Common Chimney Problems
Missaligned / shifted clay flue tiles
This was an active oil flue. The oil man reported that there was a poor draft. Note the pine needles. Not only was it partially blocked from the fallen bricks and clay, but there was a bucket full of pine needles down in front of the vent pipe. A chimney cap would have prevented the pine needles.
This is the bottom oil flue. Look carefully at the road map of hairline cracks
Above and below show an aluminum liner used for an oil burner flue. It only lasted 5 -7 years before this happened. It melted and caused a blockage resulting in damage to the fire chamber of the boiler. Not to mention oil smoke filling the basement in the middle of the night.
This is another oil flue reported by the oil man with a poor draft.
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