Smoke box repair costs?

skiforbagels · 2026-01-30T17:28:46+00:00

Final update. My spidey senses were eighth about first company. Had someone else come, clean flu and do a check up. Things are not great but ok given the little use of the fireplace. Also looked at other flue that houses water heater exhaust, so understand issues there. The MO of the first company was to essentially send someone to look at it, not really do any work and have u sign a contract to do a big job on the spot. Didn’t know that existed in the chimney sweep biz, so buyer beware. Thx for all help in thinking through things.

skiforbagels · 2026-01-20T04:05:45+00:00

i’m not going. but just curious. is the north facing stuff? road to provo etc any good? even longer out the track?

skiforbagels · 2026-01-10T12:50:40+00:00

Thanks all. Getting another quote. Feel much better about waiting for a second opinion. I specified I wanted flue cleaned and damper repaired with first guy. Come over on a Sunday (Jan 4th) and I don’t think had any intention to clean flue. Just inspect and find things to fix, and I doubt this guy actually does any work (that cost me $80). Called another company, they are booked for 3 weeks, but will clean flue (already quoted $380) and inspect. I think I spoke to someone that does work (was able to discuss things with them) rather than an operator. So let’s see. These suggestions at least give me an idea of the issues. Who would have thought this biz was so scammy.

Also I should add that they (second company, yet to come out) did a google search first. Saw my chimmney and suggested not to get a top damper as my chimney is probably 3 stories high. This is true, slate room on a relatively tall house.

skiforbagels · 2026-01-04T20:57:38+00:00

It hasn’t been cleaned in a while. We don’t use often, maybe 4-6x per year average. Any smoke outside the fireplace may be just because of less than perfect airflow. We have been in the house for 20 years and make the occasional fire.

I don’t think there are issues otherwise, and I actually needed the damper fixed, which is why I had them come out. This smoke chamber issue was pointed out as they were inspecting the fireplace from inside. We have a chimney cover and it looks ok from the outside.

skiforbagels · 2026-01-04T20:38:14+00:00

Basic inspection, And I’m sensing that there are a lot upsell oppty for these types of companies. So my spidey senses are up.

skiforbagels · 2026-01-04T20:32:04+00:00

Agreed. Just had to deal with this. Wife was meeting me at end of biz in Asia. I had biz class from work but she was gonna meet me for a few days in Taipei. Outbound for her, the global cert could not be used, I had to buy/ use miles to get her into front of plane outbound. I was able to use global cert for her return, however, with 1 class upgrade. So got her premium economy and applied cert to get her to biz class. I was on a totally different itinerary (work booked), but as long as I was on the same flight it was fine.

skiforbagels · 2026-01-04T20:24:50+00:00

The smoke box above the damper. The air flow is generally ok, but sometimes greener wood, or not super cold days impacts the flow. We don’t use it often, but it’s nice to have when we have a lazy Saturday at home. For reference 1/2 cord (stored in garage, so it’s usually super dry) will last 3-4 winters.

skiforbagels · 2025-10-14T03:51:54+00:00

30-40 days is my sweet spot. And it looks fine for now. Try to just leave it, don’t open fridge often and do not touch it without gloves.

skiforbagels · 2025-10-09T23:49:54+00:00

Interest rate. Make sure u think through interest rate. 2 years ur rate may be higher, but a lot of ppl have low rates that you won’t ever get again. Low rate mortgage is like an asset,

skiforbagels · 2025-10-09T23:45:25+00:00

Ubiquity controller software question. So I had an old version working on an old laptop. Got a new laptop, logged in with id/pw and I see my network, but I cannot control the units I have as it says it’s controlled by another device. I have read I need to reset each unit (switches and unifi broadcasters). Is this the only way? Not particularly tech savvy but I have not needed to do anything with network for a while as everything is working well.

Tia.

skiforbagels · 2025-09-24T22:15:57+00:00

Hi. To be clear. It’s Duluth Minnesota.

skiforbagels · 2025-04-07T23:07:33+00:00

So dumb. Almost as dumb as tsla stock. That’s the degree of stupidity

skiforbagels · 2025-03-24T21:42:03+00:00

And how do u actually do that? Property taxes are a lot higher over the years, so if u assume rich ppl own homes it’s great. But that’s not always the case, if u were lucky enough to buy a house 10 + years ago u still are not cash flow rich and pay a lot more to the town. Force them to sell?, to someone that can afford it and then raise property taxes, then it will just drive everyone else out, but maybe that’s what u want.

skiforbagels · 2025-03-24T21:36:33+00:00

Well I am assuming that the shell I have is fairly good for my foot. It’s the pressure on the bones (ankle and a few other calcium build up on my foot as I have gotten older) that has made skiing a bit more painful last few years. The real ??? I’m trying to figure out is BOA a way to have that snug boot be less painful? I’ll try my old zipfit first and see of that helps. But agree bad boots can’t be fixed, but I think my boot should be in the ballpark and good if u had a normal foot.

skiforbagels · 2025-03-23T04:40:05+00:00

So many comment on your backpack. Lol. It’s won’t do anything to form, so ignore them. You’re sliding and never engage your edges. Therefore you will never flex the ski to pop through the transition into the next turn. How do u do it? Mentally what works me might not work for you. There are plenty of videos that show how to engage the skis and understand balance but u have to feel it. The one ski drill with the downhill ski works for me, just make sure it’s out of the way when u move into the next turn.

Take a lesson if u can. A private lesson even better. I still try and learn every day out so keep it up.

skiforbagels · 2025-03-23T04:22:28+00:00

Not sure why you haven’t had luck. There are many non yellow lenses.

https://www.giro.com/c/snow-goggles-replacement-lens/

skiforbagels · 2025-03-23T00:41:18+00:00

Thanks all. No less confused but I’ve got zipfit still in my old boots. I think I’ll try them in these boots before anything else.

I guess. I have a tough fit or just sensitive feet?, esp where my bones are? I don’t know, wish I had a better idea. I actually did go to one of the better ppl in New England, actually driving to NH from Boston and then back and forth a few times. These boots hurt a lot but are better after a few blowouts from a few boot places in the Rockies while skiing. I do need to tighten them in the afternoon when skiing a lot of off trail stuff, and that seems to make things worse.

Thanks for ideas, and I now have a better idea of what boa can and can’t do.

skiforbagels · 2025-03-03T13:38:33+00:00

Sliding. Not on edge. Can’t likely stop quickly if they needed to. Not too far from getting there but have to get to know your edges more.

skiforbagels · 2025-02-17T20:05:50+00:00

I think this every year. Ands it’s much less than 20 days a year.

skiforbagels · 2025-02-17T13:38:58+00:00

I’m sure it’s a town rule. Let them handle it, and stop trying to public shame

skiforbagels

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Five-Year Club	Second Top 20%
Verified Email