Twistoflex chimney column

[Jim Baird]

I love giving credit where it is due, but I would never include these comments in my all-business report.  I get paid to find not to gush.

Anyway this mason had to find his way from the hearth to the middle of the roof ridge, so he did it with a spiral corbel.  Not sure how he worked out his liners!

 

[Marc]

A true spiral would leave a clear vertical column for the liner about its axis.

Edited August 7, 2020 by Marc

[Jim Katen]

Liner? 

What is this "liner" that you speak of? 

[Jim Baird]

There is a single clay flue liner in the middle, likely straight up.

[Jim Katen]

*Real* chimneys don't need no stinkin' liners. 

 

[Marc]

They don't?  I thought they all did.

Edited August 8, 2020 by Marc

[Jim Katen]

In my area, chimneys didn't start to have liners till about the '60s. Most of the houses that I look at are older than that. 

[Mike Lamb]

I rarely find problems with unlined chimneys that run up the middle of the house in cold Chicago. However, chimneys run-up the outside wall of the house is a different story.

[John Kogel]

Here before mid-60's, it was common to add just one clay liner at the top for looks. In an older house, if you don't shine a light in there or take a pic with a flash, there is no guarantee of a lined chimney.

I will call out any unlined chimney for repair. New rules demand full scaffolding and fall protection for a mason before he can even repoint the outside. Old chimneys are a liability because there is no cheap fix and fire insurance keeps going up.

Cheapest and best is a conversion to NG with a metal liner.

[Jim Katen]

Quickest conversion is an earthquake.