When I bought my place the condition of the fireplace was a known quantity,
I wrote it off as unimportant since I don't see myself using it all that
much.

However looking at it I wonder if it is serviceable for winter or if I
should repair it before use.

I know I know it would have been best to look at it BEFORE the onset of
Autumn, but I don't live in a severe weather location, so if my gas furnace
ever gave it up, I'd still be fine.

So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox itself
here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no cracks or
broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a concern?
It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot on
the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if only
because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on either the
roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken and this
condition is normal?

It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people like
that typically charge?

I don't know what a chimney sweep will charge where you live, but he should
be able to advise you on your chimney and fireplace, and recommend folks who
can repair if necessary.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
When I bought my place the condition of the fireplace was a known
quantity, I wrote it off as unimportant since I don't see myself using it
all that much.

However looking at it I wonder if it is serviceable for winter or if I
should repair it before use.

I know I know it would have been best to look at it BEFORE the onset of
Autumn, but I don't live in a severe weather location, so if my gas
furnace ever gave it up, I'd still be fine.

So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox itself
here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no cracks or
broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a concern?
It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
and this condition is normal?

It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
like that typically charge?

"k" wrote in message
. com...
I don't know what a chimney sweep will charge where you live, but he should
be able to advise you on your chimney and fireplace, and recommend folks
who can repair if necessary.


Yeah I know, but I wanted to get some opinions beforehand so he/she/it
didn't pull one over on me with bad information or hard sells for things I
didn't need.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
When I bought my place the condition of the fireplace was a known
quantity, I wrote it off as unimportant since I don't see myself using it
all that much.

However looking at it I wonder if it is serviceable for winter or if I
should repair it before use.

I know I know it would have been best to look at it BEFORE the onset of
Autumn, but I don't live in a severe weather location, so if my gas
furnace ever gave it up, I'd still be fine.

So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox
itself here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no
cracks or broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a
concern?
It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
and this condition is normal?

It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
like that typically charge?

"Eigenvector" wrote in message

So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox itself
here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no cracks or
broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a concern?

Fire brick is the first line of keeping the rest of hte house secure.
Missing mortar is a potential problem, but easily repaired. A tight crack
should be OK, but an air gap is a potential problem, THe chimney sweep can
see it and make a determination better than anyone here.


It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
and this condition is normal?

Ash does not burn, but creosote does. If you have that much gunk on the
wall, it is a potential VERY serious problem. Again, I can't see it, but
there is probably enough creosote there to start a major fire. It should be
cleaned before even considering a fire.


It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
like that typically charge?

$100 to $200. How high is the chimney? Pitch of the roof? Condition of
the lining? How much to be cleaned?

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
. net...

"Eigenvector" wrote in message

So looking at the firebox I notice that the fire brick is cracked and the
joint compound is missing in places. The shell of the fireplace is
cinderblock and looks air tight, I'm just talking about the firebox
itself here. Should the firebox be airtight inside? Should it have no
cracks or broken bricks or is that type of condition normal and not a
concern?

Fire brick is the first line of keeping the rest of hte house secure.
Missing mortar is a potential problem, but easily repaired. A tight crack
should be OK, but an air gap is a potential problem, THe chimney sweep
can see it and make a determination better than anyone here.


It was also noted when the inspection was done that the chimney is very
dirty, and looking at it it is very dirty - like an inch of ash and soot
on the walls of the chimney. I understand that this is a fire hazard, if
only because the soot can ignite and fly out the chimney and land on
either the roof or bushes or my neighbor's roof. But again am I mistaken
and this condition is normal?

Ash does not burn, but creosote does. If you have that much gunk on the
wall, it is a potential VERY serious problem. Again, I can't see it, but
there is probably enough creosote there to start a major fire. It should
be cleaned before even considering a fire.


It's not my intention of cashing in on my fire insurance any time soon so
I'd like to make sure I'm not overly concerned about nothing. BTW: I do
intend of having a chimney sweep come out and clean it, what do people
like that typically charge?

$100 to $200. How high is the chimney? Pitch of the roof? Condition of
the lining? How much to be cleaned?


Alright, so chimney sweep it is.

you need to get a camera inspection of the entire chimney and all flues
to check for detoriation.

might need a chimney liner

vector,

The firebrick that is used as part of the firebox is very important for
safety reasons. What you describe is a chimney which is not safe to use.
Block it up so they you are not tempted to roast weeniers in it after an ice
storm has cut off the electricity.
If you want to resurrect it have a chimney sweep clean and inspect it.
Once it's clean then masons can give you estimates based on what needs to be
done.
Can't advise you on cost.

Dave M.

My fireplace was in similar condition when I moved into our 30 yr old
home. The chimney was gunky and the damper was bad and leaky. The
sweep said the damper needed replacement ($500) and a cleaning was
needed ($110) and the fireplace brick needed replacement and recaulking
($400). Personally, I opted for a cleaning ($110) and a chimney balloon
($40) instead of the new damper and firebox . My wife bought a
candelabra for the fireplace that we light when we want ambiance, but
we dont burn wood in there anymore and we still enjoy it. If we did
burn wood it would just suck heat out of the house anyway. So if you
get a big bill from the sweep to fix it, just consider what you want to
use it for. If it is for heat...dont bother or get an insert. if it is
for looks...get a cendelabra. if you really like the smell of burning
hickory...get it done right.