Smoke shelf?

[ng_reader]

Trying to find a good diagram of this

Was about as good as I could, but does not explain my problem.

Recently getting my chimney swept, I was given an estimate of 1k to replace my disintegrated Smoke Shelf.

The guy was cool, said that is why I sometimes may get smoke in the room (I do --- but only initially and it goes away in less than 20 seconds), and unless I was selling the house, no big deal.

But, on his estimate, he noted that the chimney could be brought "into" code with said Smoke Shelf.

Getting back to this Smoke Shelf, it is above the damper, and if it looks like the diagram shown, how on Earth could it be disintegrated?

Color me curious...

[barry]

Sure sounds like a scam. Maybe he's the perp, even? Second opinion time.

A little spray of strong acid in the area sure would soften any mortar.

The bit about "code" is summat of a red-flag.

J

[MarkL]

Smoke shelves are a holdover from a time when people imagined it was something that made sense. There have been tests showing there are nowhere near as efficient as a straight hole up the chimney for creating a proper draft. There was a good article in the Journal of Light Home Construction a few years ago. So I wouldn't spend a dime on it, unless it's to restore the ledge that is supporting the damper assembly.

[ng_reader]

hmmm maybe, not a perp, I don't think. Just someone trying to earn a paycheck.

[ng_reader]

Well, the damper assembly does actuate a little funny. But it works, and he made no mention of that. So, I will leave it alone, for now. I will google that article, in case it is still on-line.

[German Jerry]

20 seconds of smoke at the start is quite normal. I wouldnt worry about that. Since the damper is actuating funny you would be looking at a chimney balloon ($50) or a replacement damper ($500 or so installed) to fix that issue. If the condition of the inside of the smoke shelf of the chimney is in question, then the whole interior of the chimney would be in question, so you would really be looking more at a stainless chimney liner. But that would be up to a sweep that has a camera to inspect it well. Or you could just plug it and forget it, since traditional fireplaces are such a loosing heat energy option anyway. Using them makes your energy bill go up - not down.

[mm]

What about when the furnace isn't working? I have a fireplace in the basement, with the clean half of my workshop and a bed Is it able to at least heat the room it is in?

[Heathcliff]

You can try and inspect it yourself with a trouble light. I would take the sweep's advice with a big grain of salt. I had sweep service out once where the guy then explained that my chimney liner was cracked and I needed a stainless steel chimney liner for some ungodly amount of money. I went up on the roof and looked where he said the problem was, did not see any problem, used the fireplace for several more years, had another sweep service later and they said it was fine. I had long since concluded that it was like the guys at the oil change place who tell you your car needs this or that other service for a few dollars more.

If you don't feel you can evaluate it yourself get a second opinion and try to find someone who comes with a personal recommendation from someone you trust. -- H

[ng_reader]

Your answer is prolly going to lie in common sense.

[ng_reader]

You may be right.

I haven't lived here all my life, but some people have. I threw a name at the estimator guy and he had no idea who I was talking about. This is a local guy that delivers firewood and such.

Also, the bill I received was on their letterhead with all these different phone numbers and addresses; but pointing back to my home town --- which is supposed to be their *office*.

So, while he may be local, they want to appear local to about 15 other areas, and that --- seems a bit tawdry.

But, on the flip-side (oh, how I hate hearing that in conversation), how many freaking chimney sweeps do I expect here in the suburban Philadelphia area? 3???? 2????

They probably are good at doing chimney repair, but also good at skying estimates and scaring consumers.