Replacing Destroyed Thulman Unit

[Stogiesaurus]

Hi All,

I've been enjoying the forum for a while now and finally decided to ask for help on my own fireplace. The previous owner cut the top out of the Thulman L36 "insert" to put a 'T' on the pipe and put a stove in front of the hearth. The hearth is on an outside wall that has now been enclosed by a garage and is stucco over concrete block. The stone around the inset is about 6' thick.

I'd like to replace the insert with an efficient unit that can be opened up to enjoy the fire and more importantly closed to heat the house. It would also be a plus if the heat output can be regulated. My house is 1900 sqft and heated with propane so it gets a bit expensive when you have a winter like this one.

I'm trying to decide whether I should open up the hearth or go through the outside wall to replace the unit. I think I found the stones that were pulled out where the pipe is stick out through the hearth. Any input on pros and cons would be appreciated.

Choosing the replacement unit is the most important consideration in my mind. I don't know anything about how they are installed and whether that may factor in on installing from the front or the back.

Thanks in advance for your input,
Larry

 

[Jags]

Is that second picture a ceiling support box??

 

[Kosmik]

More pics with descriptions/dimensions.
Flue size?
Budget?
Is chimney already lined or just tube shoved up in there.

More info please.

Also...What sort of work are you willing to do? Skilled at?
If you feel comfortable with it, could probably open that fireplace up for a big insert or free standing stove.
But since your garage is in the back you could get something that loads from there, less mess.

Broad question with a lot of different answers.

 

[Stogiesaurus]

Is that second picture a ceiling support box??

That would be my guess since the top was cut out of the insert to get to the chimney pipe and install the 'T'. I know that contraption is holding up the flue pipe (not sure if that's the right term).
This is another picture of the bottom of the flue. The steel Plate header holding up the stone is at the top of the picture and is 3/8" thick by 6" wide. You can see the block wall in the background.

Another view of the flue showing the block wall, wooden structure behind the stone and the ripped up insert. This is a two story house and I believe the 2 bys are part of the upstairs flooring. The upstairs chase is 31" square so that probably leaves over 2 feet of clear space inside.

 

[Jags]

Oh my! Have you thought about inviting a pro over to look at this? You have a lot going on.

 

[mellow]

Wow, that is one hacked up ZC fireplace. You need to rip it out and start over with a proper EPA ZC fireplace.

You can get an idea of some of the ZC fireplaces you could replace it with here: http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Fireplace-Accessories/High-Efficiency-Wood-Burning-Fireplaces

 

[Stogiesaurus]

More pics with descriptions/dimensions.
Flue size?
Budget?
Is chimney already lined or just tube shoved up in there.

More info please.

Also...What sort of work are you willing to do? Skilled at?
If you feel comfortable with it, could probably open that fireplace up for a big insert or free standing stove.
But since your garage is in the back you could get something that loads from there, less mess.

Broad question with a lot of different answers.

I can't get inside the insert right now (it's freezing outside and I'd be opening up a 2' x 2' chimney to the attic) but the piece that the stove was connected to is just under 8". Looking into it the vertical portion is about the same size. The dimensions are as follows.

Stone Opening: 36 W x 24"H
Base: 8'-8" W x 13"H x 48" D
Upper: 70" W x 32" D up to the ceiling

What other dimensions do you need?

Budget is a hard target. I want to do it for as little as possible of course but $2000 is doable, maybe even $3000. I am very handy. I have a degree in Electronics Engineering and am licensed. I've done bathroom, kitchen, and other remodeling projects. I'm planning to purchase a welder and torch soon and took 4 years of metal fab in high school. That was a long time ago though.

The chimney is steel flue/chimney pipe up a roughly 2' chase. I don't know if it's single of double wall. I believe I need to stay with that type of chimney.

I'm open to suggestions on just about any type of unit. I would like to keep the look about the same, preserving the stone hearth which probably rules out a stove. It would probably be easier to go in through the front. A lot of the stones around the stove connection have brown calk in the joints. You can see it on the bottom right of the last picture. I've never done any masonry but can probably figure it out. I will be seeking out a professional for assistance. I think I want to get someone to consult at the beginning after I decide on which unit I want to install and along the way to make sure I don't make a hard to correct error.

ETA: I have the pipe stuffed and taped over but opened it up to take the photo.

 

[Kosmik]

A lot of the stones around the stove connection have brown calk in the joints. You can see it on the bottom right of the last picture.

With descriptions I mean't captions under the pics, makes it easier when you tell people what they are looking at.

No guaranty it was done with correct materials in the first place. Most caulks aren't good beyond 500-700...Then the cements will be higher...But as was said before there is a lot going on.

All I see is a lot of work. May be worth it to have a professional come in look it over.

Easiest may be to pull out the old one and find a ZC the size you need, but then you are hoping it (flue, ect) was installed right the first time. And lack of heat with the ZC unit may be the reason the previous owner put in the freestanding stove.

 

[tcassavaugh]

while I love a fireplace, i'm not much of one to want one for heat. I know many here have efficient inserts and i'm not knocking them....personal feeling is that you get more from the stove and i think its probably a lot less hassle when it comes to cleaning. why not get rid of the fireplace altogether and make a nice centerpiece for a wood stove with your remodeling skills. get a nice stove with a glass front or one that has an optional screen if you want to hear the roaring fire and build around where you want it to be. jmho.....good luck.