Hey everyone! I'm dealing with a leaking chimney and need to get my roof redone. The roofer can also remove the chimney, but I'm curious about the impact on my fireplace. It hasn't been operational for a while (it's been capped since I bought the house), but I'm unsure what parts of the chimney are connected to the fireplace. Any advice?
3 Answers
In my case, the narrow part of my chimney was capped off before I bought the house, similar to what they might do here. Be cautious; removing the chimney could lead to significant changes. I tried to keep my fireplace for looks, but it required some heavy work since the support was tied into the chimney. Once I took everything out, I had to deal with a big hole in my wall, which got pretty pricey! If you're near earthquake-prone areas, be wary of those heavy bricks you might be getting rid of.
Before removing your chimney, make sure you don't have any appliances venting through it, like gas equipment. You want to avoid any issues with your home's ventilation.
The impact on your fireplace can vary based on the type of fireplace you have. Sharing some photos might get you better feedback. If it's just a decorative feature, it could be easier to manage than if it's structurally tied to the chimney.
Yeah, I really recommend assessing the structural changes first! Keeping it decorative is a good idea, but make sure it’s safe.