Old brick chimney with 6x6 clay liner. Water heater vents into it. Orphaned from furnace.

Chimney needs new flashing including cutting reglet. It leaks and has been an issue in the past evident from water damage on framing members in attic.

New direct vent water heater installed is about 1900.00. Knocking down the chimney and fixing decking and shingles is about 800.00. New electrical to water heater will be about 100. 3000 grand total.

Leaving it be and reflashing will end up costing in the 300-1000 range. Its kind of screwy situation since a reglet cannot be cut into the mortar properly since there is a stone veneer siding on the brick. It is not as simple as installing standard step and counter flashing because of the veneer.

Ive already spent close to 500 bucks on repair of the old flashing and I am still having leak issues.

Do I hedge my bets, cut my losses and knock it down? Or do I throw more money into the old chimney?

 

I can't see throwing more money into it, I'd bite the bullet and remove it.

 

Agree. It sounds as if you are looking for some validation for decision to take it down more than a recommendation on keeping it up. If it were me and I had the money AND it was still leaking after previous repairs I would take it down.

 

Another vote here for chimney removal. Make sure all voting parties in the household are in agreement, though. You don't want the Mrs. to say she's ready to have a fireplace installed, a week after you've gone through the effort of removing the chimney.

 

I know asking about cost is a local thing. But I was hoping you guys could throw some ballpark figures up so I can have them in my head while pondering my issue.

This is a small, 16x16 (that's a guess) chimney.

How much (ballpark) are the following repairs:
tuckpoint?
chimney crown replacement?
install metal liner?
totally re-building a chimney from attic, thru roof?
Installing a b-vent in a single story ranch from basement to roof? Can b-vent go thru existing chimney?
remove veneer and clean restore old brick of chimney?

Probably impossible to guess here... if I give this list to a contactor over the phone or if one comes out for an estimate dollar signs are going to be popping out of his ears!

 

Home depot etc has great clear roofing sealant that you can apply even in the rain. This isn't rocket science. $10.

 

It may not be rocket science, but wasting your money on Home Depot sealants won't solve your leakage problems.

Remove the chimney.