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Abandoning a chimney

Jason_15
Jason_15 Member Posts: 124
in THE MAIN WALL
Thanks, Tim. I'll have it inspected before I seal it up.

Comments

  • Jason_15
    Jason_15 Member Posts: 124
    Abandoning a chimney

    Do I need to do anything special to abandon a chimney? Mine is rotting. I believe it is because it has had only a single gas water heater venting into an unlined brick chimney for the last 20 years. I have chunks of mortar, etc in the cleanout when I go in there every 3 months or so. It is an interior chimney with great draft, I think that's the only reason it has lasted this long (over 100 years old) Can I just cap the opening where the water heater flue was once the water heater is disconnected? Or do I need to fill the chimneyin or anything else?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Just plug the

    openings and I would also seal it off at the roof. One thing to be concerned about is that as chimneys deteriorate they take some of the structure with them. It might be a good idea to have a liscensed chimney sweep take a look at it.
  • Bob W._3
    Bob W._3 Member Posts: 561


    And if you have fireplaces never assume they use this or that flue. Many old coal fireplaces were stacked on top of each other, using the same flue. When we put a gas insert in one this year we found another fireplace and a wood stove using the same flue, 1st, 2nd and 3rd stories.
  • Jason_15
    Jason_15 Member Posts: 124
    Chimney

    This house never had a fireplace. The chimney served the boilers- First coal, then oil, then natural gas, and the water heater. 23 years ago the previous owner put in a power vent boiler, so the water heater got lonely in there :) I'm going to have an indirect put in, rather than line the chimney. Tim said I should be concerned about the structure. Would that be the structure of the chimney itself, or the whole house??
  • Bob W._3
    Bob W._3 Member Posts: 561


    Personally I wouldn't tear it out just because some of the mortar is failing. Think about what it could be used for in the future, such as a gas fireplace or stove (lined of course). I would go with Tim's suggestions.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Jason, a lot of old

    chimneys had some of the physical structure of the building attached to the chimney. When they start to fall apart they take some of the building structure with them. If there is access into attic areas or closets then it can be inspected to see if structural damage is occuring. Even if it is not it may do so later on. If there is no physical connection to building structure then it should be okay.
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