Cinder block or other material for chimney?

[Charlie S.]

Chunks of our 40 year old cinder block chimney are falling to the ground. Tomorrow, someone is coming over to give us an estimate. Originally, we were just going to rebuild from the roofline to the peak. But, I noticed that there is water type deterioration 4 or bricks lower.

The chimney is up against the outside of the house. It goes from the ground to the peak of a two story house with an attic. Thus, it is somewhat tall.

I'm wondering if there are different grades of cinder blocks that might last longer? Or, other materials that are currently used for rebuilding that might be stronger or better in some other way?

Also, have smaller brick chimney we are going to rebuild. Will ask about that one in another post.

[Charlie S.]

Was given an estimate for rebuilding the chimney today. Seemed fairly reasonable and most likely will go forward.

Found out a couple things.... One, that painting the chimney can trap moisture and that if I do plan to paint the chimney I should use some sort of breathable paint. He said latex tends to trap moisture. I didn't ask him, but would that mean an oil based paint. That seems like it would trap moisture more so? Is there a particular type of paint one should use?

The second thing I learned is that there are two sizes of blocks he can use. One is the larger one which I believe would cover a complete section of the chimney. Then, there are smaller ones that he would need to use two blocks. He said the larger ones he can use on the bottom and weigh about 100 lbs. The smaller one weigh about 50 lbs and he will use on top because it would weigh too much to carry on his shoulders.

What surprised me is that he is not using some sort of pulley system to carry these things up and down the staging. Maybe the pulley is too awkward or time consuming. Can't figure out why they wouldn't have a simple pulley system for this type of construction.

[cshenk]

"Charlie S." wrote

Ok, not bad to get a second estimate if you can.

Not sure but I bet he will know.

Could be the lay of your land makes this hard. Difficult to tell.

Actually, I am curious about this. I've never heard of a cinderblock chimney. Just brick ones.

[hallerb]

=BF=BDI didn't ask

ave a

have you considered a direct vent furnace and hot water tank? then abandon and remove the chimey completely if you want

[Charlie S.]

Had a few if them in the fall. This estimate is the best. All I want to do now is check his references and see a sample or two of his work.

Yeah, he's going to have some difficulty putting up the staging. There is only a 3 foot gap between the chimney and the neighbors fence.

>

[Charlie S.]

have you considered a direct vent furnace and hot water tank? then abandon and remove the chimey completely if you want

Never heard of them. Would it work with a force hot water system? Would I have to buy a new boiler?

[hallerb]

=EF=BF=BDWould I

yes they can be used for boilers. efficeny nearly always more the 95+

depending on the cost of the chimney, and the future savings on energy it might be worthwhile.

there are direct vent adapters for gas hot water tanks too.

how old is you heating system? i would get a free quote from at least

2 heating contractors.

new heating plant not only saves you operating expense (fuel) but adds resale value too

[ransley]

latex is much more permeable to water than oil

[Charlie S.]

yes they can be used for boilers. efficeny nearly always more the 95+

depending on the cost of the chimney, and the future savings on energy it might be worthwhile.

there are direct vent adapters for gas hot water tanks too.

how old is you heating system? i would get a free quote from at least

2 heating contractors.

new heating plant not only saves you operating expense (fuel) but adds resale value too

This may make more sense. I think the heating system is close to 40 years old too and could use updating. Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of?

[hallerb]

nope just call at least 3 contractors for estimates. ask friends for referals too

with a 40 year old boiler you might save 1/3rd of your heating bill:)

exhaust will likely be a PVC pipe.

elminates standing pilot and constant venting of warm room air out chimney.

[Charlie S.]

nope just call at least 3 contractors for estimates. ask friends for referals too

with a 40 year old boiler you might save 1/3rd of your heating bill:)

exhaust will likely be a PVC pipe.

elminates standing pilot and constant venting of warm room air out chimney.

Thanks for the furnace and esitmate recommendations.

I have a plumber friend who generally gives me a considerable discount. But, I will still get other estimates and ask about different brands. I

I see the Trane brand advertised a lot in the newspaper and promoted at Home shows. If I remember correctly, they are also rather pricey. Is this a brand to consider or should I just to HD or and see what they have?

[ransley]

You said boiler, boilers heat water furnaces heat air and HD is not the place for either but a bid and idea. 40 yr old whatever might be

70-80% efficent for a boiler and 50-80% for a furnace if it was maintained. You can go to 95%+ condensing units and save alot and as said, and forget about the chimney. What you have now, how it was maintained, and if it was ever sized right will determine what you will save. But 40 years old, I would think the life of whatever is a risk and paying to fix a chimney not necessary for a condensing unit. Now if you have a Steam Boiler you are stuck fixing the chimney

[hallerb]

=EF=BF=BDIs this

local home depot sells trane furnaces...... dont know what they sell for hot water heating. got a very pricey estimate from home depot. they use local contractor and add what must be a big comission:(

what about air conditioning? if your in a area thats hot in summer get some FREE estimates about converting to forced air, for heat and AC.... just for comparison.

sometimes this costs a fortune, other times its cheap. worth looking in to.

what fuel do you use? natural gas, propane, fuel oil?

no matter what energy prices keep going up, more efficent whatever will save you money in future:)

[Charlie S.]

You said boiler, boilers heat water furnaces heat air and HD is not the place for either but a bid and idea. 40 yr old whatever might be

70-80% efficent for a boiler and 50-80% for a furnace if it was maintained. You can go to 95%+ condensing units and save alot and as said, and forget about the chimney. What you have now, how it was maintained, and if it was ever sized right will determine what you will save. But 40 years old, I would think the life of whatever is a risk and paying to fix a chimney not necessary for a condensing unit. Now if you have a Steam Boiler you are stuck fixing the chimney

You are right. I meant boiler... grew up using both terms for boiler, not sure why. We have a forced hot water system, not steam.

From reading your post, I assume they have direct vent boilers too?

You mention condensing units. Not sure what you are referring to. Do they go together? Do they add to the effiency of the boiler?

This is an rather large old house. Converting to forced hot air with central air conditioning would be pretty expensive.

We use natural gas.