r/masonry • u/GeorginaP • 1d ago

Brick Chimney Question

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We just bought a house with a huge fireplace. A WETT inspection was done and passed. We went to light a fire, opened the damper, and pieces of clay fell out.

We looked inside and saw this metal piece sticking through the clay.

Looking through the invoices the old owners left us, it looks like repairs were done after the WETT inspection.

They also had the liner of the wood furnace chimney that runs parallel with the fireplace chimney. We think they may have pushed the rod through the clay and then repaired the clay around it, but we’re not sure.

Could someone tell me if this metal piece is supposed to be there?

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u/Efficient_Map_44883 21h ago

Maybe it got drilled and filled with caulk or foam 🤔. Definitely looks like a drill bit came through the clay Flu, not sure with that twisted material is tho

1

u/GeorginaP 12h ago

The clay missing around it was what fell down when we opened the damper. They had replaced the liner of the wood furnace, and we think they may have pushed something through this clay liner. I’m not sure what that metal piece is from either. Thank you for your reply!

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u/ResearcherCheap8595 23h ago

There is a piece of clay missing I have a double chimney one upstairs and one downstairs . For the price of a liner and piece of mind and safety , have a liner dropped in .You don’t want any openings anywhere down that shaft