Ash dump

[Mr. Detail]

I am back after a long hiatus. My wife and I are considering buying another home that has a wood burning fireplace. The home is 27 yrs. old and after a recent home inspection the inspector said it needs a good cleaning and it has a steel lined flue (stucco on the exterior).
I think he ued the term "pre-fab" type of fireplace.
Anyway the one downside is that there is no ash dump. My question is can I add an ash dump
for a reasonable cost?

 

[Boiler74]

Ash dumps usually utilize the space under a masonry fireplace created by the foundation for that heavy masonry fireplace. Mine is a cavity inside of four masonry walls. If you just have a metal pre-fab unit, you don't have that masonry foundation under it. Most likely just a wood structure. And it would be extremely unwise to dump ashes into a framed wood structure.

 

[mellow]

Not if it truly is a pre-fab. No modifications can be made to the fireplace or it will void the UL listing.

 

[Slow1]

I suspect the answer is "you really wouldn't want to anyway" in the end. My understanding is that pre-fab fireplaces are fully engineered solutions that should not be altered...

Assuming you wish to heat with wood, I'd get an estimate on cost to put a different stove in there (freestanding or insert if one can re-use any part of that system) then consider that cost as part of the home when comparing to others.

My attitude now after heating with wood is that I wouldn't want a home I couldn't put a good wood stove in (well, until I move to the tropics) so when shopping that will be a requirement for me right up there next to "high speed internet."

 

[Mr. Detail]

Thanks guys for your responses although now you bring up a point for me as to what is the real definition of a "Pre-fab" fireplace? I am not sure now what I really have here.

 

[Slow1]

Thanks guys for your responses although now you bring up a point for me as to what is the real definition of a "Pre-fab" fireplace? I am not sure now what I really have here.

Well, what labels etc are on that thing? There must be a plate somewhere that will identify it. Someone here will be able to tell you what you have if you get enough info (maybe a pic or two).

 

[Mr. Detail]

Well I guess the boy scout in me is coming out again. "Be Prepared". Not sure if I can get back in the home for photos until we actually buy it. I will ask the home inspector if he took notice of specifics on the unit.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

pre fab, manufactured and assembled at a factory or plant. It's placed into a prepared place in the home and further assembled. The munufacturers specs determine the installation guidelines. The warranty and guarantees are affected by a proper installation. i don't believe prefabed fireplaces can be altered in any way after installation. They are not like masonry fireplaces.

 

[Mr. Detail]

Last question for now. Can anyone clarify where I should look for the manufacturer's plate or labeling as "Slow1" had suggested? Can't eb on the exterior of the hom as the chimney is all stucco covered. Perhaps up inside the firebox itself?

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

I'd say it would be in a place that is visible, the manufacturers tags/plates aren't supposed to be covered up