Opening up a chimney?

[Anonymous]

The chimney in my 1900 townhouse has been sealed by pouring concrete down it. I'd love to open it back up again. I realize that it will probably have to be a gas fireplace since it's a old coal fireplace. The gas line outside my house is very close to the fireplace, so I think it's doable, and there are no vents near the location of the fireplace (in other words, I don't think they used the chimney in the hvac installation or put any wiring in there. Has anyone opened up their chimney? Can you recommend any guys to do it?

[Anonymous]

You are going to have to replace the chimney. Otherwise I'm not sure how they who'd chisel out the cement in less its very little. Then you'd have to run a chimney liner and repair it. If you can, you might be able to do a gas fireplace with a direct vent if it is on a wall directly outside. I'd call a chimney/fireplace company. Anything can be done, its just a matter of price.

[Anonymous]

Get ready to spend a boatload of money. I just had new flue and fireplace liners installed and it cost $8,000. I can't imagine what it would cost to chip out that concrete, if it can even be done. I would bet you're gong to have to have the whole thing torn out and rebuilt.

[Anonymous]

I have budgeted up to $12,000 for it, so I'm okay paying up to that. What do you mean by "replace the chimney"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have budgeted up to $12,000 for it, so I'm okay paying up to that. What do you mean by "replace the chimney"?

As in - will they open up all the walls? I think they just poured cement or some sort of cement-like substance down the chimney. It's crumbling (you can just pick off pieces with your fingernails at this point).

[Anonymous]

Is it in an exterior wall or do you share that wall with the neighbor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have budgeted up to $12,000 for it, so I'm okay paying up to that. What do you mean by "replace the chimney"?

As in - will they open up all the walls? I think they just poured cement or some sort of cement-like substance down the chimney. It's crumbling (you can just pick off pieces with your fingernails at this point).

Try to get it out. If it can come out, they can probably drop a chimney liner in it and it will be fine. Otherwise, you may have to either open it up from the inside of the house or take it off and rebuild it from the outside and it may be more than $12,000. Call around and get some bids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it in an exterior wall or do you share that wall with the neighbor?

Our house is semi-detached and of course it's the only wall we share with the neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have budgeted up to $12,000 for it, so I'm okay paying up to that. What do you mean by "replace the chimney"?

As in - will they open up all the walls? I think they just poured cement or some sort of cement-like substance down the chimney. It's crumbling (you can just pick off pieces with your fingernails at this point).

Try to get it out. If it can come out, they can probably drop a chimney liner in it and it will be fine. Otherwise, you may have to either open it up from the inside of the house or take it off and rebuild it from the outside and it may be more than $12,000. Call around and get some bids.

Thank you! I think past 12k it isn't worth it (especially considering our insurance will likely go up).

I am worried about trying to remove anything since I've heard horror stories of 4 feet of soot coming out at once. Hopefully it can be removed and they can just stick a chimney liner in it.

[Anonymous]

If anyone else has any suggestions, we'd love them! Feel free to put any recommendations for companies that do this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have budgeted up to $12,000 for it, so I'm okay paying up to that. What do you mean by "replace the chimney"?

As in - will they open up all the walls? I think they just poured cement or some sort of cement-like substance down the chimney. It's crumbling (you can just pick off pieces with your fingernails at this point).

Try to get it out. If it can come out, they can probably drop a chimney liner in it and it will be fine. Otherwise, you may have to either open it up from the inside of the house or take it off and rebuild it from the outside and it may be more than $12,000. Call around and get some bids.

Thank you! I think past 12k it isn't worth it (especially considering our insurance will likely go up).

I am worried about trying to remove anything since I've heard horror stories of 4 feet of soot coming out at once. Hopefully it can be removed and they can just stick a chimney liner in it.

It may not be that simple given the age of the house. If the chimney is crumbling it will still need repair work as well. I wanted a new gas fireplace installed in the basement direct vent and we were told 8k plus depending on the fireplace. We decided it was not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have budgeted up to $12,000 for it, so I'm okay paying up to that. What do you mean by "replace the chimney"?

As in - will they open up all the walls? I think they just poured cement or some sort of cement-like substance down the chimney. It's crumbling (you can just pick off pieces with your fingernails at this point).

Try to get it out. If it can come out, they can probably drop a chimney liner in it and it will be fine. Otherwise, you may have to either open it up from the inside of the house or take it off and rebuild it from the outside and it may be more than $12,000. Call around and get some bids.

Thank you! I think past 12k it isn't worth it (especially considering our insurance will likely go up).

I am worried about trying to remove anything since I've heard horror stories of 4 feet of soot coming out at once. Hopefully it can be removed and they can just stick a chimney liner in it.

It may not be that simple given the age of the house. If the chimney is crumbling it will still need repair work as well. I wanted a new gas fireplace installed in the basement direct vent and we were told 8k plus depending on the fireplace. We decided it was not worth it.

Which company was this if you don't mind me asking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have budgeted up to $12,000 for it, so I'm okay paying up to that. What do you mean by "replace the chimney"?

As in - will they open up all the walls? I think they just poured cement or some sort of cement-like substance down the chimney. It's crumbling (you can just pick off pieces with your fingernails at this point).

Try to get it out. If it can come out, they can probably drop a chimney liner in it and it will be fine. Otherwise, you may have to either open it up from the inside of the house or take it off and rebuild it from the outside and it may be more than $12,000. Call around and get some bids.

Thank you! I think past 12k it isn't worth it (especially considering our insurance will likely go up).

I am worried about trying to remove anything since I've heard horror stories of 4 feet of soot coming out at once. Hopefully it can be removed and they can just stick a chimney liner in it.

It may not be that simple given the age of the house. If the chimney is crumbling it will still need repair work as well. I wanted a new gas fireplace installed in the basement direct vent and we were told 8k plus depending on the fireplace. We decided it was not worth it.

Which company was this if you don't mind me asking?

I called a few fire place companies I found online.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor had lightning strike and explode his chimney. Replacing it was far more than $12000 but it also was massive and an elaborate pattern.

[Anonymous]

Recently my neighbor opened up their chimney. For this process they hired chimney expert from Nassau county, as they have detailed knowledge and experience about the process. I would also recommend to hire experts for this work as they possess the necessary skills, knowledge, expertise for this field. By hiring professionals you can keep your chimney clean and in good shape is a good way to keep your family safe.