I make up my own words and sayings because sometimes the English language does not supply the exact terminology I need. For example, I describe someone who is bad salesperson as someone who "Couldn't sell a lifeboat on the Titanic". The list goes on and on....
Scary last night
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I guess it may have been the brews....although, I do still feel that way LOL. I forgot to add I am glad he and his family are safe.
I've watched one house burn to the ground this winter due to a chimney fire, been to 4 other chimney fires and 4 pellet stove fires that clogged and backed up into the hopper due to people just not taking the time to do EASY preventative maintenance. It gets old fast and every single time I go to one of those calls, you can tell the people are not about to change there habits. I've offered out info on cleaning and seasoning but get nothing more than blank looks and glazed over eyes...its frustrating.
I've watched one house burn to the ground this winter due to a chimney fire, been to 4 other chimney fires and 4 pellet stove fires that clogged and backed up into the hopper due to people just not taking the time to do EASY preventative maintenance. It gets old fast and every single time I go to one of those calls, you can tell the people are not about to change there habits. I've offered out info on cleaning and seasoning but get nothing more than blank looks and glazed over eyes...its frustrating.
Mack, I think you've paid your penance here, so let's look to the future. Contact your insurance for sure. My chimney installer was able to find cracked flue tiles after a chimney fire--that paved the way for insurance to cover a new install. You have a great opportunity to do things right from now on and get a good flue and stove install--then operate it wisely!
mackconsult said:
Who cares what it costs? no matter how pricey it is it will be a h*(&^%$ lot cheaper than the six figure bill to rebuild your house when the insurance denies the claim for negligence.
Or the value of your families lives.
Not to be harsh but.....
Very glad nobody got hurt.
Roxburyeric said:
Actually if you have an intention to make an insurance claim for fire damage would they not want to see some sort of report from the fire department. I would imagine it's like making an insurance claim of theft where you need a police report and they want to know what items were stolen and how the thieves gained entree. Did they break a window or did they walk in through the unlocked doors. If the later is the case likely your insurance company will deny your claim because of negligence.
Do you think they might find a case for negligence with this chimney fire?
Ya'll have made your point. He shared his experience so that others might not make the same mistake. No need for personal insults. He messed up and fessed up. I'm glad it didn't turn out worse. Mac, don't burn in that flue again unless it has been inspected ok by a WETT certified sweep.
Insurance companies, local authorities may have different requirements than mine--but all my insurance company required was a copy of the estimate where the installer had inspected the chimney tile and found cracks in the tiles. I had previously reported I had a chimney fire and I was able to put it out myself. Fire dept. not called.
I am an insurance agent, and I doubt there is any company that can deny this claim legally. We have a saying around here .... stupidity isn't excluded, and if it was nobody would be covered! But once it's paid you will probably be dropped like a hot potato, and it will be difficult and costly to get insurance elsewhere.... so make sure it is worth it before you submit the claim. There isn't a company in the world that "likes" prior fire losses.
My insurance is USAA. Have been with them 24 years which the agent even mentioned, and I have submitted one claim when our car got broken into and laptop stolen (laptop covered under home owners, fixed the car my self). I think they consider me a pretty good customer.
Insurance said get it in inspected, and we would go from there. Portland Chimney is coming out next Monday and for $99 they are cleaning and inspecting. He asked me some questions about my house and said that these cheapo fireplaces that they put in builder jobs are not designed for fire after fire. He thinks that I will have to have the chimney and fireplace replaced, so I am pursuing this to get my new mangum ZC installed with a new 2100 8" SS chimney. Yes I will treat it right. I have already found good chimney cleaning equipment at parkrose hardware.
I just hope there is not much framing involved, it's still raining like crazy here and the wife is already pissed at me
(.
Insurance said get it in inspected, and we would go from there. Portland Chimney is coming out next Monday and for $99 they are cleaning and inspecting. He asked me some questions about my house and said that these cheapo fireplaces that they put in builder jobs are not designed for fire after fire. He thinks that I will have to have the chimney and fireplace replaced, so I am pursuing this to get my new mangum ZC installed with a new 2100 8" SS chimney. Yes I will treat it right. I have already found good chimney cleaning equipment at parkrose hardware.
I just hope there is not much framing involved, it's still raining like crazy here and the wife is already pissed at me
(.
I don't know that this is always true. My house is a starter home built in 1993. It has one of those cheapo builder job fire places in it. If the fireplace and chimney fail don't you think the insurance company would want to get it fixed to prevent any further problems???
It's just like having a cracked auto windshield. They would rather have the windshield fixed or replaced, than risk having you get an an accident creating an opportunity for further damage or liability.
It's just like having a cracked auto windshield. They would rather have the windshield fixed or replaced, than risk having you get an an accident creating an opportunity for further damage or liability.
Carbon_Liberator said:
I agree. Posting was for the benefit of all, even if it means its at my expense for being retarded.
BeGreen said:
Every day 
I will create a new thread if & when I start this new install posting pictures and findings.
I will create a new thread if & when I start this new install posting pictures and findings.BeGreen said:OK, now pull yer head out and enjoy the sunshine!
Couple quotes":
"Takes a good man to admit mistakes".
"Better to be lucky than good."
Good post to remind all of us, keep your chimney clean & inspect it now & then.
I'm checking mine today
"Takes a good man to admit mistakes".
"Better to be lucky than good."
Good post to remind all of us, keep your chimney clean & inspect it now & then.
I'm checking mine today
mackconsult if I had your good luck I'd be spending more time at the Casino...well you know what you have to do.
Whew! Man, after this thread you can believe if I mess up I'm not tellin' anyone here! For what it's worth - as a new woodburner I found this admission of guilt a real education and eye opener. I'm also glad no one was hurt. Thanks for sharing your story.
When I got home last night I cleaned out my fireplace and measured my existing chimney. It was 8", so off I went to parkrose hardware and invested $20 in chimney cleaning tool that I will be able to use with my next chimney.
Took the cap off and ran the brush down. Also took a flash light and inspected before and after. Everything was fine. Didn't see any ruptures or separations, and in fact there was only a trace of creosole in the chimney before cleaning. We probably burnt it all out with that piece of pine the night of the chimney fire.
I have canceled the claim with USAA, and canceled the upcoming inspection this weekend. I just wish I would have purchased that magnum ZC two years ago when I first started investigating, it was $1800 then, know it is $2300(.
Took the cap off and ran the brush down. Also took a flash light and inspected before and after. Everything was fine. Didn't see any ruptures or separations, and in fact there was only a trace of creosole in the chimney before cleaning. We probably burnt it all out with that piece of pine the night of the chimney fire.
I have canceled the claim with USAA, and canceled the upcoming inspection this weekend. I just wish I would have purchased that magnum ZC two years ago when I first started investigating, it was $1800 then, know it is $2300
(.
If you had your head up your ass like I do, then you would know that no matter how much flaming or rhetoric I get can't here any of it )
)smokestack said:
Live and learn . . . just glad things turned out more or less OK.
Not trying to laugh too much . . . but I'm still wondering what is worse . . . wondering if the chimney fire did any damage to the flue or having your wife ticked off at you for so long.
I'm not much of a betting man, but I'll bet Mack will now be more faithful when it comes to cleaning the chimney.
Not trying to laugh too much . . . but I'm still wondering what is worse . . . wondering if the chimney fire did any damage to the flue or having your wife ticked off at you for so long.
I'm not much of a betting man, but I'll bet Mack will now be more faithful when it comes to cleaning the chimney.
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