Answers

One of the most important foundational elements of a successful fire damage restoration project is the philosophical approach the restorer takes in addressing the damage. Years ago the typical practice was to add oderants (smelly stuff) and try to cover smoke residues with encapsulants (e.g.KILZ). The professional restorer today concentrates on source odor removal, that is, removing the smoke residues as completely as possible rather than trying to overpower them with other "better" smells and covering them up with some sort of "sealer". This is more labor intensive, but is fundamental to restoring the property to a true pre-loss condition and maintaining the property's value. The best bet for successfully identifying what can be successfully salvaged is finding a competent restorer advisor that you trust- this is not really a do it yourself skill. set.

You definitely should not have any leaking.  I suggest you call a plumber to come look at the issue.

I highly recommend getting the opinion of a local arborist.  If you have trouble finding one check with your local tree nursery or Botanical Garden for a referral.  We have used one before and it was the best $100 we could have spend considering the situation.

not sure about the product used in your home. we usually pack the joint with oakum. then we use hydrolic cement (water plug). followed by tar on the outside. hope this helps. email with any questions. kevin@mrplumbing.com