randynavarro Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I see this often on chimneys in our region. Click to Enlarge 55.79 KB From the outside, the brick and mortar is reasonbly OK and it's flashed OK through the roof. Click to Enlarge 75.37 KB The roof is new though, and I suspect the old roof had bad, leaky flashing. Also, I'm thinking the flue was uncapped - now it has a weather cap. The mortar crown is cracked and been sealed with a some sort of goop - mortar crowns are typically cracked also. Point being, I suspect the water typically comes through the flue itself (when it was uncovered), the mortar crown, and seeping through the mortar. Is this a problem or is just wear and tear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I see the B vent over on the other side, but let me make sure.... Is this a fireplace chimney or combustion gas vent chimney? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Fireplace. More specifically a pre-fab metal fireplace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Well then, it looks about "normal" to me, if there's such a thing as normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Fireplace. More specifically a pre-fab metal fireplace. Gas or wood burner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Looks just like the stuff you see when flue gas is condensing in the chimney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Efflorescence is associated with cementitious materials such as brick and mortar. Water moving from behind and out of cementitious materials results in the deposit of salts on the outer face of the wall as the water evaporates. As far as I know, it isn't an issue, other than to evidence intruding moisture. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted November 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Marc, Then would you view the chimney as defective? If so, what would be the solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 No defect is indicated. It's just a curiosity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 It needs a new crown. That much efflorescence means that the stack is taking on a lot of water. The goop that they've sealed that side crack with and the perimeter of the crown isn't going to stop water permeating that stack and it's eventually going to weaken the bond at those top courses of brick. I'd recommend they get a reputable mason to knock that wash cap off there and install a decent reinforced crown complete with expansion joint and built-in drip edge that will ensure water never drains into that stack again. When you said steel pre-fabricated, were you referring to the heavy steel inserts with the masonry stack built around them and the intake vents below and to the side with the three large heat tubes through the throat above the box or are you referring to a zero-clearance type like someone was asking about last week? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted November 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 It needs a new crown. When you said steel pre-fabricated, were you referring to the heavy steel inserts with the masonry stack built around them and the intake vents below and to the side with the three large heat tubes through the throat above the box or are you referring to a zero-clearance type like someone was asking about last week? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike It's an old Fireplace Xtrordinair. I believe it's the style you were describing first. I'm familiar with the heat tube system but can't think of the name of it right now. Click to Enlarge 63.62 KB Click to Enlarge 64.29 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Hi, Yeah, you have to watch for pinholes in the convection tubes above the firebox. I've found that shining a light into them from above and looking up into the throat from the fireplace will reveal them. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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