| Author |
Message |
    
AngelaK
Citizen
Username: Angelak
Post Number: 28
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 8:43 pm: | 
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Hi all,
I have a big brick fireplace that was used for gas-burning. There is a gas-pipe that sticks up into the firebox (but it connects to nothing in the basement). The fireplace is leaning away from the wall, so if we peek around the back we can see what seems to be the original wood-burning firebox.
Has anyone seen this before? If yes, do you know if it is feasible to get rid of the gas-burning fireplace and restore the wood-burning fireplace (maybe with a less clunky mantel)?
I've attached a photo that shows a sideview. Sorry for the messy view; we were refinishing the floors when I took the picture |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 341
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 9:19 pm: |
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We had something like that as well. But found out that our oil system used that flue. We were told that in order to get a wood burning fireplace we would have to get the chimney torn down and rebuilt with two flues going through it.(This was 22 yrs ago. Maybe they have someting else now.) An expense we didn't want to take on. So we put a gas stove in front of the fireplace. It does not have the ambiance of a fire, but does warm the house (1400 S.F.) when it is on. It is also vent free so no pipe coming out of the house nor up the side. Rich just attached it to the existing gas line. (But you said yours wasn't attached to anything. Right?) |
AngelaK
Citizen
Username: Angelak
Post Number: 30
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 10:30 pm: |
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That makes sense. I have gas rather than oil, but I'd imagine it's much the same story, flue-wise. Yes, the gas-pipe in the basement coming from the fireplace just ends after a foot or so. I have no idea if it was ever hooked up or why it was disconnected if it had been hooked up.
I'm interested in ditching the current brick because the living room gets the least light in the house. The heavy dark brick adds to the gloom. Although getting rid of the wall-to-wall carpet and going with the natural color of the wood floors has really brightened the place up. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12173
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 7:15 am: |
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A fair number of houses around here were built with unvented gas fireplaces and some houses had their wood burning fireplaces converted to gas. Look in the fireplace opening towards the top and if you see a flue, it probably was originally a wood burner. However, the odds are it is gas only.
The following is pure opinion so take it as you want to. I wouldn't use an unvented gas fireplace. If you do use it, keep a window in the room open for ventilation and have a carbon monoxide detector in the room.
The newer direct vent gas fireplaces are a whole different thing. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 2052
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 9:16 am: |
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Give Jack Williams a call 973-284-0867. We had him turn our unvented fireplace into a gas one and built the additional flue (we only had one for the furnace).
He's very knowledgable and will be able to tell you what's possible. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8400
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
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Check with the Town before you do anything. My neighbors have gone thru code hell with a WBF. But, it's one of those things that make a lot of sense from a safety point of view. |
AngelaK
Citizen
Username: Angelak
Post Number: 34
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 10:26 am: |
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Terrific! Thanks. I have Jack Williams coming out next Thursday to take a look. |
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