Woodburning chimney maintenance/repairs?

[simpsongal]

Anyone else have any insights or experience into wood-burning chimney maintenance/repair?

We had our chimney checked out when we bought ~7 years ago (house built in 1971), had the cap replaced and the top rebuilt for about $1200.  Since then we've cleaned it once (a couple years ago) - cleaner said there was very clean.  We burn a face cord of oak every year.

One neighbor just had her chimneys lined, another is doing it too.  They're using a company that threads a camera up the flu - I'm not sure if our original chimney folks did that.  We had a very minor earthquake in the DC area years ago, so I suppose there's a chance there could have been some mortar damage from that.

I'm just guessing they're going to tell me I need to line my chimney to the tune of $2K or so.....wondering if anyone has done the same or has insights....neighbor said lining was essential to prevent a fire and subtle carbon monoxide leaks into the house. 

[bullygirl979]

I've only had mine cleaned and inspected. Regardless, if they tell you that, I would definitely get a second opinion!

[k3am]

Recommendations are to have your chimney inspected annually with cleaning done as necessary. No suggestions on liners, since we don't have one and have never been recommended one.

After living through two nests of chimney swifts, we will personally be doing inspections annually to ensure the caps are functioning so I don't have to spend another month and a half listening to that chatter.

[hamster]

We have a woodstove but burn three cords a year. We've never had to do anything other than an annual cleaning and seal some of the masonry or something.

[Deleted]

I think that if you are getting your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly then putting in a lining is not going to be necessary. Anecdotes: My Mom's house is 80 years old and she uses her fireplace regularly in the winter. She's never had a chimney fire and just keeps up on maintenance. My house is the same age as yours and no one has ever suggested to me that we get our chimney lined, we just clean it annually ourselves and get it inspected every other year.

[mrsukyankee]

At the very least get it inspected and cleaned again. Not doing it for a few years can cause a build-up and that can be bad. I know in London, at least, you need to have a flu lined legally due to fears of carbon dioxide poisoning. It may be different in the US.

[devonpow]

We have two chimneys and had both inspected when we moved in (1905 house). Visual inspection was fine but the camera inspection showed that one chimney needed to be re lined. Other chimney was fine, just has a down draft that we can’t really fix so we don’t use it much. It was less expensive for us to put a gas insert in instead of re lining the other chimney so we did that.*

* I was VERY against the gas insert. I was all about the authenticity of my fireplace and the crackling sound etc etc. DH got his way though and now I am a TOTAL convert. It’s incredibly realistic looking and heats the entire(large) room really effectively. Plus it’s on and off with a touch of the remote. I’m obsessed.

[simpsongal]

We had the camera up there and there were some large troubling mortar gaps and cracks. We’re doing a cement, molded in place liner. It’s $2100 but it’s peace of mind. Apparently this is the most common lining used in Europe. FWIW, a colleague in a similarly aged house had a house fire from a chimney with gaps.

[aprilsails]

I would do whatever maintenance is recommended. As a kid we had a volunteer firefighter knock on our door one day to inform us the chimney was on fire. Luckily it was just some creosote build up at the top and it self-extinguished after the fire below was put out and the flue closed but that was an unsettling feeling.

In very poorly maintained student housing that I lived in during university the gas furnace and hot water heater vented out the original closed up wood burning fireplace chimney. When a raccoon built a nest in the top (4 storeys up) and blocked the chimney my roommate almost died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The only thing that saved her was the massive gap around the window in her room that never sealed. The carbon monoxide leached into her room through cracks in the mortar.

So I’m all in for chimney maintenance. Whatever is recommended.

[pearls]

In the first house I owned (built in 1900) a liner was already installed as the chimney had several gaps in the mortar areas and could allow a fire to happen if it wasn't there. I didn't think about much, until prior to selling 6 yrs later.
When it came time to sell, I had someone come clean it and they found the liner needed to be replaced, I believe it was roughly $1,200 to do that in 2016. The guy viewed it with a camera and told me that liners are always better for efficiency, especially in old chimneys, but that if your chimney is found to be sound, they aren't necessary for function (and in my area with a lot of older homes it isn't impactful on resale as it's just as common to have one as not to have one). In my case I had to replace the liner to ensure the safe functioning of the chimney.

[aspentosh]

simpsongal, did you like the company you used? We bought 7 years ago and should probably have it inspected though we don't use it a ton. I'm expecting to need some repairs.

[simpsongal]

Sept 30, 2019 7:07:47 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

simpsongal, did you like the company you used? We bought 7 years ago and should probably have it inspected though we don't use it a ton. I'm expecting to need some repairs.

we did, a bunch of neighbors used them too - apparently they’re more reasonably priced than other places. Name is Honeycutt. He did warn me that his prices go up for winter, starting next week I believe
Good luck!