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Home inspectors do not have the equipment to inspect the throat and flue of most chimneys. However, thanks to pocket digital cameras, a missing damper and smoke shelf, this badly damaged fireplace lent itself to get a good logs-eye view of what the inside of a chimney really looks like.

The lack of rain caps allowed water into the chimney and intense temperatures of wood burning fires caused the water to expand and pop out the mortar between the fire brick. Through time and neglect the original damper and smoke shelf was eventually destroyed and burned away leaving the bottom of the flue liner exposed. Needless to say, this fireplace is unsafe in its current condition and will need to be repaired before using.

Michael

Copyright © 2008 by Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

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