Hi I live in Chicago and I had 3 different chimney experts give me a quote for fireplace repairs that I was told needed done but the guy who cleaned my chimney. Built in 1946.
Once guy told me that I needed to seal a couple of minor cracks in the box for $250.
Another company told me I needed to tuckpoint the entire fireplace box with high temp ceramic coating because there is a seam opening going across the opening of the box and has openings in the front corner of the box. Is this a fire hazard? There is a seam but its about 1/2 in deep and it just collects ash. They also said they needed to seal openings around the lower flu tiles and seal openings inside smoke chamber area and smoke shelf with fireproof insulation and smoke tight. All for $2,550.
Another company said they needed to drop a stainless steel liner down the chimney to replace the aluminum one for $7500.
I'm not exactly sure who to trust since I know very little about fireplaces and chimneys. Any advice on if the prices seem reasonable given the amount of work and also should I get a 4th opinion? It's like when I take my car in for an oil change and they tell me I need to overhaul the engine.
Thank you
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Once guy told me that I needed to seal a couple of minor cracks in the box for $250.
Another company told me I needed to tuckpoint the entire fireplace box with high temp ceramic coating because there is a seam opening going across the opening of the box and has openings in the front corner of the box. Is this a fire hazard? There is a seam but its about 1/2 in deep and it just collects ash. They also said they needed to seal openings around the lower flu tiles and seal openings inside smoke chamber area and smoke shelf with fireproof insulation and smoke tight. All for $2,550.
Another company said they needed to drop a stainless steel liner down the chimney to replace the aluminum one for $7500.
I'm not exactly sure who to trust since I know very little about fireplaces and chimneys. Any advice on if the prices seem reasonable given the amount of work and also should I get a 4th opinion? It's like when I take my car in for an oil change and they tell me I need to overhaul the engine.
Thank you
