Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Apr 19, 2007 01:27am | #1

   I'll be letting the Grant-miester tell ya.

   Me? I'd run upwind...good luck.

   Parolee # 40835

1. 
   dedubya | Apr 19, 2007 03:10am | #8

   The cap is what looks iffy to me,besides the rainbow motif on some of the chimney courses--What I look for first are the percentage of loose  or damaged brick, then second smoke traces on the exterior of the chimney,that chimney actually looks pretty good-------But if you are up there  to repair or replace the slate  I would recommend a rebuild  not just a repoint just because of the shape that cap is in,I would hate to see a scrungy old chimney cap fall on a nice just rebuilt roof.

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 19, 2007 03:19am | #9

   Thats the exact thinking I employed.

   Why spend all the time and effort to completely redo the roof-then have the chimney fall down in 10 or so years.

   That top is very heavy and overhung -just  waiting for a huge wind storm like we just experienced to topple I feel.

2. 
   seeyou | Apr 19, 2007 02:49am | #2

   >>>>>>>The boiler runs on this one.
   Probably needs a liner if it doesn't have one already.

   That thing looks pretty true. Looks like lime rich mortar that would plug out pretty easy. My biggest concern would be how strong it is at the roof line. Is this on the same house that has the rake that stands proud of the slate?

   http://grantlogan.net/

1. 
   Sphere | Apr 19, 2007 02:55am | #5

   Did you notice in the last pic. that the chim. passes thru the ridge, or did I imagine that?

   Looks really soft, I'd hate to flash it, Geocel don't like fuzzy mortar.Parolee # 40835

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 19, 2007 03:22am | #11

   Yes it is thru the ridge.

   I think I could cut those mortar joints with a SR knife.

1. 
   Sphere | Apr 19, 2007 03:50am | #12

   Ok, now that my mentor and past chimny sweep chimed in,...I'd say re-build it. It just looks too iffy to have waiting to drop on a new roof, or a mason to slobber up a new roof with acid wash and mortar repairs.

   Just my opinion.

   How bad is it below the roof line?Parolee # 40835

2. 
   theslateman | Apr 19, 2007 02:59am | #6

   Yes it is.

   My mason gave me a price to retop as it is built now.  I would stage and take it down and reflash while slating.

3. 
   gzajac | Apr 19, 2007 02:50am | #3

   Walter

   I don't know enough about chimneys to make that judgement. It would seem to me if you are putting a new hundred year roof under it, you would want it to last as long.Why go up there in another 15 years or so to repair it again? Are there flues in it? What shape are they in?

   I have worked on old roofs, where the only thing holding the chimneys up, was the flashing. Once we took off the tin flashing, the chimney would move six inches or so. We had to have that one rebuilt.

   Any sign of spring up there?

    

   Greg in Connecticut

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 19, 2007 03:04am | #7

   Greg,

   There is a rumor we might hit 60 on Saturday!

   I've told the owner today it needs to be rebuilt and printed out pictures for him to give out in the A.M.

   I wanted to get some sense if others felt as I did ,it was beyond pointing.

   It being early in the season my mason gave me a hell of a price.

   Walter

2. 
   MikeSmith | Apr 19, 2007 04:02am | #13

   walter..unless the owner had deep pockets and could afford a great mason

   i'd repoint it

   View ImageMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 19, 2007 11:39am | #14

   Mike,

   I think it looks worse up close and in real time. The boiler gasses have really eaten out the mortar away from behind.

   My mason is eager to get going outside this season and has given me a great price I feel.

   Notice how the rafter butts up onto the brickwork- holding the rafter up and bulging the sheathing and slates. We'll cut that back today to level out the sheathing.

   Walter

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 19, 2007 11:54am | #15

   Mike,

   I forgot to attach the picture- thought  it showed in the others

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 20, 2007 12:11am | #16

   Here are some more shots of the roof and rafter which sat on a brick ledge- causing the roof to heave up.

   Look at the hole where the rafter sat.  There were no wythe courses, just a large single flue which the boiler exhausts into. The two fireplaces have been closed off for years- thank goodness or I'd have no roof to do.

4. 
   arnemckinley | Apr 19, 2007 02:55am | #4

   that chimney apears to be perfectly plumb. if the bricks aren't loose i would just repoint, it could easily last another 50 yrs.

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 19, 2007 03:20am | #10

   Thanks for the input.

   Walter

5. 
   theslateman | Apr 21, 2007 03:55am | #17

   The  owner met with my mason and me today and it was decided to rebuild it as it is presently ,and as Grant noted to install a 7" stainless liner to service the boiler.

   More pictures later as we tear down and rebuild.

   Walter

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 24, 2007 02:17am | #18

   Here are some shots of the set up and tear down process.

1. 
   JohnT8 | Apr 24, 2007 06:22pm | #19

   Looks like those bricks would come off pretty easy.

    jt8

   "The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide."-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1. 
   theslateman | Apr 25, 2007 12:58am | #20

   The single brick section in the middle was easily removed without using my mini maul.

   The top piece was in danger of falling off and i was lucky to get it down without incident.