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October 27, 2009
Fireplace Advice
We are getting estimates on a putting in a wood burning fireplace for our living room and would like to see if any readers have advice on our two scenerios. We live in Ditmas Park in a 100 year old wood frame. All fireplaces were removed in the 1950's. Currently, one of the two originally flues still exists but houses our heating pipes and acts as a flue for our steam boiler. Originally the chimney had two flues only one remains. We've gotten two estimates to rebuild a fireplace and both companies suggested moving the plumbing outside the house into a stainless steel housing to free up the flue for the wood burning fireplace. My gut is telling me that I shouldn't mess with the old steam pipes for our heating. The numbers come in around 10,000 to 14,000. which includes moving the plumbing and rebuilding a fireplace. The other idea is to leave the old flue as is and poke a hole through the wall and run a new chimney, probably made of stainless steel, up the side of the house. Has anyone ever done this? The chimney guys say that it might be a red flag if we ever try and sell the house and are discouraging of the idea. I sort of don't trust their advice, since they probably would prefer the more expensive route of restoring the original chimney. I just wanted to hear the thoughts and experiences of other homeowners who aren't financially vested in our decision. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
Comments
I personally wouldn't move my plumbing to the outside of the house.
Posted by: werner at October 27, 2009 1:00 PM
Given ythe contractors' comments, I'm concerned about their qualifications. Moving the plumbing outdoors is a bad idea. Was the person who recommended this a licensed plumber? And stating that moving the flue outdoors may cause you problems at a future sale, also reflects the contractors' ignorance. If you are installing a new flue, it will have to be filed with the building department and, if approved, will be perfectly legal. Have you considered installing a new internal flue? Ed Kopel Architects, PC
Posted by: edkopel at October 27, 2009 1:12 PM
If your chimney originally housed two flues, it should still be able to do so. Would never dismantle a working system on the word of a contractor I had no experience with. Get bids from A&A and Big Apple Chimney (both advertise at right, both are reputable, one much more expensive than the other).
Posted by: vinca at October 27, 2009 1:14 PM
I suggest that you call Andre from A&A 718-953-2836 (blue ad to the right) He know's his chimneys and fireplaces and has recently done 2 jobs on Argyle Rd. Andre is a chimney man not a salesman. I'm just a satisfied customer who thinks that the good contractors should be recommended.
Posted by: yaakovdoe at October 27, 2009 1:14 PM
i think that the contractors were suggesting moving the boiler vent to the out side, using stainless steel b vent, not the steam lines...in order to free up the existing masonry chimney for a fireplace...you can also use stainless for a woodburning fireplace, but as i remember the last one that i put in required a 12 inch diameter stainless doublewall vent...check out a masonry alternative by all means
Posted by: eman1234 at October 27, 2009 6:34 PM
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