The issue in question isn't the chimney at all it is the joint between the firebox and the brick facing. It may need a liner as well we have no idea.
Selling home, inspector found problem with fireplace... what to do?
- Thread starter sellinghouse
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
If the chimney has separated from the house or moved that much in the photo and no repairs have been made....and has tile stacked going up... I can ensure you those joints have failed. That's why I suggested a liner for the new owners. Let the new owners repair the firebox and mortar.
I can all but guarantee the chimney has not moved the face has probably because the face and hearth extension are not on an integral slab they are supported by wood framing. I see this pretty often if the chimney itself was separating from the house by 1/4" per foot as the gap in the picture shows I am sure the homeowner would have noticed and the home inspector certainly would have called that out. In addition if the actual chimney was moving that much a liner certainly wouldn't make it safe. It would need underpinning or torn down.
OK, chimney guy came by. Said all looks good, the fireplace isn't pulling away from the house. However the gap shouldn't be filled with mortar, it needs fireproof insulation and silicone over that. Cheap fix, $350.
Silicone is not appropriate at all . And the face is pulling away badly there is a structural problem there
Asking again, is the gap the same from top to bottom or does it get larger at the top of the chimney?
Simonkenton
Minister of Fire
When I was building my log cabin, I also built a stone fireplace. The county inspector came out when all the foundation for the house and fireplace had been dug, but before the concrete had been poured.
I made a massive fireplace foundation for the concrete, it was 3 feet wider and 3 feet longer than the fireplace, and it was 15 inches deep.
The inspector told me "You got carried away on this fireplace foundation. It is way too big."
And I said "Have you ever seen a fireplace with an inadequate foundation, so that after the house was built, the fireplace began to pull away from the house."
The inspector gave in at that point he knew I had him.
That fireplace is pictured at left, it is 25 years old and still straight and true.
I made a massive fireplace foundation for the concrete, it was 3 feet wider and 3 feet longer than the fireplace, and it was 15 inches deep.
The inspector told me "You got carried away on this fireplace foundation. It is way too big."
And I said "Have you ever seen a fireplace with an inadequate foundation, so that after the house was built, the fireplace began to pull away from the house."
The inspector gave in at that point he knew I had him.
That fireplace is pictured at left, it is 25 years old and still straight and true.
The chimney is straight and there's no exterior gaps. The gap pictured widens as it gets to the top of the fireplace. But the lintel is contacting the metal liner, so it couldn't have pulled away from the fireplace face since the fireplace was built, otherwise it wouldn't be touching the lintel. The floor is also level - if it was pulling away I would expect the floor of the fireplace to be lower in the back than in the front.
Can you post a couple more pictures of it? I am just curious how the sides could look like that but no separation at the top. I am just curious now.
Rob711
Feeling the Heat
Hold up. There’s a reputable chimney company on Long Island!!?
Similar threads
