Please help to identify my 1985 ZC fireplace

[Chris33]

Hi all! (first post)
I’d like your help to identify this zero clearance 1985 fireplace. It’s damaged, and I’d like to investigate options to repair it… but first I think I need to know what it is.
FYI the firebox is cracked, and seams between metal panels have opened.
Thanks!! Chris

 

[begreen]

Check the door frame for a manufacturer's tag. If the seams are opening up, it may not be safe to repair.

Given it's age, what shape is the chimney in?

 

[Chris33]

Thank you! I looked in the door frame and don't see anything. There is a small sheet of metal screwed to the wall just inside the door, but if it said anything it's long gone.


And FYI you can maybe see in this 2nd photo that there are vertical seams between metal plates. They're the ones that opened up. And there is a small horizontal crack too. Ideally. I'd like to have the whole "inner box" replaced - maybe with something custom fabricated. But I don't really know much about this.

 

[Chris33]

As for the chimney, it was installed at the time. I recall it being 4 foot sections that snapped together. I had it inspected a year ago, and told it was in good shape (after a cleaning). My father did clean it regularly.

And I'm sure most of you are thinking "just replace the fireplace!". I'd be OK with that, but... it's embedded in a massive stone column. And that stone is probably 3" thick, and attached to a wood frame and plywood core. (I actually built the wood structure as a teenager when my parents were building the cottage back in the 80s). It's SUPER nice stonework, and none of the masons here are comfortable to touch it, and I don't think I could sleep at night if they did.

And unfortunately we can't go through the wall behind it, because there is a second (back-to-back zero clearance fireplace) in another giant stone column. It's a different fireplace, which was MUCH less used (probably only 1% as much - it's in the bedroom).

So ideally, I'd like to keep the bedroom fireplace as is. And repair the living room fireplace without touching the stonework at all.

And if that won't work, cut it out and put something in it's place. I guess that would need to be a gas fireplace, which isn't what I want but it's the next best option probably.

I'd really welcome all thoughts on this! It's a puzzle...

Thank you, Chris

 

[begreen]

I'd say that the chances of finding repair parts will be next to zero. There is a chance of putting a rear-vented freestander in front on the hearth, connected to a new liner up the chimney, but that would depend on the lintel height.