How to open up a blocked fireplace?
Using a hammer and chisel, begin to break away the plaster covering the fireplace opening. Use the hearth or air vent as a guide for where this should be. In most cases, removing the top layer of plaster from the wall should reveal the shape of the original opening.
If you have a small open fire and want to enlarge your fireplace, then there may be something else to remove in addition to the fire surround – a fireback. A fireback is normally inserted into a fireplace opening to provide a shape suitable for an open fire.
Closing off a fireplace means “sealing off the fireplace opening and or flue system to stop the flow of air to and from your home,” says Carol Ann Blaken of MCP Chimney & Masonry INC.
The cap should pull right off with a little applied force. Clean the chimney cap with a scrubbing brush to remove any debris. Proceed to inspect the inside of the chimney with a flashlight. Use your brush to clean out the top portion of the chimney, either by pushing or pulling out the debris.
Whether you want to remove your fireplace and chimney, rebuild from the ground up or put in a new install, expect it to cost: Removing a fireplace and chimney costs $4,000-$6,000.
If the fireplace has been filled in with bricks, start from the vent and slowly knock out a few at a time with a club hammer and bolster chisel. You may find it easier to remove the plaster from the area first and then chip out the bricks, one by one, once you can see where the mortar joints are.
Locate the lintel of the fireplace -- a bar made of stone that supports the foundation. Proceed to knock down bricks with a hammer to make the opening of the fireplace bigger, leaving the lintel intact. Do not remove more than a few bricks on each side.
The Average Dimensions for Each Part of a Fireplace
An opening that's between 24-36 inches wide, 24-29 inches high, and 16 inches deep. On average, the distance between the hearth and the damper is about 37 inches. The fireplace's rear firebox is generally between 11-19 inches wide, with a height of 14 inches.
If you have an existing chimney breast, then it's usually straightforward to fit an electric fireplace and then install a television above it. Think of a chimney breast as being a pre-made media wall.
A fireplace will need to be inspected by a professional to confirm whether it is a gas fireplace or a gas starter fireplace. Wood cannot be burnt in a gas fireplace but can be burnt in a gas starter fireplace.
How do you uncap a gas fireplace line?
How To Fix A Blocked Gas Fireplace - YouTube
Do Unused Chimneys Need Ventilation? Yes, chimneys need to breathe, even if they won't be used anymore. The vast majority of problems with chimneys are related to moisture, and that's the issue as regards ventilation.
When it becomes clogged, it can't properly perform this important role. Birds' nests, tree foliage, trash, and other debris can clog your home chimney, making it dangerous to use. Soot and crumbling bricks are also hazardous; if the chimney's flue is not kept clear, your home is at risk every time the heat kicks on.
How To Perform A Smoke Test - YouTube
- Oily Spots on the Walls of Your Fireplace.
- Poorly Burning Fires.
- Odors Coming from the Fireplace.
- Animals are Inside Your Chimney.
- Smoke Doesn't Rise Up the Chimney.
- Fires are Difficult to Get Started.
- Chimney Soot is Falling from the Chimney.
Restoring a fireplace ranges between $390 to $2,000. Repairing mortar or other smaller projects are often less than $100; projects involving gas lines lean closer to $2,000.
Refacing a Fireplace
Refacing is another excellent option if you're looking for a complete fireplace transformation. On average, switching out the façade of a fireplace is around $1,100.
Return on Investment
A homeowner can often recover over 100 percent of the expenses associated with adding a fireplace upon selling their home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent.
As long as the building isn't listed you will not need planning permission to reopen the fireplace. However, if you are installing anything that has the potential to cause fire or toxic fumes it will need to comply with Building Regulations for combustion appliances.
If the work involves the provision of a new or replacement flue or flue liner, or the provision of a new or replacement hearth, fireplace or chimney you will need permission.
How do you tell if a fireplace is behind a wall?
- Research your house or get a survey done to figure out possible locations for fireplaces.
- Check how many flues are in your chimney and where they lead to.
- Knock on walls to see if you can hear a difference in sound between solid walls and a covered section.
- FIREPLACE UPDATE IDEA: paint the brass surround. ...
- FIREPLACE UPDATE IDEA: retile with peel & stick tiles. ...
- FIREPLACE UPDATE IDEA: paint the mantel & fireplace surround. ...
- FIREPLACE UPDATE IDEA: seal your stone, brick or hearth.
Brick fireplaces are a traditional staple in homes in many regions. However, the brick color can be very trendy – and therefore fall out of style often or quickly.
DIY Fireplace Makeover Part One | Updating the Woodwork - YouTube
Typically, TVs 55″ and under are ideal to keep above the fireplace. However, the viewing distance can also affect the size.
A fireplace should be 24 – 72 inches (2 – 6 feet) wide. Generally, smaller rooms require smaller fireplaces, while bigger rooms benefit more from larger ones. Getting the dimensions wrong poses the risks of a fireplace that overpowers or does not meet a room's heating demands.
To achieve the electric fireplace's visual effect at eye level from a seated position, the Floor's recommended distance should be about 40-42″ off the Floor. This is a comfortable enough distance and precisely places the flames in your line of sight from a seated position.
The short answer is – yes. However, to ensure your television isn't damaged from the heat, care must be taken to ensure heat generated by the fireplace is redirected away from television. There are several ways to do this, such as installing a proper mantel and building an alcove for the television.
Feature wall
Consider decorating your non-active chimney breast by installing a mantelpiece (if you don't already have one), putting flowers, logs, ornaments, books, bunting or even artwork in the hearth.
You can knock a hole out for cables. Make sure you have a vent fitted low down for air circulation inside the stack to avoid damp and condensation, you also need a rain guard on top of stack. There should be no problem as long as the chimney breast is not used for a flue for venting.
How do you tell if a fireplace is behind a wall?
- Research your house or get a survey done to figure out possible locations for fireplaces.
- Check how many flues are in your chimney and where they lead to.
- Knock on walls to see if you can hear a difference in sound between solid walls and a covered section.
- Cast iron inserts. If you were lucky enough to find an old cast iron fire hidden behind the plaster, you should be able to get it cleaned up. ...
- Fire baskets. Another option is to place a fire basket inside your newly reopened fireplace. ...
- Paint the fireplace. ...
- Fit a new fire surround.
