

[Marconis]

Hey all! Been a while since I posted. I've lived in my house for four years, and we've been putting off chimney repairs for probably a bit too long. Back in 2021, we had the crown rebuilt (cracked a whole year later, they did such a lousy job) and a SS liner put in for the boiler. Our wood burning fireplace has clay tile, one which is definitely shifted. During super heavy rains, we get water along one of the rafters in the attic, as well as water that occasionally comes into the firebox as it drips down behind the flue.. It's unclear if it's from super saturation of the bricks with water, the mortar gaps, poor flashing, or all of the above.

We had an abandoned wood burning chimney demolished today (and a back door installed, finally ). While they were here, the mason got up on the roof to look at our main chimney and was pretty adamant that the chimney only needed to be repointed and not rebuilt down to the roofline (I'm also going to do smoke chamber parging, a new SS liner, new crown, new flashing). This whole time I've had in my head that it needed to be rebuilt because of 2-3 spalling bricks, and the fact that the bricks are from 1929 when the house was originally built and to my untrained eye they seem very porous. Said he also may not need to knock out the tiles either to install a SS liner.

I got a decent price but before I start seeking multiple estimates I wanted to see what the experts here think...rebuild or repoint? Please see photos below. Yes I am ashamed that moss grows on it in the mortar cracks. Thanks so much.

 

[bholler]

It really looks like just pointing to me

 

[Marconis]

It really looks like just pointing to me

That’s reassuring, thanks. What about the couple of spalled bricks? Should those be popped out and replaced or are they good to leave?

As far as tile knock out — my clay is actually pretty clean from a visual inspection. He said he can fit a 6 or 7 inch stainless in there no problem without knockout which would obviously save me money, but I’ve seen mixed opinions on that.

 

[bholler]

That’s reassuring, thanks. What about the couple of spalled bricks? Should those be popped out and replaced or are they good to leave?

As far as tile knock out — my clay is actually pretty clean from a visual inspection. He said he can fit a 6 or 7 inch stainless in there no problem without knockout which would obviously save me money, but I’ve seen mixed opinions on that.

Yes spalled brick should be replaced. And that looks like an 8x12 liner bit not sure if it is he can probably fit an oval 6" equivalent insulated liner in there. Probably not a 7. What do you want to use the fireplace for?

 

[Marconis]

Yes spalled brick should be replaced. And that looks like an 8x12 liner bit not sure if it is he can probably fit an oval 6" equivalent insulated liner in there. Probably not a 7. What do you want to use the fireplace for?

It’s just for leisurely wood burning in an open fireplace. Not for home heating

 

[bholler]

It’s just for leisurely wood burning in an open fireplace. Not for home heating

Ok a 6" or 7" absolutely won't work for that at all. You will need much larger and almost certainly will need the clay removed. If your mason knew you wanted an open fireplace and suggested a 6" or 7" you shouldn't let him do any chimney work

 

[Marconis]

Ok a 6" or 7" absolutely won't work for that at all. You will need much larger and almost certainly will need the clay removed. If your mason knew you wanted an open fireplace and suggested a 6" or 7" you shouldn't let him do any chimney work

Noted!! Onto other estimates then. Thank you

 

[Marconis]

Ok a 6" or 7" absolutely won't work for that at all. You will need much larger and almost certainly will need the clay removed. If your mason knew you wanted an open fireplace and suggested a 6" or 7" you shouldn't let him do any chimney work

Also I know you may not be able to answer this considering you don’t know my flue dimensions, what’s a typical SS size for an open fireplace?

I currently have amazing draft and don’t want to screw that up.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Flue size depends on the size of your fireplace’s opening. If I remember correctly your flue area should be 10% of the fireplaces opening.

 

[bholler]

Also I know you may not be able to answer this considering you don’t know my flue dimensions, what’s a typical SS size for an open fireplace?

I currently have amazing draft and don’t want to screw that up.

10 to 1 ratio between the firebox opening to flue size