Noticed this crack on back wall while I was cleaning it out. My home is less than 5 years old but do use the fireplace quite often in the winter time. Help
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They may have used the wrong type of brick.Comment -
To lazy to type out long response.
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Must be those video game degenerates in the work force again, does not look good Philly.Comment -
That's no big deal at all. Most of them appear to be mortar cracks. Goes thru a few full bricks. Again, no biggie. The heat from the fires dry out your mortar, so it's not at all unusual to see it have some cracks. As far as the brick, still a pretty easy fix that any mason can do.
Truth is, you don't even really need to get it fixed. Chances are during the summer, it'll close up on its own. Weather has a lot to do with expansion.
No reason to worry or rush to get it repaired. Use your fireplace like you never noticed it. If it gets larger, call a mason to point it up. No worries.Comment -
Part of owning one
Enjoy it..go split fukkin logs manComment -
Looks like coach tried to slide down your chimney and deliver you some late Christmas gifts.Comment -
Who builds brick chimneys these days????Comment -
i don't think it's actual "brick". Seems to be some type of pre fab chimney that goes into the actual chimney area? There's supposed to be some metal plates behind this but who knows. Already had my roof deck replaced twice due to flooding. Theres no pride in what people build these days. It's all get it done quick.Comment -
As a retired 30 year General Contractor, that needs to be checked out, if the house is only 5 years old you should have some re course with the contractor who built the house, regardless of whether its actually brick or a simulated decorative inserted piece, you dont want smoke going behind that crack,JMO.
laterComment -
It is a cheap simulated brick insert. They crack and are shit cause cheap. Get a chimney company to replace that crap.Comment -
There are also fireplace and hearth companies but usually they charge more.Comment -
Anatomy of Your Chimney
Whether your masonry chimney is used to vent a fireplace, woodstove or furnace, most have sections of clay flue tile stacked one on top the other to form a liner called the flue.
The flue liner should be tightly sealed to protect the integrity and efficiency of your chimney. But over time, hidden dangers can develop that will compromise the safety and efficiency of your chimney.
Hidden Dangers In Your Chimney
Gaps Between Flue Tiles
The combustion process creates noxious gases that can contain creosote/soot, carbon monoxide and corrosive chemicals. The purpose of your chimney is to safely vent these hazardous flue gases from your home.
Flue tiles are typically sealed with mortar to keep these gases within the flue. But over time, the mixture of heat, moisture and chemicals will erode the mortar, leaving gaps or voids between flue tiles.
Cracked Flue Tiles
Flue tiles can crack due to “sudden occurrences” such as a previous chimney fire, lightning strike, or seismic event.
Cracks may also be caused by poor workmanship or the ongoing settling of your home.
Flaking Flue Tiles (Spalling)
Years of exposure to corrosive chemicals and moisture from combustion can attack clay flue tiles, causing pieces of the flue liner to flake off or delaminate, a process called spalling.
How These Hidden Dangers Can Affect You
Fire & Health Risks
These defects, no matter how small, can begin a process that will further erode the chimney and can pose a threat to your family’s health. When heat, moisture and gases escape through gaps and cracks in your chimney, they can deteriorate your chimney from the inside out. More importantly, the gaps and cracks can cause health risks, by allowing poisonous gases to escape into your home. Combustible creosote or soot can also escape through these openings and build up outside the flue liner. If the creosote were to catch fire in this area of your chimney, serious damage can occur, because the fire can no longer be contained within the flue.
Pieces of flue tile that flake off due to spalling can form dangerous blockages within your chimney.
Loss of Efficiency
Chimneys, to work correctly and efficiently, must be gas tight and free of gaps and cracks. Gases rising up through your chimney are similar to liquid being sipped through a straw. If the straw has a crack or hole in it the liquid will not flow effectively through it.
Gaps and cracks allow excess air into your chimney, slow the updraft and make it harder for smoke and gases to rise up and out. Hence, the fireplace, woodstove or furnace will perform poorly, resulting in the loss of heat efficiency.Comment -
Always something USCPhilly... this fukking world.
I do kinda agree with Opie though. If it gets worse... then call someone.
These chimney freaks are always trying to rip someone off. Be on the look out.Comment -
I say bore a hole in there...insert a small M-80 and ignite it...if the hole gets bigger you've got a problem...if not...buy a bucket of Spackle and fill the hole and carry on
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Bad builder, sell house immediatelyComment
