Chestnut Hill Chimney & Hearth

(603) 755-4835

 

Home Page

Gallery of Good Ideas

Products

Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Below are some photos that we have taken over the years at various customer's homes. They detail problems that we have seen. No information is available on this page that can identify any particular customer. We always keep customer information private. The intent of this page is give examples of what can go wrong, that we can fix.

Properly installed chimneys, liners and appliances don't fail, don't catch on fire, don't leak carbon monoxide into your home, don't harm your family or burn your house down. Doing something properly may cost more initially, but is well worth it in the long run.

Dangerous rain cap can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning

Never use an umbrella as a rain cap, even as a temporary fix during a storm. Flue gases from the furnace can be trapped under here and forced back into the house, filling the house with carbon monoxide. We do provide emergency services.

 

 

 

 

 

Poured chimney liner failed This is an example of why we don't do poured liners. This pour was not lined up correctly and damaged the chimney. The entire chimney had to come down as there is no way to "fix" a poured liner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poured chimney liner damged chimneyPoured chimney liner cracked open chimney

This chimney is cracked vertically from a poured liner. Again there is no fix other than a complete teardown and replacement.

Hidden combustibles under a hearth are a fire hazardBurned hidden combustibles under a hearth. Pyrolization occurs over time, lowering the ignition point of wood. Many hearths have hidden combustibles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorrect clearance to combustibles caused a fireplace wall fire.

Damage caused by incorrect clearances above a fireplace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorrect clearances to combustibles can cause a home fireCombining heat and flammable chemicals is never a good idea. This is extremely dangerous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INcorrect clearance to combustibles behind a fireplace can burn down your homeHidden combustibles in a stone wall behind a fireplace. The stone work (and this applies to brick as well) is not a sufficient heat barrier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorrect or insufficeint floor protection in front of a woodstove can cause the floor to catch on fire.Incorrect floor protection, floor protection must extend to the front and sides of the unit, as determined by the manufacturer, or by Fire Codes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wooden boards or beams under a fireplace will catch on fire.

Wooden boards directly underneath and supporting a fireplace. This will eventually catch fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bargain or discount installations of chimney liners can cause problems.Incorrect stainless steel liner installation. All of the black is soot. Unfortunately there a many companies that do "inexpensive" installs, and this is what happens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crushed chimney liners are improperly installed, are dangerous and void warratiesIn this case the installer crushed the liner to fit through a damper opening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount installation of chimney liner causes it to failAn improperly supported stainless steel liner system dropped. This is the view through the thimble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For examples of cracked flues as seen through the chimney scan screen

For deteriorated top of chimney with stone cap

 
To make an appointment or for answers to questions please call us at 603-755-4835

or email:

Mark (technical questions) chcs@metrocast.net 

Laura (all other questions) chcsadmin@metrocast.net