Know Chimneys? Is this liner right?
 

Hey gang,

I'm having a new liner installed in my fireplace chimney because the old one was cracked. The installer has put in the liner and is coming tomorrow to pour the cap. When I looked at it I noticed that liner section1&2 are offset from section 3&4 by about 1/2-3/4". In other words the top 2 aren't lined up perfectly.

Is this an issue? Seems to me that this creates a 1/2" shelf inside the chimney where creosote can build up and will be hard to clean. Also the joints aren't totally sealed.

Should I make them redo it?

methinks if the original chimney has offsets and don't make straight runs possible they should use stainless flex?

Would you run the exhaust on your car like that?



Don't answer that....

+1

We had a flex liner done about 5 years ago. I am still not convinced that we needed it, but I was too chicken to climb up there and look down.

It is a straight run up though (well it's not NOW, but methinks it SHOULD be.) ... That's my issue. There's a bit of mortar in the way and so the clay liner is just sitting next to it, and they mortared it in at an offset. I've decided to tell them to redo it.

I'll post some pics in a few....

I'm no expert but I used to install heaters... IMHO "pretty close" in not good enough with vent pipes.

Techicaly this is not a heater vent... but it sorta is...

YMMV

Don't know if it's kosher or not but it does look like they were simply lazy.

Does not look like it would have taken much to chisel the weeping mortar for a better fit?

That would irk me.

Yep. Not only that but he offset is nearly the width of the clay liner. Meaning there is very little surface area for sealing. Supposedly this guy was the best around.

There's no doubt that they will tell me "Oh, it's fine we install them like this all the time... To which I will say, "but not THIS time". It's just sloppy work IMO and I will not stand for it when I'm paying them $2500 for about 10 hours of work for two guys.

My concern is the gaps I see, even a small gap can create a fire, and the fact that crud, creosote, etc.. can build up there and present even more fire hazard. It will be hard to clean there.

Read page 172 an on, they are very careful to make sure the tiles are within 1/2 inch when you purchase them so I would guess they should also be installed within that range.

Popular Mechanics - Google Books

You tell them that Dan said to fix it. You want it fixed and you want it really nice when it is done or you are going to keep the money and get someone else to do it. You can always say you are sure it must have slipped or something, because you KNOW they wouldn't do work like that on purpose...

Thanks Craig!

LOL Dan. I think that's a good plan.... ...though I know they DIDN'T slip because I can see mortar sitting on the overlap that dropped down during installation. (1st picture)

It's clear the mortar from the chimney brick is in the way of the 3rd tile up (also visible in the upper left of the 1st picture) so they just set it down with the offset. the ID of the tiles are pretty close, but the 3rd one isn't lined up correctly as a result.

...but I think I'll take your non-accusatory approach...

Gee, it would take me 344 hours flipping burgers to earn that kind of dough....

Wow, not cheap were they?. I have done the same job for myself and it didn't take a full day. For that price, it needs to be PERFECT! And while they are there straightening the flue, have them clean up that crap on top on the fire box. What a mess and very unprofessional.
They don't take very much pride in what they do. How big was the mess they left in the yard?
Ben

Well it includes a fair amount of brick work, new cap, etc... They liner replacement itself wasn't that bad ...and it's commensurate with other quotes I received. The local fireman that clean and inspect recomended these guys.

The mess at the bottom is actually a good portion of the old cap that had deteriorated. However I think I will bring this up as well. It's a fire hazard IMO.

are they going to grout the space between the liner and the brick?
If not, then the offset joint poses a weakened thin spot in the fire protection of the liner
Did they pull a permit for the work?
If so then make sure you point out the offset to the inspector.
If not, you are the inspector and have the right as the client paying the bills to have it done correctly.
I wouldn't pay them any more $$ until its fixed.

It's been resolved. They pulled the liner, rematched the pieces and now it's a straight run up.

There is no grout between the liner and the brick. The brick part of the chimney is way bigger than the liner. 5' wide.

Did they clean up all the mortar from the fire box? Glad they made it right for you.
Ben

It is nice to hear they stepped up and did it right.