New chimney liner
We had a crisis at the almost-complete renovation today where the flue got clogged up the boiler backed up and smoke billowed through the house. Apparently some of the old terra cotta chimney liner had fallen off, blocking the flue. We had a chimney guy snake a camera, he said it was clear now but…
We had a crisis at the almost-complete renovation today where the flue got clogged up the boiler backed up and smoke billowed through the house. Apparently some of the old terra cotta chimney liner had fallen off, blocking the flue. We had a chimney guy snake a camera, he said it was clear now but he showed me where the liner was falling off and said we had to put in a new stainless steel liner and it would cost approx. $5500.
Has anyone confronted this problem? Did you take care of it immediately or can it be deferred? Can you recommend a chimney company for a second price?
Thanks very much for all the Recs. I got a better price from Andre than the others and yet he also said I didn’t need to replace it right away. After a year of getting the hard sell from every tradesman, I quite appreciate someone who tells me I don’t need it, but I think I might do it anyway, since his price was reasonable.
I think the switch on the boiler turned off, but still a lot of carbonized soot came into the house got into the house. Now we’ve cleaned up the boiler, but the contractor can’t get it turned on again. So now we have to figure that out…
Also one of the chimney guys thought we should add a clean-out door, which the old house never had. Do you all think that’s essential? It seems useful, but maybe not necessary.
I recommend Andre from A&A Chimney. Put a chimney liner in my 3 story for $2,000. Friendly, fast, reliable. 917.767.6841
We got our chimney relined a couple of years ago by B&P Chimney. Our house is 3 stories, not sure how much diff. it makes if yours is taller, but we sure didn’t pay anywhere near 5K for the job.
birchwoodc’s questions are spot on. Another point is if the flue is a straight run to the roof , or if it has some curves. Installing a stainless liner on a straight run if fairly easy. Depending on how far your boiler is from the roof, a kit would run about $600.00 to $800.00 for a flex liner and roughly $300 additional for a rigid liner. If your boiler requires a double wall liner it would be roughly double that cost. Again, if it is a straight run, installation is easy. I installed my liner in about three hours. Not knowing the variable, the first quote seems a little steep.
Did you put in a new boiler and what type of fuel does it use,oil or gas?If the new boiler has a very high efficient rating,it will make sense to put in the stainless steel liner,unless it is a direct vent requiring pvc piping.
Doesn’t your boiler or furnace have a spill switch that shuts it off if the flue is blocked? If not (and it sounds like that’s the case) these can be installed fairly inexpensively. CO is NOT something you’d want to fool around with!
Try Jacobsen-718-338-5338. I would pick him over Manny, who has a good rep but tried to sell me something I really didn’t need.
Whatever you do, get multiple estimates. Not all but many chimney guys are a bit shady, to put it kindly,and will make you think your place is in grave danger of burning down unless you fork over a lot of cash ASAP.
Call Manny Lasalle. He is an expert on all aspects of fireplaces, flues, repairs, safety. His number is 917-292-1825. He has done a lot of work for me and is consistently excellent – nice guy and good prices too.