Cracked firebox

[keepmewarmer]

I have a U32-NG2 Natural Gas fireplace insert from Regency that was probably installed around 2003 by the previous homeowner. There appears to be a small hairline crack about 2.5 inches long in the top of the firebox that has occurred at the point where the flue vent was welded to the firebox. Can I repair this crack myself? Or do I need to replace the whole insert? Pictures attached.

 

[Fingerlakes Fireplace]

Weld it shut.

 

[keepmewarmer]

Weld it shut.

Thanks. Any suggestions for how to find a welder? Would any welder do this kind of repair?

 

[ABMax24]

Is the fireplace removed or still installed? Any good welding shop should be easily able to fix that, but it will cost you a bunch less if you can bring it to them, a portable welder will cost more. Do you know anyone with a mig welder? If it was for someone I knew I'd weld that up for a 12 pack of beer, not really much more than a 20 minute job, getting the welder and grinder to the stove is most of the job.

 

[bholler]

Thanks. Any suggestions for how to find a welder? Would any welder do this kind of repair?

Regency has lifetime warranty on their fireboxes. Have it replaced

 

[keepmewarmer]

Regency has lifetime warranty on their fireboxes. Have it replaced

They won’t replace it unless the original owner makes the warranty claim and I’m not the original owner. Any way around that?

 

[keepmewarmer]

Is the fireplace removed or still installed? Any good welding shop should be easily able to fix that, but it will cost you a bunch less if you can bring it to them, a portable welder will cost more. Do you know anyone with a mig welder? If it was for someone I knew I'd weld that up for a 12 pack of beer, not really much more than a 20 minute job, getting the welder and grinder to the stove is most of the job.

Thanks for the info. I don’t know anyone, but I’m optimistic I can find someone!