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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Default Openings in chimney

    Inspected a 1950's home with an unlined brick chimney for the fireplace. on both sides of the chimney in the attic, there are openings where the bricks are vertical and you can see the inside of the chimney through the openings by these bricks.

    Does anyone have an idea why the openings are there> I have never seen this before.

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    Robert Sole
    REM Inspections LLC
    www.REMinspections.com, Orlando, Oviedo

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Near Philly, Pa.
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    Talking Re: Openings in chimney

    Sure, direct vent woodburning masonry fireplace! ;-)

    Seriously Robert, no legal or useful purpose. Will have to be properly filled in with solid masonry units and mortar when the chimney gets relined.
    HTH,
    Bob

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Orlando, FL
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    Default Re: Openings in chimney

    Thanks for the reply, Bob.

    It would seem to me that this would allow smoke or even sparks to enter the attic (which would be a hazard). Is it safe to use the fireplace like this?

    Robert Sole
    REM Inspections LLC
    www.REMinspections.com, Orlando, Oviedo

  4. #4
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    Mar 2007
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    Near Philly, Pa.
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    Exclamation Ok to use as is?

    Nooooooooo! Do NOT use it as is. Yes, it is a fire hazard. Understand, it is unsafe just from the fact you stated it is unlined. That is enough right there without deliberate holes in the chimney in the attic. Have a pro conduct a Level II inspection for guidance on options. FYI, flue liners have been required since 1927. As for why they did this, I do not know. Maybe some genius thought he was making a draft hood of sorts. Lord knows. Does look very deliberate. As I said repair gaps and reline per the building code.
    HTH,
    Bob

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Orlando, FL
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    54

    Default Re: Openings in chimney

    Thanks for the input. I agree and that is basically what I recommended. I just wanted to make sure I didn't over react to something that had a legitimate reason.

    Robert Sole
    REM Inspections LLC
    www.REMinspections.com, Orlando, Oviedo

  6. #6
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: Ok to use as is?

    FYI, flue liners have been required since 1927.
    BH: Good info. Source?


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Near Philly, Pa.
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    Smile technical references

    Aaron, just another example of the kind of great info. you get when you take Dale Feb's Certified Fireplace Inspector course.

    He has a copy of the 1927 UBC and showed it to us. He has many other cool references, too. Click on the banner to talk with Dale or his wife Tena about the next class.
    Bob

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  8. #8
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: technical references

    just another example of the kind of great info. you get when you take Dale Feb's Certified Fireplace Inspector course.
    BH: IF I had the $2K for the course fee, and IF I had the free week it would require, and IF I had the cash for the travel half way across the country and the lodging once there, and IF . . . wishes were horses . . .


  9. #9
    chuck altvater's Avatar
    chuck altvater Guest

    Default Re: Openings in chimney

    Perhaps the original owner used the attic as a smoke house?


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
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    2,797

    Default Re: technical references

    Quote Originally Posted by A.D. Miller View Post
    BH: IF I had the $2K for the course fee, and IF I had the free week it would require, and IF I had the cash for the travel half way across the country and the lodging once there, and IF . . . wishes were horses . . .
    Dale also teaches an abbreviated class in various cities.

    It's one of the two best classes (the other was the old Peoples Gas Gas Safety class, no longer offered) I've even taken.

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

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