Author Topic: Alternatives to chimney repair/replacement on rental house?  (Read 713 times)

Zoot Allures

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Alternatives to chimney repair/replacement on rental house?
« on: April 16, 2019, 11:38:29 AM »
It's time for a new roof on my rental property, which means it's also time to do something about the deteriorating chimney. It's not being used for anything--there's a wood fireplace but the tenants don't use it. The house was built in 1946 and the chimney appears to have been skim-coated to cover up failing masonry, and the estimates I've gotten call for the chimney to be demolished down to the roofline and rebuilt. That's pretty expensive, and seems like a waste at a time when wood fires are (rightly, IMO) falling out of favor. I'm wondering if I should just have the chimney removed and install a gas insert in the fireplace. There might still be a need for venting but a full chimney wouldn't be required. Thoughts? Other ideas? I know gas inserts themselves can be quite expensive.
« Last Edit: April 16, 2019, 11:47:55 AM by Zoot Allures »

Jon Bon

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Re: Alternatives to chimney repair/replacement on rental house?
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2019, 12:05:48 PM »
What type of rental?

Most of my houses have multiple chimneys and they are a plague! They constantly leak and need maintenance. If your furnace and hot water tank go out the side of your house 100% get rid of it. it is not that expensive or hard to take it below the roofline and button back up the roof.

I would pass on the gas fireplace as well, I dont think you are going to get much more for it and it would be a substantial up front cost.


Zoot Allures

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Re: Alternatives to chimney repair/replacement on rental house?
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2019, 12:20:21 PM »
What type of rental?

Most of my houses have multiple chimneys and they are a plague! They constantly leak and need maintenance. If your furnace and hot water tank go out the side of your house 100% get rid of it. it is not that expensive or hard to take it below the roofline and button back up the roof.

I would pass on the gas fireplace as well, I dont think you are going to get much more for it and it would be a substantial up front cost.

It's a SFH. Thanks for the input. Yeah, I wouldn't mind just getting rid of it and decommissioning the fireplace. I think there are even official plaques that can be installed letting users know the fireplace is not functional.