What to do with deteriorating chimney in attic?
matafleur
last year
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millworkman
last yearcat_ky
last yearRelated Discussions
duct through chimney to attic?
Comments (6)I asked about the performance of the current system because if it is adequate, the 4 ton would certainly be adequate. Since it is not, there is no way to tell if it is not doing the job because it is too small, or because there are other problems like duct leaks or inadequate ducts to the furthest ends of the upstairs runs. Insist on a full evaluation of the system including a physical inspection of the duct system, heat transfer calculations, and the adequacy of the size of the ducts for each room. You should see reference to "manual M' and 'manual D" Ducts outside of the house envelope are particularly problematic because duct leakage turns your HVAC system into a power vent. Even with very good ducts there is leakage and then there are room to room pressure differentials to deal with that can do the same thing. That is why Jackfre suggested mini-splits. That will be pretty costly for 12 rooms. Heat pumps will also be more costly to operate than gas furnaces in the current situation. I have learned on this board that in some areas the current building code requires a system for each floor in a home. That should tell you something about the difficult of heating and cooling two floors with one system. One of the most common complaints you see posted here is a big differential between upstairs and downstairs. To get heating and cooling right, you really have to move dampers when switching from one mode to another. There is just no way around the fact that you need more air flow upstairs in the summer than in the winter. For those that don't like the idea of a duct in the chimney, I understand that you would not want a duct in a working chimney. Is there any big problem with re-tasking a disused chimney for a duct chase?...See MoreSurprise! Chimney in my new kitchen design. How do I embrace it?
Comments (4)Got a pic? Is there anything preventing you from abandoning the brick run which is causing you other problems and running the flue straight up to the attic (before realigning to the external chase) via sheet metal? You are being threatened by a 100 year old bad (bad?) design trying to dictate what you do today if I read that right. Do you want the brick (maybe needing expen$ive work to be restored to safe reliable working condition?) or do you want your kitchen? A repair mason may actually suggest lining it with a metal flue. Modern sheet metal is very adaptable stuff; brick isn't. A flue made out of brick will be, what, six or seven inches thicker than one made out of a double layer of sheet metal, the flue space within being equal? Of course removing a brick structure may reveal that it's supporting something, accidentally or deliberately, that would then have to be repaired, and it would be a permanent removal. You say it's pretty but the KD wants to hide it. I think that people 100 years ago didn't think much about exposed utility brick being proper design and you may find a horrendously ugly bricklaying job under the carefully applied plastering. There's one way to find out, but removing plaster without damaging brickface often isn't easy, clean, or cheap. Looking at all that it sounds like a scolding! It's not, I swear. I wouldn't want that decision....See MoreLeaks - chimney flashing or roof?
Comments (9)If there are two flue tiles sticking out of the chimney top, I can't think of any way the chimney would not have two fully lined flues. There would be no way to support tiles just at the top and you would not have two separarte flues to accomodate the furnace and fireplace. What kind of condition the flue tiles are in is another question entirely. 6" under the shingles is not really very much at all, so water could indeed be running under and back toward the chimney, especially since the roof itself is "swayed". A second factor is the age of the roof. Unless they are very heavy duty, 22 years is about the life expectancy of asphalt shingles. You really have two different if related issues: the condition of the roof itself and the condition of the chimney. Some chimney sweeps have video cameras they can lower down the chimney to check the interior. A roofing company can inspect the total roof. Potential expenses for sure, but continuing to try and deal unsuccessfully with the leakage is not a great option either....See MoreWhat is this black stuff under my attic insulation?
Comments (3)Previous roof job would be my guess too. Pieces fall through the cracks in the roof sheathing when roofers are removing everything up there....See Morematafleur
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