What to do with a crumbling firebox? Chimney is sealed and not used.

by Lib1481968

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The 100 year old bricks are turning to dust. How can I stop this and repair the inside of the firebox?

3 answers

Hope Williams on Mar 31, 2015
You are not going to be able to stop it. You can however take out any remaining loose bricks and kind of frame our a support until you can get a mason in to stop it and seal it properly. With that kind of age on it, I would truly get a pro in there ASAP. I wish you luck in preserving your firebox.

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- Hope Williams on Mar 31, 2015
  Type in Crumbling firebox
  
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Hope Williams on Mar 31, 2015
Just googled it. Two sites: How to fix crumbling firebox for dummies. (I know) And YouTube videos of step by step how to. Check them out.

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- Lib1481968 on Apr 02, 2015
  Thanks, had not seen the "dummies" site
  
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- Hope Williams on Apr 02, 2015
  There is a "dummies" for just about everything! 😃
  
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Susan E on Apr 09, 2015
I saw the guys on This Old House install a steel chimney liner. My guess it was not cheap, but you can look into it.

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- Lib1481968 on Apr 09, 2015
  I also saw online that milk sprayed over them will stop the crumbling--crazy but maybe worth a try!
  
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- Hope Williams on Apr 10, 2015
  @Susan E, the chimney liner is for a crack in the actual chimney itself. If smoke is leaking around the perimeter somewhere. Not a crumbling box.
  
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- Susan E on Apr 10, 2015
  @Hope Williams Thanks for the correction. I lived in a house in Iowa, probably pre 1900, and the firebox and chimney were bad. The landlord solved it by dropping bricks down the chimney. Took me weeks to get all the black soot out of everything. I finally moved. I just assumed that if one was bad all were bad.
  
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- Hope Williams on Apr 10, 2015
  Not necessarily. You truly need a brick/chimney person. The fire box DOES have structural integrity to it. If you own this home, you really need to call a professional. This could end up being your worst nightmare all over again. You can not just take it out. As the roof, wall and other surrounding structures have to be addressed as well. Please, please, PLEASE, hire a professional!
  
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