Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Upgrading old fireplace-what's needed???

Hi There,

I have an old brick home that has been completely remodeled except for the fireplace. The mantel & hearth have been redone, but I've been told that if I want to burn wood in it I would have to line the fluke with some kind of metal lining and replace the cover on top on the chimney. Also, there is no damper.

I got a few estimates and the prices were outrageous, so a friend and I want to do this ourselves, but we don't know what material we would need and how exactly go about doing this (he's a lot more knowlagable in this then I am!).

Thanks in advise!

There are a lot of potential issues with older fireplace. If this has not been done recently, IMO the first step is to get a "Level II" (http://www.csia.org/HomeownerResources/ChimneySafetyInfo/ChimneyInspections/tabid/116/Default.aspx) inspection of the fireplace, flue and chimney, which will include a video inspection of areas above the fireplace and within the chimney which cannot be satisfactorily inspected from the fireplace or chimney top.

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Home Inspection: "A business with illogically high liability, slim profit margins and limited economies of scale. An incredibly diverse, multi-disciplined consulting service, delivered under difficult in-field circumstances, before a hostile audience in an impossibly short time frame, requiring the production of an extraordinarily detailed technical report, almost instantly, without benefit of research facilities or resources." - Alan Carson

Your post does not indicate where you are, ie will it get a lot of use or just decoration. If you are in cold country, I would suggest you check out one of the inserts, gas, wood, or pellet. With the insert it becomes air tight and energy efficient and thus something you can use more often as a suppliment to your heating. They will also require a metal chimney probably smaller than what you have.

Ditto on what Michael said, and this is a difficult DIY project as the risks are high. Also, your insurance company may not accept something you build. You may want to check with them first anyway, because some don't like wood stoves in any form.

Also, is there anything else using this chimney?

Bud

BTW, I see chimney liners installed by people who either don't know or don't care what they're doing.

Saw one last week where a chimney top damper and liner had been installed without any remedial work to the damaged firebox, hearth or hearth extension, and without giving the owners any notice of the fact the hearth extension was incorrectly supported and was bearing on the joists below, one of which has completely cracked through.

These were all defects which should have been obvious to a competent person performing a level II inspection, ( I don't do level II's, but if I can catch this much stuff during the visual phase of a l home inspection, you can be sure there is likely more that would have been discovered during a level II by a qualified fireplace inspector).

One way to improve your chances of getting a competent fireplace inspector is to get one who is F.I.R.E. certified, (disclaimer: I have no business interest in or relationship with F.I.R.E.)

Fireplace Investigation, Research and Education Service (http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com/)
"Enter Here"
"Certified Inspectors"

certified for the particular type of system - for example gas or solid fuel - at your property.

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Home Inspection: "A business with illogically high liability, slim profit margins and limited economies of scale. An incredibly diverse, multi-disciplined consulting service, delivered under difficult in-field circumstances, before a hostile audience in an impossibly short time frame, requiring the production of an extraordinarily detailed technical report, almost instantly, without benefit of research facilities or resources." - Alan Carson

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