NY Fireplace Inspections: Inspect-ny.com

Check it before burning. This season of holiday entertaining made us want to break out the kindling and enjoy some gatherings around the old fireplace. The really, old, fireplace. Living in a building that was constructed in 1880, and having only lived in our place for about 6 months, we realized we really need to have the flue checked out before lighting up for holiday parties. A little research led us to this clear and informative guide on NY fireplace inspections...

Even if the draw is strong and pulls smoke upward very well, there is the chance that cracks in a flue will let smoke escape into the apartments of upstairs neighbors. The article above outlines precautions you can take, like having a chimney scan inspection done.

So, be sure to take the time at the start of this season to get to know your chimney if you don't already. -regina

(ReEdited from 2006-12-04 - MGR)

Comments (6)

I think it's the law in NYC that chimneys have to be lined, ie a round metal tube has to be snaked up the flue. I think this law was why so many fireplaces were sealed in the first place in the 1970's.

posted by Diana on 2006-12-04 15:22:50

I though y'alls lived for a long time in the tiny 250 sq. ft. place you did the "8 month" cure with? How can you only have been there 6 months?

posted by Dave on 2006-12-04 15:26:51

Dave - Sorry: I forgot to include my name at the end of the post. This post is from me, not Maxwell, which explains the 6-month period mentioned. Kind of hard to have an 8-month cure in a 6-month-old apartment, huh?

posted by regina on 2006-12-04 16:01:49

thx for the clarfication - from the pics I've seen of maxwell's pied a terre, I couldn't imagine where a fireplace would fit and how it wouldn't set the whole place on fire!

posted by Dave on 2006-12-04 18:48:10

How difficult is it to un-seal a fireplace once it has been sealed up? is it hopeless?

posted by anon on 2006-12-05 11:41:58

I have a lovely fireplace in my 274 sq ft place, but the landlord won't spend the dough to maintain it... so candles inside it will be. I do find it annoying that when there is a brisk rainfall, I have water coming in through the chimney.... They joys of New York apartments....

posted by Devyn on November 26th 2007 at 6:56pm
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