| If you need chimney repair and it is beyond the point | | | | down further or do a little work inside the attic to |
| of repair for chimney tuckpointing it must be tore | | | | get it to a secure rebuild point. |
| down and rebuilt, and there are a few things that | | | | Now that your ready to rebuild be get your new |
| you must do to ensure that your new chimney will | | | | building materials up to your work station and start |
| last for years to come. | | | | laying in brick. it is very important to keep the |
| The first thing you must do is select the proper | | | | courses level and plum to ensure a good looking and |
| building materials. You should use a brick that is solid | | | | lasting chimney. If you are using clay flue liners put |
| with no holes in it this will increase its durability. Bricks | | | | one in place as you go, once it is secured by brick all |
| that are cored (with holes) tend to have a much | | | | the way around it up to the top then place your |
| shorter life because moisture can build up in the hole | | | | next one in place and continue the process till you hit |
| cavities and break down the brick and mortar joints | | | | your desired height. code for most areas is 10 foot |
| from the inside out, this is especially a problem in | | | | from nearest roof line and then 2 foot above that |
| colder regions. So be sure to pick out a solid brick if | | | | for proper drafting of fumes, Generally in most cases |
| you can. | | | | if you build it to the same height it was you should |
| Next the chimney needs to be tore down. You first | | | | be ok, but be sure to check your area code just to |
| must protect your roof from falling debris, do this by | | | | be sure. |
| placing a cloth tarp down over it around the chimney. | | | | After all your brick and flu liners are in place you need |
| You should really use cloth tarps because plastic vinyl | | | | to pour a concrete cap, this is one on the most |
| ones can be slippery and you don't want to slip and | | | | important features of your chimney and it should be |
| fall, it could result in serious injury or death. After | | | | done correctly to ensure a long lasting chimney. Yor |
| your tarps are in place start by removing the | | | | flu liner should be sitting about 6 inches above your |
| concrete cap first, the concrete cap must be first or | | | | last course of brick, next build a form out of 2×4's |
| you risk a avalanche of heavy masonry units falling all | | | | around the top course of brick, fill your form up with |
| over the place and possibly through your roof. You | | | | concrete till you reach the top of your form, Put a |
| may have to use a partner saw to cut it in sections | | | | slight slope on the cap from the liner down to the |
| first before picking it up, they can be very heavy. | | | | edge of form for good water shedding. Also tap |
| Next thing after the concrete cap has been removed | | | | your form lightly as you fill it to help reduce bubbles |
| is to start removing brick. It is best to use a small | | | | in the pour. After it sets up for a bit say a few hours |
| hammer drill for this with a pick attachment on it and | | | | pull the form and smooth off the edges of it with a |
| just focus the pick on the joint below the brick you | | | | small concrete float to seal all holes and to also make |
| are removing till it breaks free and you can grab it. | | | | the cap look nice. |
| Depending on the roof pitch and placement of the | | | | After that is complete install a draft cap, or also |
| chimney you should use a bucket to put debris in or | | | | called a bird cap to finish off the chimney. One of |
| if you are confident it is safe below you can throw | | | | these is needed to reduce the chance of back drafts |
| the brick down to the ground in a designated roped | | | | pushing fumes back into your house and they also |
| off area below. Be sure to remove the center clay | | | | serve to rain out and to keeps small animals out as |
| flu liner if there is one, as well as you work your way | | | | well. They can be picked up at just about any home |
| down, but try not to break it, odds are you will send | | | | improvement store and are relatively cheap. You |
| debris down your chimney shaft which is not a good | | | | must also install your flashing around the base of |
| thing and it will have to then be cleaned out. The | | | | chimney as well to ensure that is is sealed and water |
| brick should be removed down to just inside your | | | | tight. |
| roof line unless its really bad you may have to reach | | | | |