Frustrated with chimney cleaning companies-VC Vigilant

[Blackcat]

For the past 5 years we've lived in this house and have used our wood stove. Every year we have gotten it cleaned by a local fireman who does this on the side and did the inspection for the sale of the house in 08. Last year we decided to go with a different company, who were recommended by many, because we were looking at some masonry issues(mostly surface coating-nothing major) also and they dealt with that. The owner pulls back the heat shield and says that our hook up to the flue is wrong. Our stove vents through the old fireplace. He removed the old pipes and used a flex pipe with collars to attach it to the liner in the old fireplace opening. $360 to do this. Didn't get a good feeling from him when he was doing the work and. This year we decided to go with a different company, again, and once again, they find an issue. Apparently when the tech went on the roof and started to clean it, soot and debris was coming out from under the heat shield- the connection had come off. There is visible soot around the chimney also. The new guys said it is completely wrong. They sent us a proposal for a Level 3 inspection to remove the old liner and see what's going on-which won't be for a few weeks. We were all ready to start removing the existing hearth if needed and redoing that wall since the tech said he may have to go through the wall. Fine by us. Now we find out that once they do the inspection, they may not be available to do the work for months. I have a call in to another company that the town guy suggested that has a good rep. I am having anxiety that we will lose power and have no heat-we are completely electric heat. I don't know who to believe anymore. This is mostly a vent and realize no one can really give me any suggestions here. But thanks for letting me get this out The stove is in great shape and does a fine job of heating most of the house when needed. A huge shout out to whoever I got the manual for our stove from on the board, maybe last year or the y ear before. It is invaluable!

 

[pen]

Don't blame you for wanting to get that off your chest.

Fingers crossed you can get things up to snuff.

Keep learning as much as you can and be there for the estimates/ upgrade / fixes so that you can be an informed observer and client.

Some pics of what you are working with and more detail about the problems in a new thread, and folks here might be able to give you a hand / advice as well.

 

[Buckys Teeth]

The first chimney inspector I was recommended by my realtor, for the home I purchased in September, showed up to the job without a ladder. I asked him how he was going to inspect the crown for cracks / bad bricks.

He said "from the ground". Oh boy...I've found that you definitely have to invite a few contractors over to see which ones actually are with it..and the most expensive one, isn't necessarily the best. Lots of learning for me, a young homeowner.

 

[NHcpa]

The first chimney inspector I was recommended by my realtor, for the home I purchased in September, showed up to the job without a ladder. I asked him how he was going to inspect the crown for cracks / bad bricks.

He said "from the ground". Oh boy...I've found that you definitely have to invite a few contractors over to see which ones actually are with it..and the most expensive one, isn't necessarily the best. Lots of learning for me, a young homeowner.

I think I dealt with his brother here in NH years ago.... Basically burned a piece of paper in the stove and told my wife I had great draft...never went on the roof and charged me $275. He later called and asked when I would be home to pick up his check and told him if he stepped foot on my property, I would call the cops. Never saw him again. He was a referral and I can tell you, never saw them again!

 

[dlj]

Blackcat - You posted in a separate thread the pictures of your set-up correct? There's nothing in those photos to tell me you need to change the liner. It just looks like the flex pipe came off the connection to the liner. I didn't see damage, although honestly your photo isn't overly clear. Looks to me like you can just re-connect that flex pipe and you should be good to go...

fwiw

dj

 

[Blackcat]

They weren't the best pictures, I know. They are coming this Thursday to assess this. My husband had a town inspector come and he said our set up was "borderline." Really hate to think that we are going to get screwed. I have a call into another company but they can't make it until early December. And of course now it is really going to start getting cold.

 

[Blackcat]

Chimney guys could not get the liner out- thanks to whoever cemented the crap out of it. So at this point we will probably end up taking down the brick chimney and brick hearth( good- I need something to smash and get frustrations out!) and go straight through our wall with a new pipe going up the side of the house. Once we get numbers from the chimney guys, we may be looking at a new stove.
So be on the lookout for a Vermont Casting Vigilant- great shape- posted on Craig's List. How much should we be asking for it? Cha Ching cha Ching cha Ching.....