Response from Atlanta Fireplace Specialists
[member name removed], We came to your home on 10/31/2013 to sweep a very dirty masonry fireplace. While I was there the fireplace was found to be unsafe to use. The mortar joints in the brick work of the firebox were completely degraded, the fireplace and hearth extension are built on wooded sub floor, the appliance liner is completely exposed in the smoke chamber for about eight feet and misaligned, the appliance vent pipe is rusted out and separated from the chimney in the basement, the tops of the chimneys are not covered and the crowns are badly cracked, the mortar joints in the exterior of the chimney have many holes and in fact there were trees/plants growing out of the chimney. The guy that gave you the estimate is a friend of mine, however, he also worked for me and has been a certified chimney sweep for over twenty years. His job was to help me put out the complicated estimates that take time to write up, since I spend most of my time in the field and not in the office. The recommendations we made to you were for your protection. I hope you take the fact that your fireplace is not safe to use seriously and at least call someone else to fix it. DO NOT USE THE FIREPLACE UNTIL IT IS FIXED! The appliance liner is currently pumping carbon monoxide in your home and putting you and your family at risk. You NEED to get it fixed. Since I cannot post the pictures here, I will upload them to my Facebook page, feel free to take another look