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Question: Buying a new home - chimney question.?

(Posted by: Becca S on 2010-02-08 13:22:48)

Me and my husband have put an offer on a house that is about 105 years old. There are a few problems with it, and I made other questions about a few problems, but this question is about the chimney. There is a chimney in one of the upper bedrooms that appears to be sealed off and no longer in use. That is the ONLY place in the whole house that shows signs of leaking. The inspecter said the roof was fine for at least another 5 years and looked pretty good, the leaking was due to the chimney. He told me what needed to be done, but with all the other repairs I forgot what he said by the time I got home! He is giving me a typed report with it listed though in the next few days and he told me it would be on it. I wanted a heads up though on the problem. He told me it was a little crooked and needed straightend and something else.. maybe he said reflashed? Something about cleaning it out... Could anyone know the problem? Also what is reflashing? I tried to look it up but all I kept getting was pricing.. not information on what it was. He told me this needed to be done right away, but I really have no clue what the problem is. Is this something I should ask the seller to pay since I'm clueless? Any answers would help, thanks. Yes, thank you! That rings a bell, he said it needed reflashing. Thank you for describing to me what it means, I will be sure to ask for it to be fixed when I fill out the repair form... If they refuse to fix it (which I doubt, but who knows).. I would have to call a professional, what does something like that cost?

Posted by: seamstress on 2010-02-08, 13:31:05

Oh yes, ask the seller to make a repair allowance. You are talking about flashing. Flashing is either sheet metal or copper that is applied to an area where two edges meet. In your case, it is the chimney and the roof line. Flashing allows water to shed away from the chimney. Your chimney probably needs to be re flashed. If the chimney is leaning, that would be a reason for a gap between the chimney and the flashing, which allows water to leak between the two. Get a price quote from a chimney professional. Not all roofers have vast chimney knowledge like a pro would.

Posted by: D.Lloyd on 2010-02-08, 13:43:57

The Flashing is usually made of ALUMINIUM and comes in a roll . It is applied under the shingles near and around the Chimney . I probably needs replacing or repaired ? The chimney needs to be repaired also and you can put a Cap on it also to prevent leaks . Yes you should ask the Owners to take care of it .

Posted by: saaanen on 2010-02-09, 04:14:31

You have good answers. I, personally, would call a chimney sweep and have them check it. For all you know, the chimney is falling down behind the wall. This would not be a flashing problem.