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Q: When rebuilding a chimney above the roofline, is it okay to reuse the existing bricks? I have heard that mortar does not stick as well to reused bricks as it does to new bricks. Is this true?
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Q: My company has been asked to enclose a triple-wall metal chimney with a rectangular chase above the roofline. The chimney vents a fireplace, and extends about 4 feet above the roof. The homeowners want to box in the chimney with framing, sheathing, sid
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Q: I have been asked to determine the cause of black shadow marks on a cathedral ceiling in a new home. The black marks correspond to the bottom sections of the rafters, near where the rafters meet the wall. The black shadows do not resemble stains from water leaks. There is a gas fireplace on one...
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Want to keep the fireplace from smoking your clients out of their living room? The answer lies in building a straight flue, locating the chimney in the center of the house, and controlling air pressure with makeup air.
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Unvented gas fireplaces and heaters are the latest craze at hearth product retail stores. But before you install one for a client, you'd better consider the liability.
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Replacements for the hearth
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To comply with federal emissions regulations, manufacturers have designed a new breed of wood stoves and fireplaces that burn cleaner and more efficiently.
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In a tight house, kitchen and bath exhaust fans can interfere with the natural draft of chimney-vented heating equipment. An energy expert explains how power vents and combustion air supply ducts can solve the problem.
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Lumber grading rules, on learning CAD, backdrafting in tight houses
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A mason explains what makes the Rumford such an efficient fireplace and tells how to build one.