Question on Fireplace Repairs

[cdogstu99]

I have a two family in the Boston area. The upstairs unit has a working wood fireplace that the current tenants use often.
We just had the fireplace inspected due to some concerns we had and it sounds like it is going to be a fortune to repair.

Summary - needs to rebuild the firebox with firebricks ($3300), grind and repoint entire chimney (says mortar joints in terrible condition) ($3100), New Lead Flashing ($1150), replace broken damper ($425) ---so grand total of around $8K. says the fireplace is not useable.

His other option was to close off the fireplace with red bricks along with closing the flue and adding a chimney cap, cement crown and water sealer for a cost of $2400.

We have great tenants and they love the fireplace, but $8K is a huge outlay right now for me. I could just leave as is and tell them not to use the fireplace or spend the $2400 in repairs to close it off.

Any thoughts on this? Wondering if there are any more affordable ideas out there. Since this is a rental unit, i'm hesitant to spend $8K,especially for something that is a liability anyways.

 

[moresnow]

Fireplace and tenants in a rental? Um. I'd close it off and cap it myself. For peace of mind!

 

[cdogstu99]

thanks, that's sort of what I'm thinking right now. as far as closing it off myself, for a non mason, is this something that I could do fairly easily? I'd like to make something not so permanent--i figure if i were to ever sell the house, having the fireplace as at least an option might be more attractive.

 

[moresnow]

thanks, that's sort of what I'm thinking right now. as far as closing it off myself, for a non mason, is this something that I could do fairly easily? I'd like to make something not so permanent--i figure if i were to ever sell the house, having the fireplace as at least an option might be more attractive.

Sounds like good idea to me. I'd get a second opinion on temporarily closing off the fireplace or simply order a custom cut piece of tin/steel to close off/cover the fireplace opening and then cap the top of the chimney myself or if you need to pay for anything, hire the capping done. Worth a thought.