Unraveling

9/5/2012

Unraveling

Have you ever pulled, rather than cut, a string from a sweater and ended up with a sleeve in your hand?  

Well, that's kind of what's happening with the fireplace.  Our den is cold - all winter long - the fireplace is drafty and this year I wanted to replace it with a gas log insert. Easy enough?  Right?  Absolutely.  You remove the existing glass door screens, have the chimney swept for the last time and pay for the gas logs.  Very doable.

But we are world famous for the cloud that hangs over the top of our heads.  Don't know why, just wish it would move on.  Bought the gas logs and are on the installation wait list which shouldn't be too long, because really who thinks about fires in the middle of summer?  Second, removed the glass doors and have put them out on Craigslist to hopefully sell.

The chimney sweep was out yesterday and he used the same brushes and tools that they used in Mary Poppins - sadly though there was no dancing on the roof.  When he started his cleaning he said something along the lines of, "it's a good thing you're putting in gas."  Okay that didn't sound good, maybe some of our bricks inside the fireplace need repointing (I think that's what they call it).

Then he got on the roof.  Here's where a simple job began to unravel and become a TAD more expensive than was originally expected.  He tells us that the first 13-15 courses (rows) of brick on the top of the chimney should be replaced.  Apparently, those bricks m-o-v-e!  I can't explain it in technical terms, just that his fear was that the top part of the chimney MIGHT come tumbling down and when he touched them they had a lot of "give".  It's a good thing that the big bad wolf doesn't know that he could probably huff and puff those bricks down.  His suggestion, which we eventually took, was to replace the top part of the chimney BEFORE the gas log insert and chimney sleeves were installed.  

Buying the gas log inserts was one thing, but replacing part of the chimney wasn't on the agenda or in the budget.  Still, the thought that during a storm the bricks could come down and possibly hurt someone or something wasn't acceptable either.

Today, the masons are coming out to put up the scaffolding and start taking the chimney down and then rebuild it.  It is a necessary expense - but, if I hadn't wanted the gas log insert in the first place, Jeff and I would never have known or even suspected that the chimney was damaged.  A good thing?  Absolutely.  We're just going to feel the hit in the old checkbook after today!

Once the bricks have been replaced - the wolf can come back anytime and we'll be safe and snug inside.

Enjoy your Wednesday - it's my last day at home - return to work tomorrow so I'll try and enjoy myself as much as possible today.

P