I just bought a mobile home with a wood burning fireplace (that I'd like to convert to gas). During the process of dismantling the old hearth for remodeling I discovered 4"-5" diameter metal flex conduits of the air intake kit going through massive 12" holes in the sub floor directly into the craw space below the home with no insulation. And evidence of past rodents who took advantage of such a large breach.
I'd like to decrease the sub floor's oversized openings with patches of cement board (there's plenty of room under the elevated hearth). I'd also like to insulate the air intake conduits to further close the gap and prevent formation of condensation where the intake conduit's carrying cold air meet the hot firebox. Is it safe and legal for me to insulate the air intake conduits? The insulation will have non-flammable foil backing.
I'd like to decrease the sub floor's oversized openings with patches of cement board (there's plenty of room under the elevated hearth). I'd also like to insulate the air intake conduits to further close the gap and prevent formation of condensation where the intake conduit's carrying cold air meet the hot firebox. Is it safe and legal for me to insulate the air intake conduits? The insulation will have non-flammable foil backing.
