Started to remove my 1976 Preway Z/C fireplace the other day in prep for my alcove stove install. Had to share what I found when I opened up the wall.
there was a metal firestop for the furnace vent, left air intake tube, and chimney. however the intake tube for the right did not have a metal surround, it was wide open
Not only was it open but it appears that the right tube was venting smoke into the attic. that is soot on the underside of my roof! Also the left tube was not attached to the fireplace and was simply dumping cold attic air into the space. To add to all of this, that's about 10" of blown insulation sitting on top of the fireplace, there was more on the right side as well. No wonder this thing was so cold all winter. I consider my self lucky that there was not a fire and have to admit that yes I unknowingly used the fireplace like this.
there was a metal firestop for the furnace vent, left air intake tube, and chimney. however the intake tube for the right did not have a metal surround, it was wide open
Not only was it open but it appears that the right tube was venting smoke into the attic. that is soot on the underside of my roof! Also the left tube was not attached to the fireplace and was simply dumping cold attic air into the space. To add to all of this, that's about 10" of blown insulation sitting on top of the fireplace, there was more on the right side as well. No wonder this thing was so cold all winter. I consider my self lucky that there was not a fire and have to admit that yes I unknowingly used the fireplace like this.![[Hearth.com] So you want to use that old zero clearance fireplace?](/talk/data/attachments/48/48954-aa03a9043e967a205f74369c57184d4a.jpg?hash=8GIysxCq8Z)
![[Hearth.com] So you want to use that old zero clearance fireplace?](/talk/data/attachments/48/48955-836c69acb599ad8cfcbee9f86a4514c2.jpg?hash=UOGBst2CyP)
![[Hearth.com] So you want to use that old zero clearance fireplace?](/talk/data/attachments/48/48956-412df468eda55336a416f58fa0f6e8fa.jpg?hash=nNgH1q4pzi)
![[Hearth.com] So you want to use that old zero clearance fireplace?](/talk/data/attachments/48/48957-95dcdeef718f8edfb0f6c150b36b08f8.jpg?hash=mFQRI10e0E)
