maxb46•3mo ago

Saw a 1920s chimney in the old part of Savannah that made me think

I was down in Savannah last week for a family thing and walked past a house getting some work done. They had the old flue tiles pulled out and stacked on the lawn, the kind they made before modern clay liners. They were huge, maybe 18 inches square, and the mortar was just crumbling to dust. Made me think about how we used to have to patch those with fireclay and hope for the best, but now a full reline is the only safe call. Anyone else run into those old giant tiles and have a good way to explain the cost to a homeowner?

3 comments

3 Comments

julia6223mo ago

Used to think a patch job was fine, but seeing those old tiles turn to powder changed my mind.

hill.hugo2mo ago

I see your point, @julia622, but sometimes a full fix isn't possible right away. A good patch can buy you time to save up for the proper repair. It's all about what works for your situation.

barbarahill3mo ago

Totally get it, @julia622. Once that old material starts to crumble, a patch just won't hold. You really need a full fix to make it last.