What am I seeing in the smoke chamber

[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.

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[Raymond Wand]

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.

[David Bell]

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.

[David Bell]

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

[Bart Ogden]

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