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Fireplace
mitchpat

Fireplace dilemma

mitchpat
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

My chimney is about 48 years old. I had it rebuilt from the roof up about 10 years ago. Now both new and old bricks are deteriorating. Additionally, we had a "thermal event" which caused the clay flue tiles to crack. I want to replace the entire chimney. Insurance adjuster says they will probably pay for just putting a stainless steel flue down the chimney.

Is brick or stone more likely to hold up to Chicago weather?

Are there any other options? The rest of the house is Hardie cement board. If I can use Hardie board I'd like to build in a little storage area for gardening tools.

Also thinking of upgrading to a heat radiating FP. Is it worth the extra cost? We have a single story home.

Thanks for your help!

Comments (3)

  • Matthew
    6 years ago

    How are new bricks deteriorating if they are only 10 years old? Or is it more specifically the mortar? Rebuilding a whole chimney will be $$$$. Has a mason made an assessment on what can be done.

  • PRO
    Rockford Chimney Supply
    6 years ago

    Hello Mitchpat,

    There are other alternatives to brick chimneys. If the brick chimney is eliminated above the roof, you can transition to a class A chimney pipe by using a transition plate, Rock-Vent class A chimney pipe, and chimney cap.

  • graywings123
    6 years ago

    You can have a cast-in-place masonry liner poured inside your chimney. I had it done on a 120 year old chimney.

    Cast in place flue liner

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