They are really tall, and the pointing on them (mortar stuff) seems to be aging... and the house is like 50 years old as well.
A friend told me they might be dangerous - could come down on top of someone.
A few of the houses on the opposite street (I can see them from loft/attic extension room) have had their chimneys lowered at some point - but what kind of tradesman would I be needing to do such a job?
They are tall and look heavy, and I guess there would have to be care taken as the bricks will drop on to the driveway below (and hopefully not down on next-door's extension).
Also I'd like to just get up there by a rope and take a sledgehammer to them to save money, but I guess that might be unsafe and dangerous.
http://www.stormkrewsaders.com/chimney/2.jpg
http://www.stormkrewsaders.com/chimney/3.jpg
2007-07-10 08:47:56 · 10 answers · asked by Narky 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I can see no reason why a local builder could'nt take it down. I have seen a green "sausage" to keep the bricks from falling where they are not supposed to go . When capping the stub, make sure that there is a DPC to stop water getting down the pores of the brickwork.
2007-07-10 11:19:31 · answer #1 · answered by xenon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to find someone that specializes in chimney repair in the phone book. At the least you can contact a general contractor. If they can't do it they more than likely can point you to someone that can. Either way this is something you want to get several people to look at and get estimates from them all. Above all you want a reputable professional to take care of it. Chimneys are the one area of home improvement that can cause serious property and personal injury if not done correctly. The money spent on it is well worth it. If you have any doubts just search "chimneys" on the NFPA website.
2007-07-10 08:56:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your old furnace probably used the principle of convection, (hot air rises), to get rid of the exhaust gases through the chimney, most of them did. However, if you're contemplating installing the same type of furnace, gas, fuel oil, wood, etc, then you're going to need to replace the flue, (chimney), liner. Odds are there's one in there now. They've been required for some time. My house was built in 1904 and it's got a chimney liner for a gas forced air furnace that's probably 30 years old. Rich is correct though, in his assessment that you should seriously consider a newer type hi-efficiency furnace. They don't just let the exhaust go up a chimney by convection, they use a fan to blow it up and out, so fast, in fact, that you can now use PVC piping to route the exhaust thru a wall somewhere instead of putting it in the chimney. The gases go thru the pipes so fast that they don't get hot enough to soften up. Hope that helps.
2016-05-18 21:49:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
50 years is not old. Get a bricklayer to look at the chimney it may only need pointing. As for (stevetower) a steeple jack come of it. you are supposed to be top contributor. what (sensible-man) says ref height of stack in relation to the ridge of roof will have some effect on the way a chimney draws air up the flue.so be care full if you lower the height of chimney. That's why you should speak to a bricklayer. And please forget all this talk of masons and steeple jacks.
2007-07-10 18:26:47 · answer #4 · answered by STEW POT 47 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if you want to lower them or, as the sledgehammer suggests, remove them?
Either way get a local roofer with a good reputation to do the work. Check that he is insured for any damage which may occur. If you are lowering them buy new shorter pots. If lowering or removing them altogether stress to the roofer that they must be removed without being damaged. The reason for this is because they are very valuable in the second hand market. Selling them would probably pay, or help towards, the cost of the work done.
Good luck.
2007-07-11 01:37:26 · answer #5 · answered by stickadiddle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need a brick mason. The reason some chimneys are high is so that they don't get a down-draft from the roof peak. Most chimneys need to be at least 3 foot higher than the peak to work properly.
2007-07-10 09:01:33 · answer #6 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
call it names soon get down!!!
seriously any reputable roofing business will take that down and rebuild to height required.
50yrs old thats a baby mines 100 yrs old next month.
the cost will be that to have job done proffessionaly contractors will need scaffolding round house,skip,chute to through debris down sraight into skip and also permits for skip hire(if kept on street) and depending on size you may need planning permission and enviromental inspection.
cheaper way would be for a loft conversion but a mishap occurred while nobody was in the house.
2007-07-10 15:11:56 · answer #7 · answered by welshnproud 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As I have done one of these recently, a good brickie or general builder should be able to undertake this.
If they get their roofing ladders off and you see lots of uping and downing on the ladder, tell them to get on their horses and ride off.
The proper and safe way of doing this is to use scaffold. They will erect it at the correct height and will ensure a safe working platform.
This also provides a way for you to inspect the job without considerable risk.
2007-07-11 08:25:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be a mason that you would want... but make sure that lowering it will still pass building & safety codes. There could be more of a danger than just falling bricks...
2007-07-10 08:57:19 · answer #9 · answered by mama_bears_den 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A mason or steeple jack can do this work. Look in the yellow pages or ask your neighbors who they used.
2007-07-10 08:57:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋