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Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Fri. Nov. 24, 2017 5:58 pm
by inline
I wanted to get opinions on whether this chimney looks safe to use for coal.
Chimney is around 20' tall and runs up through the inside of the house. It is block and tile. Tiles are 11x7 inside.
There was definitely a chimney fire at one time and there are a cracks throughout the length. Cracks range from hairline to 1/4" or so.
I snaked an old iPhone up the entire length to get an idea of how it looked.
So...what does everyone think? Should I install a liner or use as is?
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Fri. Nov. 24, 2017 6:06 pm
by freetown fred
Personally--I'd patch anything I could reach & use it. Pack some insulation where pipe goes into thimble.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Fri. Nov. 24, 2017 6:20 pm
by scalabro
Folks on here have used worse I’m sure
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Fri. Nov. 24, 2017 6:53 pm
by tsb
For coal, no problem !
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Fri. Nov. 24, 2017 7:23 pm
by coaledsweat
A liner is the last thing you need. Fire it up.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Fri. Nov. 24, 2017 8:18 pm
by Lightning
Yep, my chimney is like that or worse. No problem.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Fri. Nov. 24, 2017 8:48 pm
by inline
Awesome. Thanks for the responses guys.
Hope to have the hearth done this weekend so I can hook up the stove.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Sat. Nov. 25, 2017 7:28 am
by Qtown1835
I would like to sell you a SS liner. PM me for details....
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Sat. Nov. 25, 2017 9:59 am
by inline
hahaha nope.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Sat. Nov. 25, 2017 10:19 am
by Rob R.
As long as the chimney drafts properly, I would not hesitate to use it with a coal stove. I would make sure there is not a big gap around the thimble where it meets the flue tile, and probably smear furnace cement on what ever gaps I could reach.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Sat. Nov. 25, 2017 3:10 pm
by CoalisCoolxWarm
You can run a test. Make a smokey fire with good draft, lay a piece of something non-flammable over the top to mostly cover it and check your house for smoke or smells of fire.
Don't block it very long, and be advised smoke may come our your furnace if you cut the draft too much.
Pretty much any chimney that leaks smoke is unsafe. If it doesn't when pressurized like this, you'll likely have no problems with coal (not wood), as the chimney should always be creating a negative pressure.
If it was an outside chimney, less worry. Being an indoor chimney, you really have to be certain.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Sun. Nov. 26, 2017 7:33 pm
by inline
CoalisCoolxWarm wrote: ↑Sat. Nov. 25, 2017 3:10 pm
You can run a test. Make a smokey fire with good draft, lay a piece of something non-flammable over the top to mostly cover it and check your house for smoke or smells of fire.
Don't block it very long, and be advised smoke may come our your furnace if you cut the draft too much.
Pretty much any chimney that leaks smoke is unsafe. If it doesn't when pressurized like this, you'll likely have no problems with coal (not wood), as the chimney should always be creating a negative pressure.
If it was an outside chimney, less worry. Being an indoor chimney, you really have to be certain.
Not easy to get up to the top of the chimney. Its a large Victorian with a steep pitched metal roof.
The chimney drafts extremely well. Total length from basement to the top of the chimney is probably 35' and around 20' from the thimble.
Re: Cracked Chimney Tiles - Use or install liner
Posted: Sun. Nov. 26, 2017 7:56 pm
by coaledsweat
If the chimney is within the walls of the house it's going to draft very well.