Chimneys are a lot like toilets: You tend to take them for granted until they are leaking water on the floor. I think chimneys are at a bigger disadvantage, though, because they're high up on the roof and are therefore way down on most to-do lifts when it comes to regular maintenance. As a result, chimneys are often left to the elements until they are crumbling. The good news is that most old chimneys can be deconstructed and rebuilt without much trouble. I'm often asked this question, and I always say the same thing: anywhere from one year to 100 years. The answer might sound evasive, but it's not a simple equation. There are several factors that determine the life span of a chimney.
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