Chimney Inspection??

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 5:27 pm

I am going to have my chimneys inspected this summer, I have a couple questions, I have block chimneys with 6/3/4 x 6/3/4 flue tiles, I think that they are fine, they have some small cracks in the tiles but nothing falling apart, the blocks are in great shape, the oil furnace chimney is exterior, the coal stove chimney is in the center of the house, from the basement going up through one floor, roughly 24 feet, and the garage chimney has a Woodstove hooked to it, hopefully a coal stove this summer, and that is inside the middle of my garage, I know there going to "pressure" me to line them with ss but can they force me to? Like deny my inspection?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 7:04 pm

HB, why ya havin an outside entity inspect your chimneys?

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 7:49 pm

just for insurance purposes, I know of someone that unfortunately lost there house and garage due to a fire that started in the garage, apparently the thimble was cracked and leaked into the garage and started the fire, and if he hadnt had his chimney inspected every year they wouldnt have gone good with his insurance

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:12 pm

So who does the inspection, and do you have to pay for it ? I had my mafia insurance agent over this past summer and I told him I had 2 coal stoves and asked if that was a problem,...he looked over the top of his glasses at the stove in my living room and said "nope, looks good!" he didn't even care about the one in the basement.
My neighbor burned 9 cord of wood this winter and wants a coal boiler for next season. Well HIS SON is a fireman in another town and told him he needs to put in a liner if he wants to run a coal stove

All I'm saying is be careful, someones son-in-law or brother might be the liner installer!

About your buddy's thimble..the inspector failed not the thimble!

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:16 pm

a chimney sweep person would do it, ya I know what you mean, I just am one of those "what if" guys ya know

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:27 pm

The stove in the garage might be a no no. Do you keep vehicles, atv's , sleds, etc. open flame and fuel vapors don't mix.

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:29 pm

well I plan on taking that one out anyways for the summer due to the fact that its a homemade one, im hoping to find a small coal stove to replace that, and yes two cars in there, tractor, and one room in the garage with fuel tools etc

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 8:35 pm

You got the time on your side right now.

Get a copy of your insurance policy and read it and all the addendums. THAT IS WHAT GOVERNS THE PAYMENTS. If it does not specify that an annual inspection is required for payment of a loss, then it is not required. Plain and simple.

Also check the local codes. There is a big difference burning wood and its associated problems with creosote and burning coal. Most inspectors want to lump them in the same category. but they are 2 entirely different operations.

My chimney liner does have some cracks but all that does is allow extra air to enter the flue possibly reducing my overall draft. Yes we had a SS liner put in it and it failed partially collapsing and blocking the flue. It was removed and we have not had any issues since then.

Again read your policy and code manuals. Most state that open flame heaters must be at least 18" above the shop floor.

Now here comes the disclaimer: This is not meant to be legal advice or the interpretation of an insurance policy (contract). But this is my understanding of how policies are written and their meanings. Any interpretation of an insurance policy (contract) can only be done by those individual(s) properly licensed to do the same.

Rick

Berlin · Post by **Berlin** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 9:24 pm

Rob will hopefully be along shortly to recommend a guy that won't lie to you.

What was mentioned about insurance is correct, if it's not a condition of coverage, they can't deny claim period.

If you're burning coal, the chimneys draft well, are structurally sound, and clearances to combustables are observed you don't need a liner or an "inspection". Cracked tiles are not a big deal; they became a big deal because of the dishonest practices of csia "chimney professionals" and the metal liner lobby.

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 9:33 pm

ok I have a guy I guess that lives at the end of my road that is a chimney sweep, but I will prob look into my policy first and see what that states

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Mon. Mar. 17, 2014 3:21 am

All I can say is this: If you need to question yourself (or others), or have any doubts on install, etc., you might better play it safe, and call the man. Personally, I have lots of confidence in most everything I do. I go the extra mile for performance, as well as safety. Should I have a question, or want to bounce options / ideas off someone, I know true professionals in the trades. As far as I'm concerned, the less people know of my business, the better.

Post by **dcrane** » Mon. Mar. 17, 2014 6:31 am

Rick 386 wrote:You got the time on your side right now.

Get a copy of your insurance policy and read it and all the addendums. THAT IS WHAT GOVERNS THE PAYMENTS. If it does not specify that an annual inspection is required for payment of a loss, then it is not required. Plain and simple.

Also check the local codes. There is a big difference burning wood and its associated problems with creosote and burning coal. Most inspectors want to lump them in the same category. but they are 2 entirely different operations.

My chimney liner does have some cracks but all that does is allow extra air to enter the flue possibly reducing my overall draft. Yes we had a SS liner put in it and it failed partially collapsing and blocking the flue. It was removed and we have not had any issues since then.

Again read your policy and code manuals. Most state that open flame heaters must be at least 18" above the shop floor.

Now here comes the disclaimer: This is not meant to be legal advice or the interpretation of an insurance policy (contract). But this is my understanding of how policies are written and their meanings. Any interpretation of an insurance policy (contract) can only be done by those individual(s) properly licensed to do the same.

Rick

best advise ive heard^^^^ (disclaimer or not)... its well spoken, Ive never heard of an insurance company requiring an annual inspection report of a chimney be submitted each year to maintain coverage of insurance.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Mon. Mar. 17, 2014 6:59 am

The only inspection I would trust/believe is the one that the chimney sweeps use is the camara/video of your linings.Sight unseen is just speculation.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Mon. Mar. 17, 2014 7:03 am

Bingo...
On the Camera...
Show Me...
Otherwise there is no proof of the holes in my liner...

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Mon. Mar. 17, 2014 7:10 am

hotblast1357 wrote:well I plan on taking that one out anyways for the summer due to the fact that its a homemade one, im hoping to find a small coal stove to replace that, and yes two cars in there, tractor, and one room in the garage with fuel tools etc

Forget worrying about the chimney or a homemade stove - having any gas powered vehicles and fuel stored in the same room as any stove is going to be your biggest problem.

Gasoline vapors are heavier then air. They move in much higher concentrations below your nose level, . . and they get drawn to the stove by the same natural convection currents the stove makes as it heats the space.

You might want to ask your insurance company what they think about your having a stove in the garage before it's too late.

Paul