Chimney issue and questions

[javamaan]

Hi,

We are looking to buy a house built in 63. It has a Masonry fireplace. The Chimney inspector told us that it needs to be replaced as it is not stable and code violations.

The house has baseboard heating, the vent for the boiler goes through the same chimney via a separate flue(chimney has 2 flues).

if we were to use a Gas Insert in the masonry FP, do we need to rebuild the chimney?

Can't we just combine both the Gas insert and the baseboard boiler into one vent?

Java.

 

[DAKSY]

If you run the co-linear liners for a gas insert up an unstable chimney, you're taking a chance of knocking the chimney apart. If that happens, you won't be able to use the insert. If you run them up the same flue as the gas boiler, you are taking a chance of having boiler's exhaust drawn into the insert's intake. The insert won't work without fresh air, & how do you combine two vent caps?
Repair the chimney or get a direct vent insert that you can use with co-axial direct venting.

 

[javamaan]

Just to be clear. We want to take down the chimney. Repairing/rebuilding the chimney is very expensive. we have no interest.

Is the direct vent option much cheaper?

Does the old boiler have to have its exhaust through a chimney? or can it have its own vent.

The chimney is sandwiched between house and attached garage. So, we would need to patch garage roof.

Sorry, first time buying a home. Thank god we did all inspections.

 

[javamaan]

Is brick chimney a must or can we have a metal pipe vent?

if there are useful webpages to read, pls do link them. I am trying to learn as much as possible.