Hello Hearth Family!
Ive been reading alot on here and other sites and Im hoping you guys can help. I was given an old E-Z insert Wood Burning Insert and Im in the processes of installing.
Before I bought the house 4 years ago I was told the chimney was relined, and I just had the fireplace cleaned (prior to starting the project) and they said everything should go right in.
They left, I started the job and it doesn’t quite fit right, furthermore I found that my firebricks were one sneeze away from falling out. As nice as the Chimney sweep guys were, Im discovering they did a lousy job. They did not go on roof, no camera up chimney, just jammed a brush up and collected my money. I have used the fireplace fairly regularly the past 4 years, and the past 2 seasons it would smoke at times but not always. I have not used since the cleaning.
Im going to replace the firebricks (already purchased bricks and refractory cement), and replace the 2.5 in with the 1.25 in thick bricks since they wont be directly in contact with flames now the insert will be going in. The thinner bricks should allow the insert to go just about all the way in. Behind the Firebricks is Cinderblock and concrete and there isnt combustible materials (wood) for at least another 8 inches thru about 8in of cinderblock or more. Also the fireplace/chimney is on the outside wall of the house and is brick all the way up. Does this sound ok? Do I even need to have firebricks between the insert and the cinderblock?
The other question I have is, this insert is fairly old and the damper vent on the top is basically a 30 in wide slit that the damper control flap just slides against to close. There is no flange to put an exhaust vent to connect to the stainless liner. Once I get this insert in, I believe the damper hole will line up perfectly to the original damper that sits above the insert. Do I still need to have a connector from this insert to my chimney? (Sidenote: Although the previous owner said chimney was relined, I just looked up through damper frame and didnt see any stainless, confused.)
I’ve already removed the original damper vent door, and in order to fit this insert all the way In I have to either cut a lip off the damper throat or remove altogether.
Im low budget, and my 80yo house’s heating bill is off the charts, this would be a major help if I got it going, and safely.
Thanks in advance.
Mr. Freezing
Ive been reading alot on here and other sites and Im hoping you guys can help. I was given an old E-Z insert Wood Burning Insert and Im in the processes of installing.
Before I bought the house 4 years ago I was told the chimney was relined, and I just had the fireplace cleaned (prior to starting the project) and they said everything should go right in.
They left, I started the job and it doesn’t quite fit right, furthermore I found that my firebricks were one sneeze away from falling out. As nice as the Chimney sweep guys were, Im discovering they did a lousy job. They did not go on roof, no camera up chimney, just jammed a brush up and collected my money. I have used the fireplace fairly regularly the past 4 years, and the past 2 seasons it would smoke at times but not always. I have not used since the cleaning.
Im going to replace the firebricks (already purchased bricks and refractory cement), and replace the 2.5 in with the 1.25 in thick bricks since they wont be directly in contact with flames now the insert will be going in. The thinner bricks should allow the insert to go just about all the way in. Behind the Firebricks is Cinderblock and concrete and there isnt combustible materials (wood) for at least another 8 inches thru about 8in of cinderblock or more. Also the fireplace/chimney is on the outside wall of the house and is brick all the way up. Does this sound ok? Do I even need to have firebricks between the insert and the cinderblock?
The other question I have is, this insert is fairly old and the damper vent on the top is basically a 30 in wide slit that the damper control flap just slides against to close. There is no flange to put an exhaust vent to connect to the stainless liner. Once I get this insert in, I believe the damper hole will line up perfectly to the original damper that sits above the insert. Do I still need to have a connector from this insert to my chimney? (Sidenote: Although the previous owner said chimney was relined, I just looked up through damper frame and didnt see any stainless, confused.)
I’ve already removed the original damper vent door, and in order to fit this insert all the way In I have to either cut a lip off the damper throat or remove altogether.
Im low budget, and my 80yo house’s heating bill is off the charts, this would be a major help if I got it going, and safely.
Thanks in advance.
Mr. Freezing