Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2019 · 32 posts · 4 votes
Hey! I'm wondering if anyone has any input for my situation. I've got an old place in northern Minnesota that I'm rehabbing and I'm getting a new roof in the next few weeks. The place is difficult to keep warm in the winter and the old chimney is hooked up to the old oil furnace is no longer in use. Right now the place is heated primarily by baseboard (electric) so the chimney isn't used and it looks like it's wearing out.
I'm wondering if I should get rid of the chimney during my new roof installation because I'm not using it now or if it may be beneficial to keep in the future if I say for example install a wood burning stove, get hooked up to oil again, or use some other sort of heating method?
Lender · White Bear Township, MN · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
@Asher Knudson We have done this 3 times and it is easy but its hard work for a laborer. I'd highly recommend it because a side benefit is it will give you the abilty to open up a wall or create a better floor plan.
Rental Property Investor · MN · Member since 2015 · 186 posts · 149 votes
7y
Remove it. Avoid possible leaks, maintenance (cleaning), tuck-pointing over time, and also some insurance companies won't cover the house because it's wood burning. In the future if you wanted a fireplace, you can install a gas one that can vent to the side of the house and doesn't use chimney.