Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Missing Mortar Joints
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Missing Mortar Joints
TimG123
08-11-06, 07:41 AM
I live in the DC area and I have a wood burning fireplace that has not had a cap on top for 20+ years. I just moved in and hired a cleaning company today to clean and install a 13x13 cap.
They did both for $329 and told me that I have terra cotta liners inside the chimney that have missing/deteriorated mortar joints between them. They recomended that I have a 15 foot stainless steel liner inserted for $1175.
What do I need to be concerned about with the mortar joints? Does the liner price sounds reasonable and is it necessary if I only have 2-3 fires per year?
Thanks.
They did both for $329 and told me that I have terra cotta liners inside the chimney that have missing/deteriorated mortar joints between them. They recomended that I have a 15 foot stainless steel liner inserted for $1175.
What do I need to be concerned about with the mortar joints? Does the liner price sounds reasonable and is it necessary if I only have 2-3 fires per year?
Thanks.
Joe.Carrick
08-16-06, 03:16 PM
Missing mortar between the Terra-cotta tiles is a potential fire hazzard. Hot chimney gasses can pass thru these joints and cause a fire in the structure. If the chimneyu is clean, you wouldn't have a "chimney fire" because the chimney is clean. Even so, a wood fire in the fireplace can easily reach 1400-1700 degrees fahrenheit. The gas going up the chimney is still very hot and can ignite the framing in the attic if it gets there.
Remember the shuttle that blew up because of the O-Ring problem? This is similar but it wouldn't result in as expensive a disaster - maybe just your house.
In any event, you probably should get an inspection and recommendation of another chimney sweep. If they both say the same thing then don't use the fireplace until it's fixed.
Remember the shuttle that blew up because of the O-Ring problem? This is similar but it wouldn't result in as expensive a disaster - maybe just your house.
In any event, you probably should get an inspection and recommendation of another chimney sweep. If they both say the same thing then don't use the fireplace until it's fixed.