Is it possible to like an unlined chimney in an old 1800s Boston brownstone? Any recommendations of trustworthy companies or people who could do this?

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Efficient_Dog59 t1_j0j7q9s wrote on December 17, 2022 at 1:21 AM

Yes most things can be done. Not cheap. Try Master Chimney Sweep. Today many solutions include a stainless steel liner. You can spend $10k quick. Be ready.

dyqik t1_j0ja5q6 wrote on December 17, 2022 at 1:41 AM

To add to this: A stainless liner shouldn't be that much if the chimney is structurally sound. If it needs brick work though...

Efficient_Dog59 t1_j0jacz8 wrote on December 17, 2022 at 1:43 AM

Alas they always need work. Code has changed in this area a lot over the years. And now costs a ton it seems.

deadliftothersup t1_j0lcc0y wrote on December 17, 2022 at 3:13 PM

Yeah, mine looks fine on the outside and the inside has shifted a but and will need to be taken down and built up at the top as a result. Not nearly 10k, but probably 4.5k when it's all said and done.

estrangelove t1_j0jbebn wrote on December 17, 2022 at 1:51 AM

I too hope to one day be able to afford a multi-million dollar home

MeekLocator t1_j0juv0b wrote on December 17, 2022 at 4:43 AM

Boston chimney did ours. It's used for boiler exhaust not for wood burning(that would be a lot more complicated and$$) It was under 5k, it was 2020.

lifeisakoan t1_j0jzo40 wrote on December 17, 2022 at 5:33 AM

Ya, our building had it done 20 years ago liner and rebuild of the top of the building. Seems to be it was under 2K then.

[deleted] t1_j0kuayo wrote on December 17, 2022 at 12:21 PM

https://www.downeastchimneysweep.com

Those guys are awesome. Father and son business. Honest people and did our lining. I think it was $2,200 ish

[deleted] t1_j0kuctp wrote on December 17, 2022 at 12:22 PM

[deleted]

jspiel t1_j0l9civ wrote on December 17, 2022 at 2:49 PM

I dealt with this in my place about 2 years ago in the south end. I believe it's required if you're making any change to furnace, etc. that vent through it (the inspector who signs off on the permit will check to make sure the chimney is lined... at least they did in my case).

I got quotes that ranged from about $4,000 to $25,000 – and in the end, we ended up spending on the high end of that, cause there was other chimney rebuild that needed to be done. It also took two companies several tries (over several weeks) to install cause the chimney had all sorts of twists and turns that they couldn't get around, so they had to open walls on each floor to help guide the liner around old (no longer used/accessible) fireplaces... so it was a bit of a nightmare. Can't get any worse, so hope yours goes more smoothly!

If I were to do it all over again, I'd ditch all the gas appliances, switch to electric hot water and a heat pump, and just cap the chimney. The world is heading that way, and it would have been far cheaper than doing the work on gas appliances and dealing with chimney lining in an old house that's naturally full of surprises once you open walls, etc.