Chestnut Hill Chimney & Hearth

(603) 755-4835

Below are some photos that we have taken over the years at various customer's homes. They detail problems that we have seen. No information is available on this page that can identify any particular customer. We always keep customer information private. The intent of this page is give examples of what can go wrong, that we can fix.

Properly installed chimneys, liners and appliances don't fail, don't catch on fire, don't leak carbon monoxide into your home, don't harm your family or burn your house down. Doing something properly may cost more initially, but is well worth it in the long run.

Never use an umbrella as a rain cap, even as a temporary fix during a storm. Flue gases from the furnace can be trapped under here and forced back into the house, filling the house with carbon monoxide. We do provide emergency services.

This is an example of why we don't do poured liners. This pour was not lined up correctly and damaged the chimney. The entire chimney had to come down as there is no way to "fix" a poured liner.

This chimney is cracked vertically from a poured liner. Again there is no fix other than a complete teardown and replacement.

Burned hidden combustibles under a hearth. Pyrolization occurs over time, lowering the ignition point of wood. Many hearths have hidden combustibles.

Damage caused by incorrect clearances above a fireplace.

Combining heat and flammable chemicals is never a good idea. This is extremely dangerous.

Hidden combustibles in a stone wall behind a fireplace. The stone work (and this applies to brick as well) is not a sufficient heat barrier.

Incorrect floor protection, floor protection must extend to the front and sides of the unit, as determined by the manufacturer, or by Fire Codes.

Wooden boards directly underneath and supporting a fireplace. This will eventually catch fire.

Incorrect stainless steel liner installation. All of the black is soot. Unfortunately there a many companies that do "inexpensive" installs, and this is what happens.

In this case the installer crushed the liner to fit through a damper opening.

An improperly supported stainless steel liner system dropped. This is the view through the thimble.

For examples of cracked flues as seen through the chimney scan screen, click here.

For deteriorated top of chimney with stone cap, click here

To make an appointment or for answers to questions please call us at 603-755-4835

or email:

Mark (technical questions) chcs@metrocast.net

Laura (all other questions) chcsadmin@metrocast.net