Remove top of the chimney

Getting to the 2nd (the smaller) chimney, it was time to decide what to do with it. It was to come down eventually, but removing it would not a smart move since the new spot for the water heater has not been cleared, nor has the gas line yet been extended. And, I really did not feel like making a mess down in the living room and kitchen at this time.

With Felix and crew eager to put down plywood and underlayment, decision had to be taken. I sort of decided to keep it for now, but with the old flashing gone, one could actually "wiggle" the chimney a few inches back and forth, so it was clear it was broken somewhere down in the house. Possibly always been like that, or it might have happened during the 2001 earthquake. In any case, since we were now working on the roof, it was easy for me to remove the section sticking up over the roof, put new plywood down and finish the roof. I could tackle the section inside the house later.

It didn't take long to cut and remove the upper portion of the chimney, and gently toss the bricks down in the front yard. When done, it allowed Felix to install a short rafter, put down plywood, and finish the underlayment on the East side.

I just now had to convince the wife that we'd be w/o hot water for a day or so, or until I had a new B-vent pulled out through the basement and up along the exterior wall outside the kitchen. Two trips to Lowe's and it was done, and hot-water was again flowing on Sunday evening. Actually, with a 50-gallon heater, there was likely still enough hot water for a few showers, even w/o having the heater connected to the gas line. Contrary to popular belief, an older well insulated hot-water heater inside a house is not that bad. The current trend towards (very) expensive (and complex) "end-less" hot-water heaters is somewhat of a fab. We have never run out of hot water, and I think few actually does. And, what are the true savings if you instead use the "end-less" hot water feature and take much longer showers? Just more hot water down the drain and a larger gas bill.

The new B-vent does not look pretty, but it works and it'll stay until hot water heater moves back to the more logical spot where it was in the early days (then an electric heater) in the 60ies. And when we are getting to that area of the roof, I'll make the roof penetration and put in the flashing for a new B-vent. Then the major thing (roof work) is done, and I can focus on just relocating the heater (90% inside work).