how to properly abandon a fireplace

Try calling around a few removal services in your area to get a quote so you can compare the costs. Snap the board along the score line. Remember that whatever you use beneath the fireplace insert is likely to get stained or torn. To remove a wood-burning or electrical fireplace insert, first remove all of the trim from around the fireplace, including any brick, rockwork, or drywall that is covering the insert. 20/09/2013 at 06:37 . Checking for cracks once per year will ensure that you don't have fire escaping the chimney and lighting the frame of your home. caitlin says. You can purchase a brass safety cap and Teflon tape from any home improvement store. Operating a traditional wood-burning fireplace is not difficult if you follow a few simple guidelines. Place two thin logs with no bark parallel to the back of the fireplace, about six inches apart from one another. While the idea of a fireplace is romantic, it might be a nuisance in practice. You may have to use a crowbar to loosen the insert enough to be able to move it by hand. Many homes have a bellows among the fireplace accessories. Have it to resemble and reflect your style and design. This will be in two sections. Like Lessismore mentioned above, I am also very attracted to the soft white painted brick but have concerns it is a trendy thing and … Fireplaces do more than just warm a den. Stack the two boards on their broad edge along the front edge of the fireplace. Here are eight signs it may be time to say goodbye to your fireplace… Add in a … That would not be good. If you get the roof sorted out then you can get to work gutting the interior and keeping the repairs from getting ruined as you work. In this case, call the gas company and have them turn off your gas for you. % of people told us that this article helped them. You can paint in a contrasting color to add a touch of color to the decor. Apply a coat of primer to the drywall with a paintbrush. As a cheaper alternative, buy a large canvas print of a painting or photo at a discount store. You can even use your gas to help the fire get started for a few minutes, then turn it off and let the wood burn on its own, adding more wood to the fire as needed to keep it going. This can potentially be a major issue, as the cost to remove mold and properly install new drainage and waterproofing in a very old structure sometimes is not economically feasible. In fact, firewood (which should be properly dried before use) is placed atop the kindling and tinder, to assist in a long-lasting burn. For the best protection, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. By using our site, you agree to our. This cover is easily removable when it comes time to sell your home. Use a bolster chisel and club hammer to remove the top half first, then the lower. Store it in a a safe place outside your … Close the fireplace damper completely. Once the roof is weakened, then the house ends up in a pretty bad state of repair due to exposure to the elements. Cut two 2-by-4 boards to match that measurement. Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in a cloud of ash and soot when you remove the insert. You can also support the campfire and covered with wallpaper. Alternatively, you can pour … If your fireplace is on a second floor, you’ll probably need the help of professional movers to get the insert down the stairs. X Wood needs … You need to reveal the lugs before you can remove the surround, which means that you will need to chip away a thin strip of plaster all the way around the fireplace … Place the four cut boards together to form a rectangular frame that fits inside the edges of the opening. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Painting the fireplace closure black mimics an empty firebox, making the closure less noticeable when placed behind a decorative fireplace screen. Paint the drywall with two coats of paint that matches the surrounding walls or the bricks, as you prefer. A fireplace insert is made to sit inside of a traditional masonry fireplace in order to help it heat more efficiently. He has been published on various websites. Try to keep the insert upright so it doesn’t spill coal and ash everywhere. Gas fireplaces are safe to burn wood in like a standard fireplace, so a Duraflame log is perfectly fine to burn in your gas fireplace. Christine … Often, an abandoned house wouldn’t be in too bad shape if it were not for the roof. Carson Barrett began writing professionally in 2009. Sep 22, 2013 - Explore Dawn Solomon's board "abandoned fireplace", followed by 887 people on Pinterest. References. Most fireplace inserts are simply “pushed” (shoved is more like it) into the opening of a fireplace (we refer to these as “slammed in” or “slammers”) and they are very dangerous! Remove any rubble. Center it between the side edges of the drywall, with the bottom edge of the vent cover positioned about 6 inches from the bottom edge of the drywall. If your old fireplace has been blocked off ( see our opening and closing a fireplace project) ... To make sure the fire draws properly, a chimney height of 4.5m or over is usual. Allow each coat of paint to dry before continuing. Place the drywall into place against the wooden framing. [1] Reply. Cut two 2-by-4 boards to fit across the width of the fireplace with a circular saw. Whether you want to update the look of your fireplace or you need to get it up to code before you sell your house, chances are you’ll need to remove your fireplace insert. If you’ve never built a fire in your fireplace … If you decorate the fireplace in the living room, consider the traditional style, it embodies. The masonry should be suitable brick, medium weight blocks or stone and mortar jointed. Fireplaces have the capability of being a strong and vibrant focal point within a space. It's easier than removing a gas insert because it's not necessary to remove or disconnect gas lines. It depends on how extensive the removal project is. Choose simple designs that not everything works with each other. A full fireplace or chimney removal can cost between $3,000-$6,000 USD. Never bend or twist while you're lifting heavy objects, and lift using your legs to prevent a serious back injury. Absolutely. Another important fireplace basic is the significance of depositing ashes safely. The … … We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Apply joint compound to the drywall over the drywall screws with a putty knife. Locate the chase cap of the fireplace, which is the pipe that lets out its smoke. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,477 times. Measure the distance between the top of the boards and the top edge of the fireplace opening. Research source Wear safety goggles when sawing the boards. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Space the screws 18 inches apart. How to build a fire in your fireplace without smoking yourself out of your house. Step 1 Open the chimney damper before … wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Develop an ash bed. If you have any questions at all, call a licensed professional. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch drywall to fit over the opening. Use fireplace vents properly to aid in starting a fire and keep it burning longer. That roof structure has to be removed, as well as the pipe it is connected to. If you have found a gas leak, close the shutoff valve again and call the gas company to help you with your repair. Reply. Pry the insert free with a crowbar, then slide it onto a piece of carpet so you can easily move it across your floor. Now you have a rectangular brick opening that should be ready for your new gas or electric fire, the hearth and fireplace surround. You will probably need to have someone help you move the insert if you're not used to lifting heavy objects on your own. YAY! Outdated layouts. Push or pull the insert so that it slides across the floor as you remove it from your house. Love it. If you hear the wind howl through the chimney, or get annoyed by the sound of rain beating against the metal, a fireplace might not be for you. You won’t want this getting on any of your belongings. The “Backstory” If you have a wood burning fireplace or stove in your house, you’ve probably been there: You think you’ve started the perfect fire only to turn back to the fire a few minutes later and find that it has completely flamed out. This is known as a street-side valve, and should only be operated by someone from the gas company. When a fireplace isn't used anymore, it can become a safety hazard for young children, while driving up your energy costs by creating a draft in your home. Your flue will warm up in a matter of minutes. Also, be sure your wood is seasoned, or dry. How to Block Off a Fireplace. Do a metal cover on the top that covers the crown so the rain rolls off and at the bottom put a Chimney Balloon down by the firebox. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If there is any flashing nailed to the framing, remove the nails holding the insert in place, then disassemble as many parts of the insert as possible, including any pipes or vents which you … Wait a few minutes to ensure that the fire has indeed gone out and will not reignite. Can you burn Duraflame logs in a gas fireplace? There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Closing a chimney opening with those less durable materials leave a fire and flue gas leakage risk in the building. The insert may be considerably larger than it appears at first, since it is hidden behind this framing. bottle green and white … These will have been used to screw the surround to the bricks of the chimney breast and then covered over with plaster. Start by shutting off the gas to your home at the main valve so there's no chance of a leak. The opening needs to be then sealed with a piece of metal, and additional sound insulation can be a… Lead with that statement when going about designing or decorating your unused fireplace. If there is any flashing nailed to the framing, remove the nails holding the insert in place, then disassemble as many parts of the insert as possible, including any pipes or vents which you might see. The room is long and narrow and the fireplace is on the narrow end (16ft). We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Barrett is currently attending Bucks County Community College, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in sports management. Using a wood-burning fireplace requires proper wood selection and a working knowledge of how to operate your chimney damper. This article has been viewed 70,477 times. 4. wikiHow's. The chimney must be vented in order to prevent moisture from building up inside. To remove a wood-burning or electrical fireplace insert, first remove all of the trim from around the fireplace, including any brick, rockwork, or drywall that is covering the insert. It’s important to fully put out a fire in your fireplace so it doesn’t reignite after you’ve left the room. Feel free to fill it with something other than logs, too. Take a look at the condition of the … Although this is a job best done by professionals, especially if you have a gas insert, it is possible to remove your fireplace insert yourself. Once you've taken out the fireplace surround, you might find there's a fireback. Last Updated: March 12, 2020 You'll need the overlap so you'll have something to grab onto when you're moving the insert. Often, an abandoned house has some weak roof … Be sure that your chimney and fireplace is properly cleaned and maintained. A wood-burning fireplace insert must be removed when your fireplace and chimney enclosure need cleaning. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Be sure to burn hard woods, such as hickory, ash, oak and hard maple. 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