chimney flue: Fireplace Credibility Gap
- 04/09/13 08:42 PM
When so many things have a credibility gap these days - advertising, our "leaders," the news, you name it, then certainly it must be a big bummer when a house has a fireplace credibility gap. I like to get into the fireplace and see as far up a flue as possible. There's a lot to look at! When possible I like for my clients to do so too, and I explain to them what they are seeing. Recently, looking up into a very sooty fireplace flue, I saw something that is never good. A gap. A sizable gap! About 11"x4" and … (24 comments)
chimney flue: Air Conditioning In Winter
- 01/05/13 09:00 PM
There's not much better than some fine air conditioning in winter. When we entered this old house, with all the creaks and pops you can imagine, it was very cold. And after I cranked up the old boiler to circulate some hot water through the house, the house did not want to heat up. We did not know why. This is old school. At one time a wood stove, or even a coal-burning one, would be in various rooms. They provided the heat. At some point the house was modernized and a boiler circulating hot water through radiators was installed. Something … (35 comments)
Old house, new boiler, new flue, new connection to the old chimney. All good. Except for a couple of things. First, the hole beneath where the flues connect to the chimney has been filled with mortar. That is not good. Second, the new connection to the chimney required that the old connection from the water heater inclines downward. That impedes exhaust drafting. That is not good, either. On top of the hip roof, the chimney is on the side of the house. It is very high, too high for most ladders. And dangerous to access from the roof side. … (10 comments)
When so many things have a credibility gap these days - advertising, our "leaders," the news, you name it, then certainly it must be a big bummer when a house has a fireplace credibility gap.
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