Usually it would be between where the chimney enters and exits the attic. Folklore says that this was done because witches could only fly down a straight chimney and the bend would prevent them from coming into your home. Another, more likely, reason for a witches crook has to do with home aesthetics.
Chimneys are slanted so you don't get light coming down them at certain hours of the day.
Masonry Degradation
Your chimney is exposed to the elements 24/7, which take their toll over time. Constant exposure to rain, snow, ice, freezing, and thawing, cause mortar joints to decay and bricks to become loose, which can unbalance the structure, causing it to lean.
However, most chimneys are not straight, vertical shafts. Often, they are kinked because two or more fireplaces have flues which join a single chimney shaft and have to move laterally to do so. Even single chimneys usually incorporate a 'smoke shelf' which is an internal ledge to assist the drawing up of smoke.
This rule means that your chimney's shortest side needs to be at least 3 feet above the roof penetration, and its top has to be 2 feet higher than any part of the building that's within 10 feet.
Chimneys should stand tall and straight, not pitch to one side. However, be aware that some builders design chimneys to “tilt” if the fireplace is not centered inside the house.
The flow area of the largest common vent or chimney shall not exceed seven times the area of the smallest draft hood outlet. Typically: many water heaters use a 3" flue, the largest area to connect the water heater should be 49" in area or an 8" x 8" chimney tile or 7" round chimney.
Since chimneys usually lean because there's a problem with the foundation under the chimney, underpinning using helical piers or push piers is a common solution. Typically you may use 2 – 4 piers depending on the size of the chimney's foundation. The repair is minimally invasive and doesn't require much excavation.
Horizontal chimneys have greater suction area compared to vertical chimneys. Vertical chimneys on the other hand have motor inclined at 45 degrees. This results in zero angular displacement between smoke produced and motor suction.
Our CGMA quality assured GRP chimneys provide an excellent alternative to traditionally constructed stacks, offering speed of construction and extra floor space within the home. Offered in brick, stone and render finishes, using exactly the same material being supplied to the property.
Eventually, that may lead to a section of the house sinking or becoming unlevel. In addition, more cracks may appear in the foundation. This could cause cracks in the house, which can lead to problems of their own. This is why a leaning chimney can point to a far more serious problem.
A Missing Footing
This is required due to the heaviness of the brick and mortar it's required to support. Unfortunately, older houses may not even have a footing, which can cause the chimney to slowly sink into the ground or pull away from the house.
In some cases, even if the original house is no longer present, the chimneys may still stand. The house might have burned down or been demolished, leaving only the chimneys behind. The reasons behind leaving the chimney standing could vary, but it often adds a decorative piece to the landscape.
This is commonly caused by either destruction of the chimney's masonry by moisture or problems with the chimney's foundation, which is often a sign of improper construction. Unless the tilt is fixed by a qualified professional, it will continue to get worse until the chimney collapses.
Chimneys and fireplaces were typical in house buildings before the 1900s because the fire was the primary method to heat homes. Once alternative fuels came into vogue, such as gas and electricity, people no longer relied on their fireplaces and either left them as-is for decoration or sealed them up.
Yes, chimneys need to breathe, even if they won't be used anymore. The vast majority of problems with chimneys are related to moisture, and that's the issue as regards ventilation. If there is no air flow in the chimney, moisture gets trapped and deterioration of the chimney structure will be accelerated.
As previously stated, the operating power of the chimney motor varies from 150 to 250 watts, depending on the suction power. The lights in the kitchen chimney will then consume 25 watts each. Since most kitchen chimneys have two lights, the average total power would be 50 watts.
If the chimney is leaning away from the house, as if it might crash into the yard, the cause is most likely a foundational problem. The concrete footing, or chimney pad, at the base of the chimney is what sustains all of its weight. If the footing fails, the entire chimney will be less stable.
Causes of Chimney Tilting
Sometimes, masons cut corners or use inferior materials when constructing a chimney causing it to break down more quickly than it should. Besides tilting, poor construction leads to other damage, including water ingress, failing mortar joints, and crumbling brickwork.
Folklore says that this was done because witches could only fly down a straight chimney and the bend would prevent them from coming into your home.
The average cost of chimney repair is $455, ranging from $160 to $750. That covers repair work for more common chimney problems, like minor repointing, wood rot, small liner repairs, and chimney cap or crown replacement. If you need to rebuild a section of your chimney, costs can range from $1,000 to $5,000.
One repair method is the use of helical piers. They're made of steel and serve to stabilize a leaning chimney. Piers may even help straighten the chimney. It's a repair accomplished without dismantling your chimney.
In older houses located in colder climates, it was fairly common to have one chimney with two or more separate flues. This would allow a homeowner to vent, say, an oil-burning appliance as well as one, two, or even three wood-burning stoves/fireplaces. “Older” is the keyword here: these houses were not airtight.
"Flue fires are perennial". They happen every winter when creosote deposits on the smoke chamber and flue walls are set ablaze by high heat or by flames licking up the chimney. A chimney fire can be exciting and light up the night, but it is NEVER a laughing matter.
That is the question –– but it's an easy answer. If you opt for a no-fireplace or “fake” fireplace, you don't need a chimney (as long as there is a good venting system built into the house). But for woodburning and gas fireplaces — and that classic and cozy home look — gowith a chimney.