Shortening - Not the Kitchen Type Though

The chimney for the boiler and water heater has been a PITA lately.

1. I've been watching it because it seemed like the top couple of layers of block were showing signs of damage.
2. It didn't have a covering so any rain/snow came right into the building envelop. The moisture did not seep out of the cleanout in the basement - but it was going somewhere, and I wouldn't doubt that it contributed to the moisture that seeps up thru the basement floor.
3. Since I put in the solar array, it has been very evident that on sunny days one panel is really affected by the shadow it cast, and another is somewhat affected.

I contacted a local mason (the town FB page is very handy for finding the local people that don't really advertise and go by word-of-mouth), he came and looked at it last Sunday.

Now, in my dreams, I would have had the chimney removed. It is in the middle of the house and takes up valuable kitchen space, and then more space in the basement (not so valuable, but  still). Plus I would have been able to close up the roof and block off any air infiltration from the attic into the house. BUT, that would have taken major work, in a fairly inaccessible location (the attic access is thru a closet in the office). Additionally, with the standing seam roof, and the solar array, even more complications are introduced (shingles would have been a straightforward project even with the array). I wasn't sure I was willing to go thru such a major project to gain a couple of square feet in the kitchen. The mason also pointed out that leaving the chimney there just in case it was ever needed again would not be a bad thing. So, we agreed upon it being shortened and capped.

Tuesday he came out and did the work

Is it pretty? No, but it is functional (or non-functional - LOL) and really, you have to stand on my back property line to get a good view of it - and I don't care what the people in the apartments back there see :)

Comments

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It will be interesting to see the difference in your solar panel output.