Here in the northeast we have very unique venting situations and challenges for our heating appliances. How many times have you seen a path of efflorescence on a chimney similar to the pattern on the right hand side of the chimney?
This is actually an indication of a serious problem with the venting of the heating appliances. When you can visually make out the path of an internal flue on an external chimney, look deeper. This flue is serving 2 gas fired appliances; a fan assisted 86% efficient furnace and a 40,000 BTU Water heater. Both appliances are creating interior flue condensation when they operated separately.
The most common repair for this issue is a PROPER chimney liner. Proper meaning properly sized, insulated (although not required, insulating a heating appliance chimney liner on an exterior chimney is highly recommended)
Once the source of the interior water issue is resolved, the efflorescence should be removed from the chimney and the chimney should be treated with a water repellent.
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