Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Missing Fireplace?
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Phil47
03-28-09, 08:45 PM
My wife and I are looking at buying a foreclosure where the previous owner stripped a lot of items from the house before leaving. In the interest of finding out how much it will cost us to put the house back in working order, I've been trying to find estimates on everything broken or missing. The last item on my list is a hole in the wall that, as best I can tell, used to be a gas fireplace.
The wall has a large frame in the center of the wall that's partially drywalled, but has a large gap in the front. There's a gas line in the bottom right corner of the gap as well as a direct vent (?) punched through the exterior wall. The dimensions of the framed area are what's puzzling me - a gap that's 58" wide X 48" high X 18" deep doesn't match any gas fireplace I've been able to find.
All of the fireplaces I've been able to look up have significantly smaller framing requirements. I have zero experience with fireplaces - wood, gas, or otherwise, so I don't know what I'm missing. I tried to include two links or inline images of the framed section, but I couldn't get it working. If I can figure that out, a picture may be worth 1,000 words. In the meantime, can anyone tell me whether I'm at least looking in the right direction for a overly large gas fireplace? Maybe some sort of inset or surround for a fireplace? Thanks in advance.
The wall has a large frame in the center of the wall that's partially drywalled, but has a large gap in the front. There's a gas line in the bottom right corner of the gap as well as a direct vent (?) punched through the exterior wall. The dimensions of the framed area are what's puzzling me - a gap that's 58" wide X 48" high X 18" deep doesn't match any gas fireplace I've been able to find.
All of the fireplaces I've been able to look up have significantly smaller framing requirements. I have zero experience with fireplaces - wood, gas, or otherwise, so I don't know what I'm missing. I tried to include two links or inline images of the framed section, but I couldn't get it working. If I can figure that out, a picture may be worth 1,000 words. In the meantime, can anyone tell me whether I'm at least looking in the right direction for a overly large gas fireplace? Maybe some sort of inset or surround for a fireplace? Thanks in advance.
Tolyn Ironhand
03-29-09, 08:15 AM
Post your pictures to Photobucket and then link them here.
My best guess is your correct. Many gas fireplaces cannot have combustible material touching the front so they may have been a stone/tile surround around the outside. They probably had to break that out to get the fireplace out of the opening.
My best guess is your correct. Many gas fireplaces cannot have combustible material touching the front so they may have been a stone/tile surround around the outside. They probably had to break that out to get the fireplace out of the opening.
logdoc_rob
03-29-09, 11:04 AM
Hey Phil, you may want to call in a pro on this one. They may have weakened the structure of the home. Gas fireplaces have to many things to consider when it comes to installing them. What area are you in, we may be able to direct you in the proper direction.
Phil47
03-29-09, 11:21 AM
Hmm, I can't get thumbnails of them, so I'll just leave them as links. This home is in the northern Virginia area and we'll definitely be getting an in-depth home inspection if we do decide to move forward... and a professional to reinstall if/when the time comes.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/phil_the_kid/left.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/phil_the_kid/right.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/phil_the_kid/left.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/phil_the_kid/right.jpg
Gunguy45
03-29-09, 11:27 AM
Yeah that looks like no biggie to repair and replace. They just ripped it out..prob sold it to get some bucks.
logdoc_rob
03-29-09, 01:01 PM
There must be a lot of this going on in foreclosed properties. I just got a call a couple of days ago from someone buying a foreclosed property that the previous owner removed the fireplace here in SE Virginia !!! If this property is in a development of like homes, ask a neighbor if you can get the make/model of their fireplace. With the exhaust exit that low you will want to replace the fireplace with the same unit to ease the re-install.
Phil47
03-29-09, 02:12 PM
It is in a development, but the same model of house a few doors down (that's also for sale) doesn't have a fireplace. I guess I'll have to keep hunting for one with a fireplace or maybe even track down the builder. I think that should be in the tax records. Thanks for the info on the exhaust being lower than most. I would have hated to buy a gas fireplace and found out after the fact that it wouldn't fit.
We were using the kitchen setup in the other house as the basis for kitchen planning in our potential home. Just for kicks, I added a photo of the kitchen as it is now.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/phil_the_kid/kitchen.jpg
We were using the kitchen setup in the other house as the basis for kitchen planning in our potential home. Just for kicks, I added a photo of the kitchen as it is now.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/phil_the_kid/kitchen.jpg