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…
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!
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
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.
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).
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
I personally wouldn’t move my plumbing to the outside of the house.