[Bart42]

Had my annual inspection and cleaning of my chimney this past weekend and the chimney sweep showed me on vidoe a crack in one of the tiles in the chimney flue. To fix it, he said I have two options

1. Fire shield (less expensive)
2. Line the chimeny flue with a stainless steel liner.

Both are expensive, in the upper two thousand to 3ish plus. My questions; Should I submit this as a claim to my insurance?

I had my roof replace this year, as a result of a major windstorm, as about everyone did in this area. One minor other windstorm damage to some siding 4 or 5 years ago.

Thanks,

Bart

 

[Ark68SS]

Two claims in one year, I'd just about guarantee that they'll drop your coverage when it's up for renewal. That is typical of most homeowner's insurance companies, according to a friend who is in the business.
BillL

 

[Guest]

I could probably fix it using a steel liner as an inside form and then pouring some EXPRESS Refractory Castable down it as a filler!

EXPRESS Refractory Castable is a vibrationless, self-leveling high temperature concrete mix that works great. I want to say there's at least 3 temperature grades. It's been too long since I installed the stuff??

Only deal is that you'd probably need to 3 gallon mop bucket it up into place to pour it.

AP Green Refractories, Mexico, MO made it years ago. I don't know if RHI is still selling it or not?? Stuff install's like a half melted milk shake at it's CORRECT water amount!!

pdq67

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[BillK]

Bart,
I dont understand why you you would even consider this to be something that insurance would pay for ??? No different than a light fixture breaking or a drywall nail pop or crack is it ? Insurance company would probably laugh.

 

[Bart42]

Bart,
I dont understand why you you would even consider this to be something that insurance would pay for ??? No different than a light fixture breaking or a drywall nail pop or crack is it ? Insurance company would probably laugh.

Normally I would not, but the chimney sweep company said that insurance sometimes cover it. It did not seem like a covered expense, but apparently some companies do cover it and you don't know until you ask.

 

[jpete]

The problem with going through insurance is they sometimes drop you after you file a claim or if you have a real expense down the road, they won't pay because of the previous claim. I don't see how the crack is an issue unless flue gasses are getting into the house.

If they are the typical terra cotta sleeves, there is a seam at every level. I think they are dry set in there so technically, there's a "crack" at each piece.

I don some more checking into the problem to find out if it's a problem first and not some chimney company trying to soak you.

 

[forcd ind]

every time i have had mine cleaned, they try up selling-maybe some is needed, maybe not
i had some bricks with loose mortar behind them(i use an insert now, so no fire near the back bricks) anyway, i told the guy to fix it-he charged me $75 to stuff some stuff out of a tube in there, didnt even stick-i could have done a better job-main thing is to keep it clean, esp the area where it comes out off the roof -i guess a tough call

 

[69-CHVL]

Homeowners Ins. covers accidents. Question is, is the crack the result of an accident, or wear/tear? Sounds to me like its just normal wear/tear/deterioration, but the Ins co. will ultimatley make the call. If you put the claim through, you will have the equiv of 3 car accidents on your file...could really jump your rates, and no other Ins co will touch you. Not around here anyway.

 

[O'Man]

Normally I would not, but the chimney sweep company said that insurance sometimes cover it. It did not seem like a covered expense, but apparently some companies do cover it and you don't know until you ask.

Did you even consider that the Chimney Sweep guy wants to make it as easy as possible for you to pay him? If you think "What the hell insurance pays" you are more likely to tell him to go ahead. If the insurance does pay the insurance whores will get you later! Be sure of that. Last but not least as BillK says "Why would you think that................"!! This sounds like normal wear and tear to me.

Make no mistake I have NO use for any insurance company but we the consumer of insurance services gotta think a little before we just send the insurance guys the bill. They are interested in ONE THING ......PROFIT and that means that if you cost them money they are gonna drop you. Then if you need em bad, after a hurricane rips the roof off, you could be screwed. Best to just eat the cost of this yourself..honestly I think it should be on your dime anyway.

 

[no1dc]

I'll share my experience with flue fires and cracked tile. I've had two flue fires that resulted in cracked tiles. The first fix was to replace the cracked clay liners, just the way it was built. After the second fire it was discovered the reason for the creosote build up(reason for flue fire) was improper construction initially. After the second fire the insurance company said I either lined it with triple wall stainless steel or they would drop me. I had it lined 6 1/2 years ago and all has been well. My flue was cleaned each year and we still had the fires. My suggestion would be to line it.

I had fires that resulted in cracked tile, therefore covered by insurance. In the absence of any fire I would think yours is normal wear and tear issue.

Concerning whether you should submit a claim let me share my experience with you. I had a wind/hail claim last year. Insurance coompany paid for the new roof(less my 1% deductible) and canceled me upon renewal. Said too many claims in the last five years(they actually went back to 1994). Mind you my last claim was 6 1/2 years ago.

If your not concerend about being canceled by all means contact your insurance company otherwise don't even say a word to your agent, get it fixed and move on. If you do decide to file a claim be prepared for the non-renewal and 30%+ increase in your rates if you find a company that will insure you. JMHO Pete

 

[justkyle]

How big is the crack?
How important or dangerous is it in reality?
Is this something that they found and are making a bigger deal out of that what is necessary?

I wonder how many old chimney's are out there that have cracks in them that it's not a problem?

It sounds to me like the guy is trying to make some extra money.

 

[no1dc]

How big is the crack?
How important or dangerous is it in reality?
Is this something that they found and are making a bigger deal out of that what is necessary?

I wonder how many old chimney's are out there that have cracks in them that it's not a problem?

It sounds to me like the guy is trying to make some extra money.

That could be the case BUT God forbid his house should catch fire and he had prior knowledge of the crack and didn't repair it. Especially if the fire was fireplace related. In an instance like that the insurance company would say "so sorry your SOL". Now that the crack has been discovered it has to be fixed, or take your chances. Again JMO Pete

 

[Bart42]

I'll share my experience with flue fires and cracked tile. I've had two flue fires that resulted in cracked tiles. The first fix was to replace the cracked clay liners, just the way it was built. After the second fire it was discovered the reason for the creosote build up(reason for flue fire) was improper construction initially. After the second fire the insurance company said I either lined it with triple wall stainless steel or they would drop me. I had it lined 6 1/2 years ago and all has been well. My flue was cleaned each year and we still had the fires. My suggestion would be to line it.

I had fires that resulted in cracked tile, therefore covered by insurance. In the absence of any fire I would think yours is normal wear and tear issue.

Concerning whether you should submit a claim let me share my experience with you. I had a wind/hail claim last year. Insurance coompany paid for the new roof(less my 1% deductible) and canceled me upon renewal. Said too many claims in the last five years(they actually went back to 1994). Mind you my last claim was 6 1/2 years ago.

If your not concerend about being canceled by all means contact your insurance company otherwise don't even say a word to your agent, get it fixed and move on. If you do decide to file a claim be prepared for the non-renewal and 30%+ increase in your rates if you find a company that will insure you. JMHO Pete

Thanks, Pete.

Not much experience with insurance companies and filing claims, so that is why I asked the question. Based on my roof claim and the question on whether this was a covered expense, I plan on just getting it fixed. Don't know when, but I will not use the chimney until it is fixed.

Any recommendations on flue liners?

 

[73guna]

I think the issue with the cracks is possible carbon monoxide leaking into the house.

When we were looking into buying this house, cracks were found in the chimney liner by our home inspector. Before we purchased the owners agreed to have it repaired with the fireshield as it is a saftey issue.

I read somewhere that most chimney fires are caused by creosote build up from improperly seasoned wood or the wrong type of wood.

I also recall reading something about most fireplaces in older house were designed wrong.

I would definetly do some research on this, plenty of info out there on chimneys.

 

[no1dc]

Bart,
As for a recommendation of a liner I wouldn't know where to begin. Your best bet is to look online or in your local yellow pages for someone who does chimney repairs. Then get several estimates and references. Good luck Pete

 

[jpete]

Any recommendations on flue liners?

I have a dual fuel house. Oil and coal.

One of the other sites I frequent is a coal burners site. www.nepacrossroads.com

Lots of info on chimneys and liners there.

 

[Guest]

"If they are the typical terra cotta sleeves"

They are SUPPOSED to be low to medium duty Fireclay sleeves!

AP Green made them out at Pueblo, CO for years and years!

You can buy fireplace fireclay and sodium silicate gun caulk tubes that will do fine IF you can reach the crack!

Otherwise, read me again!

pdq67

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