Replies

1. 
   Jeff_Schwietz | May 02, 1999 03:51pm | #1

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   I too have a discoloration on the ceiling around an old chimney I tried the same approach with the same results.I might add that the stain appears oily.

2. 
   Guest_ | May 02, 1999 06:48pm | #2

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   Gentlemen,lets assume 2 things.1) The roof and/or the chimney flashing is not leaking.2) The chimney has an intact liner and furnace,water heater and fireplace exhausts are not leaching through the masonry.We will assume these 2 things for the sake of conversation(even though I suspect at least one of these conditions may be present)

   Go to a GOOD paint store.(not DIY,Lowes,orHD) Buy a product called BIN.This is mostly a shellac with a white pigment in it.Multiple coats of BIN work much better for me than KILZ or Kover Stain when trying to seal in old water stains or smoke damage.Somebody else out there may have an other favorite concoction but BIN works well for me.

   Good Luck,Stephen

1. 
   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 03:28pm | #3

   *On my chimney, there is no liner b orChimney cap.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 03:54pm | #4

   *Ron,Looks like you have found the likely cause of your problem then.Good Luck,Stephen

3. 
   thumper_ridge_runner | May 05, 1999 05:49am | #5

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   you mentioned that you had replaced your furnace....check to see that teh contractor installed a liner that reduced the size of the flue. a flue that was made for water heater and furnace but is now used for only one is too large to vent properly. the air does not stay hot enough as it reaches the top but cools off and then condenses in the flue. the moisture is causing the stains to appear. have the flue sized down.....in addition check the bricks near the top by the cap if there is any mossy growth the cap may need to be replaced...concrete{mortar} caps do not last forever and get more porous over time....a few ideas to check out.

4. 
   Guest_ | May 05, 1999 05:49am | #6

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   I live in an older house (about 80 years old or so) that has a chimney in it. When they built the house, they just plastered over the chimney instead of building walls around it. It's a one story bungalow, but the chimney goes through about 6 feet of attic before going outside.

   When we moved in, the plaster was discolored up near the ceiling. We tried painting over the stains with KILZ brand stain blocking paint, but the stain is working it's way back through.

   The roof isn't leaking around the chimney. There was an old coal burning furnace hooked into the chimney, which was later converted over to natural gas. We have since converted to a high efficiency furnace, so the chimney is only used by a natural gas water heater.

   Any ideas what could be causing the discoloration ? Any idea how to stop it ?