When inspecting older homes, that do have brick chimneys, they are often in need of repairs----like the one pictured at the left in one of the old Seattle neighborhoods near Volunteer Park. The costs of these repairs often run into the many thousands of dollars. Because bricks are heavy, these chimneys can be a serious safety hazard as well. No one wants to have a brick bounce off their head when they visit you. Sometimes converting these old brick chimneys to direct-vent gas burning fireplaces can be an economical thing to do, instead of taking on these costly repairs. While gas fireplaces are not cheap-----if you have to rebuild the top six feet of your chimney----that is not cheap either. It is not possible to construct a wood burning fireplace that will be as efficient as an air-tight, direct-vent, gas fireplace. These gas fireplaces will provide heat and romance. When you are lying on your bear skin rug (a sleeping bag will do) in front of the fireplace with your sweetie, neither one of your back-sides will be cold like they used to get with that old fashioned wood burning fireplace. Old fireplace chimneys sucked tremendous amounts of heat out of the home. You felt warm as long as you faced the fire----but surfaces away from the fire(like your naked butt), or other rooms, became colder----even drafty. Wood burning chimneys required that the top of the chimney be specific distances away from roof surfaces to protect the roof from fire, therefore, these chimneys could end up being VERY tall. Typically, inspectors will look for the top of the chimney to be 24” higher than any part of the roof 10’ away---horizontally. Many newer homes avoid the entire masonry structure and vent directly out though the side wall of the house----saving way more money than what it would have cost to build a masonry chimney. Sometimes it is cheaper to take down the whole chimney than it is to rebuild one that is in poor condition (and doesn't everyone need patio bricks?). As I stated already, gas vents do not have to stick though the roof very far. Most roofs (6/12 pitch and lower) only require that the vent stick through the roof 12”----barely enough to become “unsightly.” This is true whether the vent is for a gas water heater, or a gas furnace or a gas fireplace. So go ahead and roll out that bear skin rug----or sleeping bag! Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
Perhaps one of the single most “expendable” components of a home today is the solid masonry chimney. In new construction they are almost entirely absent----even on very high-end homes. They have gi
ven way, to any number of cheaper versions of chimneys----often without any masonry at all.
Gas burning appliances do not have to follow the same rules. Therefore the top part of the brick chimney----which is usually in the worst condition and the most poorly maintained----can be removed down to the roof line----or even below the roof line if the chimney runs up through the center of the house. The old chimney flue is lined with a metal vent pipe and a metal cap is then installed to cover the top. The new metal vent for the gas fireplace (or other gas appliance) then runs through this cap. 
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This is really very informative and well-written. I was thinking that home inspectors must really get a lot of hits on their AR blogs as there seem to be less inspectors online than real estate agents.
Well I know why my wood stove was roaring and my butt was so cold, my husband had a tarp sheilding us from winter in Winthrop! It was a cases of the builder was a bit slow to get the new addition in! Luckily it was a long time ago when I was younger.
Great "mouse overs!" that is a good idea. : )
Back to chimney issues-they have almost solely made the deal wobbly right up till closing. Very nice detailed post. Thanks Charles!
Melissa, better than the "hits" are the calls from buyers :)
Mary, that would indeed make it "drafty" :)
Barbara, thanks----I see that with these old chimneys and the deal as well.
your naked butt.... crikey, now I have to go home and poke out my mind's eye.
Charlie - Are you going into the gas fire place biz?
(Had a cancellation yet?)
Alan, I don't have to post that "tool belt picture" again do I?
Glenn----nope----not in the fireplace business. No cancellations----but I have had to say "no" a couple of more times :)
Charles,
As a home inspector myself, I have seen these as well as many others.
I was a mason for 25 years and have built a billion of these babies. A masonry built fireplace with no doors, or heat recovery box can actually be as much as minus 60 percent efficient!
As you state, a masonry fireplace can throw heat, but they would have to be built right in the first place. Most were never given more thought than to "let's have a fireplace in this room."
There are some high tech materials and designs that can put out more heat than just a "fireplace."
I heated my last house with a masonry fireplace and a wood stove in the basement as the main source of heat. The electric furnace only ran when we went away for several days at a time. Up here in Ontario, that means they have to be designed by someone who know what they are doing. I built the house and the fireplaces myself. (I had a second fireplace in the bedroom, but only used it a few times as it would over heat the house.)
In Canada, any solid fuel burning appliance now falls under WETT guidelines. (Wood Emmisions Technical Testing) It still does not make a fireplace more efficient, but many wood stoves can throw an amazing amount of heat for the fuel consumed. We have a variety of other fuels such as corn or wood pellets as well. (If the corn stove burns out you can always throw out the heater, take the corn and make a mash that can heat yourself personally :) )
Still today, the most efficient and safe way to heat a house is with gas.
Tip: Don't use those bricks for the patio. As they are in constant contact with moisture they will deteriorate and become a safety hazard. These brick were meant to be in the air so they can dry after the rain/snow stops.
David----thanks for the great comment. Perhaps a back yard barbeque then? :)
I am making a novena that there are no naked butts in front of my fireplace when I get home from work today.
I have gas Charles and the wife does not like it - er in the fireplace that is, well I guess not the other gas either. I miss the smell of the burning wood myself.
Liz---thanks for the word "novena"----had to look it up :)
Gene, same problem in this household as well Gene----regarding the gas that is
Charles,
I see the same issues with brick chimneys. My home chimney needs the work also so I know how it goes.
Don
Charles, we had a wood burning FP in our last home...it was just so messy. In our new home we have two FP's and love it...as it is so much cleaner.
no! no!! not the tool belt picture... i'll be good... I promise.
That's a very informative post, Charles! I have an older home (1963 vintage). I also have a masonry fireplace. Fortunately, I had it inspected and swept last year, and it was in great shape. I'm glad for that, because I enjoy it so!
Charles, we have chimney issues. With all good intents, many of our towns and villages created historic districts to preserve the character and integrity of the down towns. Any improvements or changes to the exterior of the home must meet historic district guidelines: e.g. a chimney stack 10 feet above the ridge line must remain as is. These houses have chimneys of many sizes and in various stages of disrepair. The smaller of these houses are only worth $200,000 +/- and can be very difficult to sell, often over FHA appraisal issues on the chimney. Sellers often don't have the $5,000+ for proper repairs to simultaneously meet FHA appraisal and historic district guidelines. What do you suggest?
Charles, we have many homes in older communities of San Diego and your post is very informative and well-written. Thank you! ~ Susan
We have a lot of homes around here that are circa 1850 or so, and most of them are masonry. Of course, at that time the homes were heated by the fireplaces and stoves. Here is a fireplace that I looked at a couple of months ago. Most of it is on the ground 2 stories down.
Love the way you worked in recylcing those old bricks!! Your post reminded me of a client who did not purchase home because the location of the chimney was front, and center of the exterior of the property. It didn't look bad to me, I'm used to the look. For him, it would have been a constant eyesore. Too bad they didn't design that home (which was built in the '80's) with a vent!
Charlie,
I get a kick out if it, in class, when the beginning/novice inspection students think that a gas B-vent is the same thing as a chimney.
Don, I hear you----mine needs a little TLC as well
Rebecca, having grown up with wood burning----I do not miss it much :)
Alan, now that is better
Myrl, yes---very important to keep them maintained
Leslie, it is interesting how we often put rules in place that create unforeseen other issues. While I am "interested" in the past----sometimes it is better to let it go.
Jack, ouch
These metal vents allow for much more design flexibility for sure.
"Anonymous"----even some not so "beginning."
Charles,
I always enjoy your posts... and always have something to think about after reading them. Hopefully anyone buying a home gets it inspected and hopefully the inspector thoroughly inspects the fireplace if there is one.
Charles you had me at the title! Drew me right in - great information and fun stuff too!
Judi, thanks---the whole structure of these things need to be looked at carefully. I have had onces that from the roof I could push over if I pushed hard enough :)
Anna, thanks----I like having fun with the titles----as much as the post itself sometimes.
Charlie,
I realized I am anonymous above. Posted from a friend's computer and not signed in. There is lots to remember in the field and the inspectors who strive to do the superior job usually try to learn the proper terms. Obviously, I was talking about BTC students. I bet those who finish Rick's class know the difference.
Mr Charles,
The boss pointed out to me your scholarly post. I believe, of those who teach parttime at BTC, that I am the only one who has ever actually crawled, top to bottom, through both a metal chimney and a B-vent.
Nutsy
Great post, Charles. Mythbusters even did an episode on how wood fireplaces cool the entire house.
Nutsy=brush
Reuben, it figures they would tackle the topic.
Thanks for the chimney education Charles...I never knew some of this stuff...Enjoy the day
I confess to having never rolled out a bear skin rug or a sleeping bag on a 6/12 roof beside a 12" high gas furnace chimney, but if you say so, I guess I will next chance I get!
Good post too... (;0)
But Charles, the tall brick chimney is so lovely. What about looks. You're an artist, remember!! : )
Ernie, you are welcome
Jay, man you are one depraved deprived dude----you gotta try it and report back to us.
Barbara, asthetics sometimes has to be forced into line with practicality I guess :)
Well, you discussed rolling out the bear skin rug or sleeping bag right after the gas vent on the roof comments. I was just wondering if you had any experience. Or perhaps having done a really, really long roof inspection...
Mr Charles,
The whole premise is so silly to me, a certifried chimney pro. I think you would have to look long and hard, and go pretty low, to find a working inspector who does not know that a chimney is not a B-vent and backwards. Please, you are stretching my imagination.
Nutsy
Jay, it that case I will go with the "experience" choice :)
Nutcase, if you go down my chimney I will smoke you out.
Mr Charles,
It is my view that you are exaggerating. Can you actually give me an example of an experienced home inspector who cannot differentiate between a B-vent and a chimney. I certifiably expect not.
Nutsy
This is why I trust you inspector to find the things that I am not an expert in.
Mr Charles,
You have yet to answer the question above. I am about to find you in contemptuous of courts. I wants names.
Nutsy
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock....waiting, waiting
Nutsy
Nutcase, I have no idea what you are talking about
Elite, sometimes we get it right :)
Nutcase, I have no idea what you are talking about
Nutcase, you still have a wind-up watch?
I read this on Diane's reblog of it. Just wanted you to know that I thought it was great. It taught me something and made me laugh! A great combo in my book! :O) Blessings
Barbara, thanks
Joni, and laughing is the most important part :)