Essex County, New Jersey
Chimney Inspection for Older Homes in Glen Ridge, NJ
Over eight in ten Glen Ridge homes were built before 1950. In houses that old, an unused flue is as important as the one you burn in.
Glen Ridge, in Essex County, has among the oldest housing in this guide. The Census finds about 83% of homes built before 1950 and a median build year of 1939 or earlier. About 86% of homes are detached and 91% of occupied homes are owner-occupied.
In houses this old a chimney often serves more than one fireplace, and some of those flues are no longer used.
The questions that follow from that are practical: which flues are in use, which are not, and how are the unused ones protected?
Housing profile
What the housing mix means in Glen Ridge
With more than eight in ten homes built before 1950, masonry here may well have been repaired before, and houses of that age sometimes have more than one fireplace. Any unused flue needs a cap as much as the one you burn in.
What we look at
The chimney at an older house
Number of flues
A chimney stack can carry several. Count the flue tops against the fireplaces and heating appliances inside.
Unused flues
These need a cap to keep rain, animals and debris out. An open flue top is a leak path into the house.
Mortar and brick
Original mortar and brick may be soft. Repairs should be matched to them.
Interior openings
A fireplace opening that is boarded or closed should be closed properly, not just covered.
Learn
Capping an unused flue
An unused flue is still a hole in the top of the building. Without a cap it takes rain, which can run down and cause damp or deterioration, and it welcomes birds and small animals. Capping it keeps those out. A simple metal cap that fits the flue is often enough for a flue that will not be used again.
If a fireplace is being taken out of use, the inside needs attention too. Sealing the opening at the throat, rather than only covering the front, keeps heat and air from moving through it. Our guide on closing off an unused fireplace covers both ends. For caps, see chimney caps.
Capping is one of the lower-cost chimney repairs. Skipping it can lead to some of the more expensive ones.
Buyers
Buying in a house this old
Anyone buying a house this old should look at the chimney before closing. A deeper inspection level is common in these cases, because it includes more than a basic visual look. See chimney inspection when buying or selling and inspection levels.
Symptoms
| Symptom | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Animals heard in a fireplace not in use | Uncapped flue | Cap installation |
| Damp smell from an unused fireplace | Water entering the open flue | Cap and crown check |
| Soot or debris in the firebox | Flue deterioration or animal nesting | Inspection |
| Drafts from a closed-up fireplace | Opening not properly sealed | Throat or damper seal |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to cap a flue I never use?
It is strongly advisable. A flue without a cap takes in rain and animals.
Can I make an unused fireplace usable again?
Often, after an inspection confirms the flue and firebox are sound.
Is a deeper inspection needed to buy?
It is common for older houses. Which level fits depends on the situation.
Chimney Academy
Guides that go with this page
Questions about your chimney in Glen Ridge?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.