Chimney repointing
#1
10-19-10, 06:26 AM
Chimney repointing
I just finished inspecting and poking around our 35-year-old chimney and some of the joints in the top two rows of brick are basically moist sand. In a few places, my chisel went completely through and I could actually scrape out this sandy mortar. The face of the joint is dry, it's the inside that's moist. Two of the corner bricks are wiggly.
I recently discovered that our boiler and indirect water heater vent directly into the basement fireplace (never used) and I could feel warm, moist air coming out of the flue while I was on the roof. We haven't run our boiler since last spring. So, my question is, can I repoint even though some of the voids are a brick's width, or must I hire a mason to rebuild the top two rows? The existing crown is very solid but does have one crack (previously repaired with caulk, it looks like).
I got one bid to repoint and redo the crown for $2200. This mason only inspected from the ground, so I'm not sure how he decided a price. Masons in my brother's area (Midwest) charge $500 for the same job.
I recently discovered that our boiler and indirect water heater vent directly into the basement fireplace (never used) and I could feel warm, moist air coming out of the flue while I was on the roof. We haven't run our boiler since last spring. So, my question is, can I repoint even though some of the voids are a brick's width, or must I hire a mason to rebuild the top two rows? The existing crown is very solid but does have one crack (previously repaired with caulk, it looks like).
I got one bid to repoint and redo the crown for $2200. This mason only inspected from the ground, so I'm not sure how he decided a price. Masons in my brother's area (Midwest) charge $500 for the same job.
#2
10-20-10, 03:39 AM
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Since the cap has an existing crack, and there are other repairs to be made I would think a rebuild is in order. Prices for a repair are going to fluctuate regionally. Prices in the Midwest are not going to be good any where in the "USA". (listed as your location). Perhaps providing a better location would provide for a better idea on the repair cost.
next time you need a price, park your lamborghini across the st 
#4
10-20-10, 12:27 PM
No fancy cars in my driveway, just an old Toyota pick-up. Maybe the reason for the high bid is I live in Fairfax County, Virginia--currently the 2nd highest cost-of-living area in the country.
Although there is a crack, the crown is very solid otherwise. From what I've read about chimney crowns, the vast majority are incorrectly built. They should be reinforced concrete, not mortar, and should overhang the edge of the brick by 2", with a drip-edge. Also, a gap must be left around the flue and later filled with special caulking. Since mine has no gap, the crown probably cracked when the flue expanded. Not sure I'm up for rebuilding. A chimney guy proposed fixing the crack with "Crown Cap" some rubberized goop, painted on, that's supposed to last 10 yrs.
Although there is a crack, the crown is very solid otherwise. From what I've read about chimney crowns, the vast majority are incorrectly built. They should be reinforced concrete, not mortar, and should overhang the edge of the brick by 2", with a drip-edge. Also, a gap must be left around the flue and later filled with special caulking. Since mine has no gap, the crown probably cracked when the flue expanded. Not sure I'm up for rebuilding. A chimney guy proposed fixing the crack with "Crown Cap" some rubberized goop, painted on, that's supposed to last 10 yrs.
#5
10-21-10, 10:42 AM
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Is it possible to cut into a pre-fab chimney to install a new one? i have a brick-based 'for looks only' chimney in a custom cabin and we want to add a real fireplace
#6
10-25-10, 09:46 AM
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Have the mason park HIS Lamborghini across the street. That price seems awfully high. My mason charged about $400 a day for labor. And I live in CT. One thing to consider is that he may have to set up substantial scaffolding or something to make a safe working environment. That could eat up half the day right there and that he could estimate from the ground. But I would get another quote. Seems like a lot of money.
#8
11-18-10, 02:45 PM
chimmey tucking
in reading your post have to kn ow high the chimmey is, the pitch on the roof very steep , if you have to set up scafolding and to put scfolding on the roof if the crown is cracked, in what we do is tuck point the chimmey grind out join ts or if bad rebuild it and it should not run much over $600.00 and that is a pretty good price now if you have to get a man lift that is more money and one more thing you said the first 2 rows, they are not rows, they are called courses, i would love to have a job that pays $2200 i think if you just have the first 2 courses relaid you should be allright and have the crown replaced
