Today, the chimney we put up in 1990 is coming down! I've been noticing for the last few years water coming out of small cracks and between the mortar and thats not good. Well this winter I noticed some bad blow outs where ice had formed and destroyed the block. It's gotta come down! I'm doing it now, now that burning season is done for me and give me some time to put some $$$$ for new stainless complete! You'll all see the pics and understand. We found water laying up in the top blocks from the recent rain. I'm sure there is a lot of water hiding in there...
More pics this after noon! I got a 24 year old doing the "Grunt work" I sure as hell ain't climbing up a ladder at 59, past hernia surgery, 3 back surgeries, 5 knee repairs/surgeries , past torn rotator cuff and dislocated shoulder, (twice). Na, I'll supervise!
You putting in the same place...out through the wall and up through the soffit? To bad you aren't closer...Menards has excellent pricing on Supervent class a SS pipe/parts...none in your neck of the woods though...once you get west of PA they are everywhere though...you coming to Dennis' GTG? That would put you past/near several stores...
Well as per my fears, thoughts, and assumptions, it all was right!!! I have some serious water damage. To give you all the (quick) story here, I noticed icicles hanging off the side of the chimney about three or four years ago. Two years ago I went up to the top of the chimney and re-parged the top crown and "thought" I had it sealed fairly well. Last winter I noticed some (slight) bulging in some of the blocks and I thought it was my eye's or an optical illusion, so this year I paid very close attention to it and the Icicles came out of nowhere again and so when we had some warm days I went up with a rock hammer and tapped on the block. Yes, the blocks were filled with water!!! Damage was done! So I prayed it didn't get behind the block into the wall......... WELLLLLLLLLLL I wasn't lucky this time . I now have to replace about 16ft of wall plywood but Insulation and the roof line sheathing around the chimney area is shot! Well, enjoy the pics. It is what it is and I'm not happy about the damage but I'm glad it's not much worse! I can fix this, it'll be slow going but fixable. Life goes on... It'll be much more better when I'm done.
I saw this type of thing before in wood burner chimneys. I wonder if moisture builds up in the block and freezes, which cracks the block. Could this be from condensation? How does that happen? My mind wonders sometimes...
Dang Dave, that is a mess...good thing you noticed the issue! It's only money and it will be way cheaper than the...
I agree with (All) you said and maybe even maybe some water seepage from the top down through the top crown. Over the years, the parging on the top crown had gotten some cracks in it, I filled them but I think it was to late and the water already did it's deed...
Yeah! Nothing to do but fix it! It'll now be one other projects I have next to painting, replacing a couple doors, replacing bathroom shower/tub, new flooring, etc... Yeah, (HOUSE)
So NOW I have the wonderful task of cutting 28" from the ceiling down of the brick to get to the wall pocket. I removed the trim work this morning and took pics and stuff off the wall. A new fire box will go through the wall, it'll be stainless steel. I'll build a mantle on top of the existing brick after it's cut. It all needs to be done, Gonna be a long Spring and summer!
It's show time! Gotta break out some brick. Good day for it, overcast and cool. Glad I ain't doing this when it's 90ยบ out! Lunch break, now here's since 9am... It's slow going and it's just my old A$$ swinging a rock hammer and Hilti rotory hammer.
I find it interesting when you come across places like that where the tradesman that did the work was scribbling equations or drawings while working on things...not as much fun as finding an old newspaper, or other some other treasure, but still interesting...
