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Should I tear down & replace this chimney before I re-roof ?

JoeOxfordCT's picture

Should I tear down & replace this chimney before I re-roof ? (post #192896)

JoeOxfordCT on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:02
in

Hi All,

I am planning on getting my roof stripped & re-done in the fall.  I heat primarily with a wood stove.  Otherwise the only other heat in the house is electric which I try to avoid using on all but the coldest nights. The chimney has only one (ceramic) flue.  The staining I realize is from creasote from the wood stove.  I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I can remove these stains with muriatic acid ?  At least that's what folks have told me.  What concerns me more is the white lines on the brick...what is this exactly and is it merely cosmetic or a sign of more serious trouble.  If I have to get the chimney taken down and rebuilt I want to do it before (or while ?) I'm having the roof done so I don't have to worry about the mason making a mess on the new roof shingles.

This is my house where I live an not rental property....what would you do ?

Thanks !

Joe

-A +A

The chimney is in far better (post #192896, reply #1 of 6)

by DanH in reply to JoeOxfordCT [original] on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 10:24

The chimney is in far better shape than many I've seen.  I'm guessing it's not more than about 60 years old, maybe only half that?

The side view kinda looks like it's been tuck-pointed in the past, but the other views look more like original mortar.  The white lines are probably cracks in the brick where moisture from the inside has brought "salts" to the surface -- "efflorescence".  This, of course, suggests that rain is getting into the top, or, perhaps, moisture from the flue is working through faults in the liner.

Can't say what repairs are in order.  I wouldn't think that complete disassembly is necessary if the liner is in good shape (be sure to get it inspected).  Certainly it needs a little attention, though.


We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy -- sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. --Thomas Edison

You need a new cap on the (post #192896, reply #2 of 6)

by MarkH in reply to JoeOxfordCT [original] on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 12:16

You need a new cap on the chimney, it's letting water get into the brick causing the efflorescence.  You can have a stainless steel cap made that is better than a concrete cap, but both work well.  A mason or chimney repair man should check the chimney before roofing starts.

I just had a guy give me a (post #192896, reply #3 of 6)

by JoeOxfordCT in reply to MarkH [original] on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 12:47

I just had a guy give me a price of 2.5K to tear it down to the roof and rebuild it with a bluestone cap, materials & labor.  I am tempted to go for it as once that it done and the roof is stripped & reshingled, I won't have to get on the roof for anything other than clean the gutters.....

PS:  You don't have any shots (post #192896, reply #4 of 6)

by DanH in reply to JoeOxfordCT [original] on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 12:48

PS:  You don't have any shots of the flashing, but that needs to be checked to assure that it's in order for a new roof.  And perhaps the roofing guy and chimney guy should chat with each other to agree on what sort of flashing is to be used.


We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy -- sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. --Thomas Edison

My roofer was going to (post #192896, reply #5 of 6)

by JoeOxfordCT in reply to DanH [original] on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 13:01

My roofer was going to replace all the flashing...both step flashing as well as the flashing around the chimney.......

The mason was going to strip the chimney down to just above where the flashing ties in...

I am wondering now though if I should just have the mason replace the chimney cap, & clean & repoint the existing chimney.... 

I would (post #192896, reply #6 of 6)

by davidmeiland in reply to JoeOxfordCT [original] on Sat, 08/28/2010 - 13:35

have someone blast the brick with walnut shell or soda (have the blaster look at the brick and advise you), repoint as needed, have a nice metal cap made for the top that prevents water from getting into the brick, and make sure you have a clean, solid metal pipe all the way down to the woodstove.