Chimney

Original thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeImprovement/comments/kapqdv/am_i_crazy_or_does_the_new_flashing_around_my/

The company sent out a new guy this morning to discuss and "fix the issue". The worker agreed that the work the previous guy did was unacceptable, but he would fix it.

This is the result

IT STILL LOOKS BAD! WHY ME, GOD

I don't dispute that it looks better than it did before, how couldn't it? But I'm simply unhappy with how it looks. I got more hemming and hawing about the shape of the chimney, how it isn't flat on the bottom because of the underflashing from the roof, so it can't be nice flat and flush against the chimney. I feel like I don't have the expertise to dispute these points but the fact remains that it doesn't look professional. It doesn't look like any of the work on their website. The worker was going through his phone showing me pics of other work he's done, and honestly none of it looked like this either.

At this point I don't know what to do other than meet in person with the boss and see if he still vouches for this workmanship. If so I think he should feature these pics on his website to showcase it and let people know what they should expect.

Thank you for reading my stress induced rant. I fully expect a similar response to my first thread, which was a universal mix of amazement, amusement, and pity for me. I'm officially soliciting further advise about dealing with this.

I've been in a back and forth with a chimney company about how unhappy I am with the appearance of the flashing they installed. They have answered me that it basically has to be this way because of the angles of the roof in that spot. I keep being told that it has to be "up that high" but it's not that I'm objecting to, it's how haphazard and sloppy it looks. Maybe I'm wrong and it looks fine or is supposed to look like that, but honestly, if I knew it would have looked like that I would have gone with someone else. All the pictures of chimney flashing on their website look far neater, cleaner and more straight, of course.

Can I get some opinions of the apparently quality of this work?

https://imgur.com/gallery/aBelc83

next morning edit: Got a text from the boss: "Hi Jeff I stand behind his work because of all his work he's done for me in the past and I never have a problem but I wanna make you happy so I will send John over there to look at it and see if he can do something that will be satisfying to you the backside of the chimney it he did a great job the front if you don't like it we can do something different so I'll give you a call as soon as I can add to discuss this"

And the pic: https://imgur.com/aQc4erU

Gonna meet with this new guy around 9 or 10... stay tuned...

Update #2: They sent another worker over who instantly agreed that it was unacceptable and he couldn't explain what the other guy did. He's up on my roof now removing the flashing and grinding a straight line into the bricks for the new, hopefully singular and straight flashing. I will update you with pics later.

Tl;dr Who should I call to fix a leaky chimney, install a chimney cap, remove or repair the old cast iron damper, and inspect gas logs?

The cast iron damper just above the fireplace has rusted out along the edge, and some of the mortar has crumbled there as well. After a few hours of rain, water begins dripping down through.

Here's video of the damper when it leaks: http://imgur.com/a/H7ucPme

There's no cap on the chimney and I assume the damper needs replaced. We have gas logs that haven't been used for about a year and a half, so I'd like to make sure they are safe to use considering the leaking.

Last year the roof was replaced with new step flashing at the chimney. Also a mason made a new chimney crown. (In retrospect I should have had them put a cap on at that time as well.)

Should I call the mason or the roofers back, or look up more of a chimney/fireplace specialist? There seem to be a lot more masons and roofers in my area than chimney sweeps.

Thanks for any advice.

In France we've had warning that they may be power shortages in february 2021 due to a lot of our nuclear plants that are planned to go on maintenance (some were planned during 2020 and got postponed because of the pandemic).

If this really happens this means I'll be without heating and electricity. Main door to the building won't be locked. Maybe issues with tap water ?

So far I have:

• 4 small flat solar garden lights that store light on the windowsill during the day to release it at night

• candles and decent candle holders (meaning fairly high and heavy so they won't tip over, and light a larger area around them), lighters and matches

• bubble wrap to set on all my windows (for insulation)

• a few foil survival blankets, that we could set on the windows to keep the heat in. (and use as blankets obviously)

• an apparatus to warm the room with 2 pots overs a candle

• a tiny fondue set with a little stock of lighting gel to keep it going, migh also work with the small ikea candles in aluminium pans (to warm up cans, can't imagine cooking on this)

• a small flashlight

• lots of warm clothes, thermal socks, warm blankets. Considering moving the mattress under the table and build a tent of blankets if things get bad.

I don't have a solar panel. Not sure what to get. Ideally, so hubby could stay safely at home, we'd need something to get his laptop going, and charge the cell phones. I'm open to any advice on this matter. I should be portable and discreet.

Anything I'm missing?

Claus-trophobia.

Picture

I've got a small 1950's bungalow that used to have an oil furnace. The existing chimney passes through our only (small) bathroom. It only takes up about 2x2', but sadly that would make a big difference in the room! It would also free up some floor space in the basement where we plan on adding a 2nd bathroom.

What would be the best way to remove it? It is completely free standing and not in contact with any structure of the house.

Santa's Special Key (Green or Red)

This offer is for a very special key, for children who live in a home with no Chimney. Is is a key that can must be left outside on Christmas eve, and can only be used the the big guy himself.

I'll send the key, addressed from Santa, North Pole, with a personalized Christmas Card to your child/children.

It will read:

Dear NAME(s),

This key is very special you see, for kids that have no chimney.

Hang it just outside your door, then go to bed and worry no more.

On Christmas Eve with my magic dust, it will open your door with little fuss.

Then while the reindeer wait for me, I’ll place your gifts beneath your tree.

When I’m done I’ll leave it here, to use again this time next year.

Love,

Santa

Comment if you would like one! I will pull Names and and Address from registrations unless otherwise instructed. I will get them out ASAP just in case they get damaged in transit (had 2 or 3 damaged last year). Special thank you to /u/WingardiumLeviosaHP for donating these keys last year, and for the awesome idea.

- From all of us on the /r/santaslittlehelpers mod team :)