Just had a call for a chimney fire in a 1920s house over in the historic district

The old terra cotta liner was shot, and the homeowner had been using those pressed wood logs. Seeing that mess up close, I don't even give a quote anymore without a camera inspection first. How do you guys handle those old homes when the owner doesn't want to hear about a full reline?

3 comments

3 Comments

joel_jones1mo ago

Man, that takes me back to a job last fall with a similar setup. @the_alice is right about that combo being a recipe for disaster, and trying to explain the risk to a homeowner who just wants a cheap sweep is the worst part. I usually end up showing them pictures from my camera of the cracked tiles and explaining it's like driving on bald tires. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they just call the next guy.

the_alice1mo ago

Pressed wood logs in a 1920s flue? That's just asking for trouble. I'm honestly surprised they didn't have a full-on house fire with that combination. The creosote buildup must have been awful.

violaramirez1mo ago

Wait, are pressed wood logs actually worse for creosote than regular pine? I always thought the main risk with them in an old flue was the higher heat warping the liner. @the_alice is totally right about the danger, but the buildup might be from the type of wood, not just the flue age.