Making Fireplaces Functional
In my building, the fireplaces were converted to gas at some point and probably not used since the early 20th century. The gas lines are still in the fireplace and the valve knobs are still along side. Basically I have the rudimentary equipment but what should one expect for checking/replacing the pipes, relining the flue,…
In my building, the fireplaces were converted to gas at some point and probably not used since the early 20th century. The gas lines are still in the fireplace and the valve knobs are still along side. Basically I have the rudimentary equipment but what should one expect for checking/replacing the pipes, relining the flue, and all things building code. Has anyone done this successfully?
–Andrew in Clinton Hill
I just rebuilt the flues of three fireplaces in my townhouse in Brooklyn Heights. Cost $5000 per flue, which included the rebuilding of the firebox in each fireplace. I used terra cotta flues and not stainless steel. Perhaps that would be cheaper, but I don’t know if they permitted by code. You have to check on that. Note: the $5000 included the repair of the wall above each of the three mantels that had to be demolished in order to rebuild the flues.
I now have seven working fireplaces in my house. One fireplace is not open because the boiler uses that flue.