Hi - thanks for the quick reply. As a matter of fact, the flashing
around the chimney became unattached due to the spalling and water did
leak into the attic. If those bricks aren't fixed & the flashing is
again 'sealed' to that same brick, how does it remain sealed with the
possibility of the brick continuing to fall apart?


wrote:
On 24 Oct 2006 17:47:50 -0700, wrote:

Hi all - I'm new to this forum and was hoping that you could all
educate me about spalling chimney bricks. I'm in the process of buying
a SFH. The home inpsection that I had done stated "many spalled bricks
on chimney. A licensed and insured professional chimney contractor
should be called to fully evaluate the chimney and flue and the
remaining chimney and fireplace components and make all repairs as
needed -HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERN."

I had given the sellers an addendum to the contract stating this, which
the owners agreed to and signed. Since then, the oners had a
specialist out and the specialist said the spalling of the bricks is
cosmetic and no health and safetyconcernr is present. (They quoted a
price of $2900 for the top 8 feet of the chimnety to be fixed.) Sine
the specialist said that it's cosmetic, the owners are refusing to fix
it. Are the spalling bricks really not a concern? Is that all there
really is to it? They are using the "health & safety concern" as a
loophole not to fix it. Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks in advance!

NAL

It's not a health and safety concern. If the chimney and flue were
affected then it might be. At worst spalling bricks can cause a roof
leak. Check that out.