3-story Triplex with Collapsed Chimney

[James Dolan]

Anyone have any experience with collapsed chimneys? I have a 3-story triplex in Pittsburgh under contract that has a collapsed chimney. I'll be getting quotes for repairs and renovations but just curious what others have done in the past. Build the chimney right back up where it existed before? Are there other options?

[John Teachout]

Wow, I've removed a chimney that was unneeded before but I never heard of one collapsing. Often a house will burn to the ground the the chimney will still be standing like a monument. Here in Georgia, that's a common site. People leave them stand even though the house has been gone for decades.

As far as a solution, has the rubble been removed? Do you need a chimney for venting gas furnace? water heaters?

Most likely the chimney supported a number of fireplaces and you wouldn't have to go back with that. So figure out what you need and then get some quotes to create that.