Thread: What am I seeing in the smoke chamber

WB Fireplaces are definitely not my strong point - I just don't see enough of them.

Picture was taken from just above the damper in a small Rumford style fireplace - probably originally a coal burner - which is now being used to burn wood (one small log at a time).

This is the best picture of the flue I could get, I barely got the camera passed the damper, and I had no access to the top of the chimney which was located on a steep a snow covered roof. Unfortunately, I did not get a usable picture of the firebox, so I grabbed the one attached from the listing.

I'm trying to understand what I'm seeing here: Extremely heavy creosote buildup? Deteriorating parging on the back of the smoke chamber? Deteriorating mortar between the bricks? Something else?
This FP will get a recommendation for Level II for other reasons, but I would like to better understand what I'm seeing.

Thanks.

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That's a pretty rough flue, and missing mortar and gaps. As a coal burner they were never intended to burn wood to my knowledge. It sure looks like its gonna need upgrading.

The top of the chimney should have a masonry cap as its current set up is prone to water/freeze damage.

There was obviously a moisture problem before, the cap at the top of the chimney is recent, birdscreen may mean they had more than water issues.

Most imprtantly though, this solid fuel chimney has no flue liner,whether masonary or otherwise.

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

WB Fireplaces are definitely not my strong point - I just don't see enough of them.

Picture was taken from just above the damper in a small Rumford style fireplace - probably originally a coal burner - which is now being used to burn wood (one small log at a time).

This is the best picture of the flue I could get, I barely got the camera passed the damper, and I had no access to the top of the chimney which was located on a steep a snow covered roof. Unfortunately, I did not get a usable picture of the firebox, so I grabbed the one attached from the listing.

I'm trying to understand what I'm seeing here: Extremely heavy creosote buildup? Deteriorating parging on the back of the smoke chamber? Deteriorating mortar between the bricks? Something else?
This FP will get a recommendation for Level II for other reasons, but I would like to better understand what I'm seeing.

Thanks.

It's a parged, unlined flue unsuitable for use.

If considering relining, make sure you check for the required 4" air space behind the firebox construction. We usually do a level 2 and end up installing an electric fireplace, a gas direct-vent insert with liner(s) or a pellet appliance with liner in these.

Bart