Fireplace Facade Question

[Janay]

We are currently in the process of removing our old brick fireplace facade and preparing for a hearthstone wood burning insert. We have been slowly removing the brick and have discovered a section with insulation behind the brick. We don't understand the purpose of this, but it does explained why we were getting a smokey smell in the house when we did use the fireplace. I'm curious if anyone could eplaine the reason behind this so we can properly replace the facade with stacked stone. I have included pictures of what we started with and where we are currently. Thank you for any help in advance.

 

[begreen]

There are other potential reasons for the smoke smell including poor fireplace design, negative pressure, improper chimney sizing, poor chimney location, etc.

How tall is the chimney on this fireplace? What is the ID of the chimney? Is there a smoke shelf above the damper? What kind of cap does it have? Is there a second flue in this chimney?

 

[bholler]

We are currently in the process of removing our old brick fireplace facade and preparing for a hearthstone wood burning insert. We have been slowly removing the brick and have discovered a section with insulation behind the brick. We don't understand the purpose of this, but it does explained why we were getting a smokey smell in the house when we did use the fireplace. I'm curious if anyone could eplaine the reason behind this so we can properly replace the facade with stacked stone. I have included pictures of what we started with and where we are currently. Thank you for any help in advance.

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Why are you removing the face in preparation for an insert? It's not abnormal at all to have insulation in areas like that and as long as the masonry structure was built properly it should pose no hazard at all

 

[begreen]

Why are you removing the face in preparation for an insert? It's not abnormal at all to have insulation in areas like that and as long as the masonry structure was built properly it should pose no hazard at all

Yes, I couldn't see how that was the problem. The change sounds cosmetic. They're changing the look to stacked stone.

 

[bholler]

Yes, I couldn't see how that was the problem. The change sounds cosmetic. They're changing the look to stacked stone.

Oops I missed that