Ted Kriner
08-30-2011, 02:31 PM
In 1992 my wife and I purchased a split built in 1959. We are located in Western NY where the winters can be pretty harsh. About 12 years ago we learned that our masonry fireplace was improperly constructed and posed a fire hazard. This discovery was made by a contractor we had called to give us an estimate on repairing the chimney which had begun to spall rather badly. The brick and mortar were otherwise structurally sound. The cost to restore the fireplace and chimney was beyond our means, so we had a woodburning stove insert installed with a 7 inch stainless steel concertina-type flue that exits just above the tile flue at the top of the chimney. The tile flue is roughly 10x10 inches. In conversation with one of the owners of the chimney service company that installed it I asked if it would be feasible to sheath the spalling brick exterior of the chimney with furring strips, OSB, Tyvek, and siding. He indicated it would be okay to do that. I eventually did just that. As a temporary measure I covered the OSB with striated cedar shakes to match the rest of the house. I intended ultimately to re-side the house in vinyl--including the chimney. This required a fair amount of work and about $500.00 out of pocket--including my self-fabricated galvanized chimney cap. The cap is quite ugly, by the way. I intend to have it replaced by someone with the correct tools and skills.
My wife and I are now purchasing a new home, but have not yet put our current house up for sale. I am having belated misgivings about the sheathing. I want to be sure I'm not handing a fire hazard to the next owner. I described the installation to the home inspector after we went through the new house. He didn't seem to think there was a fire hazard, but was concerned about moisture build up. If necessary, I'll tear off the siding and sheathing and fill the holes made for the anchors. I'd hate to do that, but I'd hate it much worse if someone lost property or life because of something I did or failed to do.
Does this sound like a safe installation? If not, can it be made safe?
Thanks.
--Ted
My wife and I are now purchasing a new home, but have not yet put our current house up for sale. I am having belated misgivings about the sheathing. I want to be sure I'm not handing a fire hazard to the next owner. I described the installation to the home inspector after we went through the new house. He didn't seem to think there was a fire hazard, but was concerned about moisture build up. If necessary, I'll tear off the siding and sheathing and fill the holes made for the anchors. I'd hate to do that, but I'd hate it much worse if someone lost property or life because of something I did or failed to do.
Does this sound like a safe installation? If not, can it be made safe?
Thanks.
--Ted