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Question about cleaning a really old fireplace in Savannah
I was working on a 150 year old house downtown last Tuesday and found a hidden flue behind a loose brick. The owner said it hadn't been touched in maybe 50 years. What's the safest way to check for cracks in something that old without causing more damage?
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mianelson2d ago
Used to believe a visual check with a flashlight was enough. Then a friend in historic restoration showed me how much you can miss. They use a simple smoke test now, lighting a small smoke pellet in the fireplace with the damper closed. Watching where the smoke escapes shows every tiny crack in the old brick or mortar without touching anything. It's cheap and shows you exactly what you're dealing with before you even think about cleaning.
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the_olivia2d ago
So you're telling me I've been staring at my fireplace like a confused raccoon for nothing? I guess my flashlight method is about as useful as checking a car engine by kicking the tires.
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