I got ripped off, didn’t I?

[ThePete]

Hey there! I have a 1906 home that has three old coal burning fireplaces. They’ve been closed up for a long time, but we wanted to convert one to a vented gas log fireplace and hired a local guy who assured us he was licensed and insured and has been in the business for years. He was courteous and professional, enlarged the firebox area and put in new firebrick. Looks and works great, until I took a peek up it yesterday when I noticed something that seemed to be dripping slowly down the back.

This doesn’t look right to me, and the middle thing is an actual exposed beam where that drip seems to be originating. Is this as bad as it seems? I know nothing about it and just trusted them naively.

 

[bholler]

Hey there! I have a 1906 home that has three old coal burning fireplaces. They’ve been closed up for a long time, but we wanted to convert one to a vented gas log fireplace and hired a local guy who assured us he was licensed and insured and has been in the business for years. He was courteous and professional, enlarged the firebox area and put in new firebrick. Looks and works great, until I took a peek up it yesterday when I noticed something that seemed to be dripping slowly down the back.

This doesn’t look right to me, and the middle thing is an actual exposed beam where that drip seems to be originating. Is this as bad as it seems? I know nothing about it and just trusted them naively.

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Yes you got ripped off in many ways

 

[clancey]

Whatever that is ---it can be fixed and ---its a matter of figuring it out...clancey

 

[bholler]

Whatever that is ---it can be fixed and ---its a matter of figuring it out...clancey

Not really all the work that was done is junk. And it will need serious work to make it useable

 

[clancey]

That's so sad..clancey...Could they start over from square one and what would they have to do? Would he have to tear it all out and its a gas one as well--dangerous--where would he begin--shutting off the gas line or something and then getting somebody to tear it out and keep what they can---Where would they start? clancey

 

[ThePete]

I figured as much. What do y’all recommend? What are the most glaring problems I need to make sure the next person would fix?

Technically it works, but I’m concerned about the safety aspects of course. Is this as bad as like, ‘absolutely don’t use anymore?’

 

[bholler]

I figured as much. What do y’all recommend? What are the most glaring problems I need to make sure the next person would fix?

Technically it works, but I’m concerned about the safety aspects of course. Is this as bad as like, ‘absolutely don’t use anymore?’

You have combustibles in the smoke chamber that is the worst part. They will need to be cut back and have 8" of solid masonry between it and the inside of the smoke chamber. A properly sized liner needs to be installed and a proper smoke chamber built. That is just what I can see at a glance

 

[peakbagger]

Worth a note with pictures to the state fire marshall.