Do chimney sweep logs work to clean out your chimney?
The chimney sweep can inspect the entire chimney, and they can get rid of any creosote or soot in the duct and at the bottom. A professional can also clean out the flue, damper and other chimney parts. Chimney cleaning logs can help loosen the soot, but a chimney sweep can ensure your chimney is free of that build-up.
How much does it cost to remove a brick chimney?
The cost of removing a chimney from your home can vary quite a bit. That being said, most jobs like this end up costing between $2,000 and $4,000. The ultimate price that you pay will be based on the unique characteristics of your chimney. For example, as you would expect, full chimney removals cost more than partial ones.
Is a kitchen chimney really required?
Kitchen chimney is essential for various reasons: health and hygiene, cleanliness etc. Most of the modern apartments of today grant little space for kitchen. Due to short area, there may be a problem in air ventilation. Smokes and oils in various gaseous forms, emitted will inevitably pollute your kitchen and cause a certain sticky-ness about ...
How to Chimney Sweep Your Chimney?
- A chimney brush, either wire or plastic. ...
- Chimney brush extension pipes, to help you clean the whole length of the chimney. ...
- A smaller stiff wire brush.
- A plastic tarp or drop cloth for use inside your house.
- A ladder tall enough to reach your roof, if you plan to clean your chimney from the top down.
- A broom and dustpan.
- A dust mask and goggles.
Is it a good idea to remove a chimney?
But there are reasons to have your chimney removed. Chimneys require maintenance like anything else, and if they don't get enough of it, they can start to cause problems with things like insulation, leakage, and even structural concerns—nobody wants a chimney stack to fall on their head.
How difficult is it to remove a chimney?
You should keep in mind at all times that chimney removal is a lengthy, difficult process which can potentially lead to serious structural concerns. It is best to have several people working on the project at once, and having experts on-hand may significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Can you remove a fireplace chimney?
Removing a chimney or fireplace is a large undertaking. Your costs will vary depending on the make of your chimney and fireplace, your fireplace insert, and whether you remove the chimney stack and breast. For a partial chimney or fireplace removal, expect to pay around $500 to $2,500.
Can an external chimney be removed?
Removing an external chimney stack This can be removed from outside the building and, if done with care, need not cause disruption to internal decoration.
Is a chimney load bearing?
No, not officially. In reality it is only a chimney and is not considered a column or load bearing building support.
How much does it cost to get a chimney removed?
The average cost of removing a chimney stack is £300 per metre or £1,800 per project.
Is it OK to remove a chimney stack?
You should only reduce or remove your chimney if you're absolutely sure it isn't providing ventilation or being used as a flue by any heat-producing appliance.
Does removing a fireplace decrease home value?
“Fireplaces are a sought-after feature among home buyers, and removing them will negatively affect the value of your home,” says Dogan, who adds that they are inviting and evoke feelings of warmth and charm—especially in the Northeast.
What do you do with an unused chimney?
Unused chimneys not only waste a lot of heat, they also pose a potential damp problem as well as being a cause of smoking fireplaces and stoves. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator.
How are chimneys attached to house?
Usually there is a strap at the top of the upper floor and another close to the peak of the gable. The peak strap can also be lagged to the gable rafter or barge rafter. These straps are designed to help counteract horizontal movement of the chimney due to wind.
How do you cap off a brick chimney?
How to Cap a Chimney InstructionsMeasure the flue. ... Select a chimney cap that fits the flue. ... Slide the cap over the flue or insert into flue depending on design of cap.Leave at least 6 inches of space between top of cap and flue edge.The cap should come with self-tapping screws.More items...
Do I need a structural engineer to remove a chimney breast?
If you discover that the chimney breast you want to remove is real, then you will almost certainly need to contact a structural engineer. Actual chimney breasts form part of the structure of a house – once removed, the addition of support beams may need to be incorporated to support any masonry above.
Is it OK to remove a chimney stack?
You should only reduce or remove your chimney if you're absolutely sure it isn't providing ventilation or being used as a flue by any heat-producing appliance.
Can you remove a chimney breast without removing the stack?
An internal chimney breast can be removed at ground and/or first floor without having to remove the external stack. No only does this mean it is actually not as disruptive as you might have thought, but it also avoids the need to alter the roof or external appearance and character of the building.
How do you remove a chimney from a house?
Here's what's involved with a chimney stack removal:Erect scaffold or access tower up to the chimney.Remove the chimney stack to just below the roof tiles and lower the bricks to ground level.Supply and install new roof timbers and felt to cover the hole.Tile over the hole with new roof tiles to match the existing.More items...
How difficult is it to remove a chimney breast?
This can be a timely and work intensive process. It's not a job that can be done in a day, plus you may find yourself living in a building site for a week! Be sure that you weigh up how much you really want that chimney breast gone when you research how much work it will involve.
How to make sure scaffold is secure?
Make sure that the scaffold has stable flooring and comes equipped with safety rails. Before climbing up onto the scaffold, triple check that it is securely attached to the building.
How much does it cost to remove a chimney?
Removing an entire chimney—stack and breast—costs $2,500 - $7,500 on average; however, chimney removal costs vary from one chimney to the next for a number of reasons.
How are chimneys demolished?
Chimneys are demolished from the top down, one brick at a time.
What happens when you get down to the firebox?
When you get down to the firebox, you’ll have a hole in the wall that you’ll want to rectify as quickly as possible, since it will leave your home open to the elements.
Do you need a carbon monoxide detector for ventless chimney?
If you decide to go the ventless route, have a carbon monoxide detector installed. So far, none of the work you’re doing will affect the home’s structure. However, if your chimney extends below the floor and into the foundation, you’re looking at fixing floor framing and potentially some foundation work.
Can you throw bricks off a scaffold?
To keep your lawn from getting messy, don’t throw the bricks off the scaffold (as tempting as it may be).
Can you patch a chimney and firebox?
Once you get to roofline level, you can stop and patch the roof, leaving the chimney breast and firebox/fireplace remaining, or you could continue removing the entire chimney and the firebox, too .
What is a chimney removal?
A chimney is a complex structure that consists of two primary parts: the chimney breast in the interior wall of your home and the chimney stack that’s visible from the outside.
What equipment do you need to be a scuba diver?
Make sure you buy all the necessary safety equipment: goggles, gloves, work boots, dust mask, safety harness and a helmet.
Do you have to remove a chimney breast?
The chimney breast doesn’t have to be removed at all. If you wish, you can leave it as part of your home’s decoration. Full chimney removals tend to be time-consuming and much more complex as you have to remove the entire structure. The end result will be large gaps that require filling so be prepared for the extra cost.
Can you remove an old chimney?
If your old chimney isn’t serving any purpose, you might want to consider removing it. Unfortunately, this isn’t as simple as it sounds and may even prove more costly than it’s worth. There are a number of important factors to consider before you begin tearing down your old chimney. While the chimney removal process itself is quite straightforward, you should take some precautions before proceeding with this project.
Do you need anchor bolts to take down brick?
– Anchor bolts must be drilled into the brickwork before you start taking down the bricks one at a time. The brickwork’s condition is critical in ensuring safe removal of the bricks.
Can you demolish a chimney?
Your old chimney types are demolished one brick at a time starting from the top. While it is possible to DIY this project, it is not advised to take on such projects if you don’t have the experience. In fact, it is possible to do more harm than good by damaging the building’s structural integrity. This could cost you much more than the actual project itself!
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What Are The Costs Of Removing A Chimney?
If you’re a beginner in the DIY world and you would rather hire a professional, there’s no shame in that! We all must start somewhere.
Should I Do A Partial Removal Or Full Removal?
Before you even begin, you will need to know whether you’re going to do a full removal or partial removal. This will change the removal process drastically, which is why you need to know what you’re going to do before you start.
What part of the roof is removed when you remove the chimney?
If you’re going with partial removal, you will only be removing the chimney stack, which is the part that’s sticking up on your roof that everyone can see. If you’re doing a full removal, you will remove both the chimney stack and the breast.
Why do you need to check the structure before removing a chimney?
It’s vital that you check the house’s structure before removing the chimney to prevent any potential accidents or injuries. Take the time to add additional support where it’s needed, and be prepared to make any renovations along the way! While you may be inclined to rush this process, it’s crucial that you go slowly, brick by brick. This helps avoid any preventable mistakes and injuries.
What to do when you're assessing what you need to finish?
When you’re assessing what you need to do to finish, check the structure of the home. The structure should still be completely intact. If it’s not, you will need to fix the problem or call a professional to do so.
Can you remove a chimney breast?
However, some people decide they want to keep the chimney breast for decoration and the fireplace for a nice touch of design. However, this will depend on what you want to do with your home as well as the budget you’re looking at.
Can you support a chimney?
You can do support the nearby structures by installing some support beams. Check the areas where your chimney is connected to the wall as these are the areas that are more prone to collapse and a higher risk of causing injury.
What is the purpose of sump pump?
A sump pump can help keep your basement or crawl space dry, eliminating excess moisture and groundwater from seeping into your home.
What causes foundation jitters?
Foundation settlement is not at all uncommon and can be caused by one or more of the following conditions: hillsides slide downhill; clay soils shrink when dry; sandy soils liquefy with heavy rains or flooding; and seismic activity can rattle the whole foundation . Homes near areas of heavy traffic, industrial zones or mining operations also are subject to foundation jitters.
Can a chimney be removed without a new flue?
Answer: Are you sure the chimney is no longer used? Assuming the chimney is in the middle of the home, and not on the exterior, the chimney may have been used not only by the old furnace but also by a gas water heater. Removing the chimney without providing a new flue for the water heater could fill the home with deadly carbon monoxide gas.
Can a vapor barrier be installed in a crawl space?
Installing a vapor barrier in your crawl space can cut moisture problems in half, leaving your home better protected from mold and water damage.
Can you put a chimney down below the roof?
If you are absolutely sure the chimney is no longer used by any of the home's fuel-burning appliances, then, yes, by all means, take the chimney down below the roof. Anything that projects through the roof is a source for a leak just waiting to happen.
Who is the master inspector of the American Society of Home Inspectors?
Start your investigation with a qualified home inspector, one who is a member of NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors) or ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors.) (Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors.)
Can lack of proper planning leave your foundation vulnerable?
Lack of proper planning can leave your foundation vulnerable. Develop a home grading plan for the best results.
