I thought that since my favorite photographer was taking lots of photos of my project, that I would post my progress here for all to see. I am finally taking out this old fireplace to get the new stove in. This summer has absolutely flown by, and it will be time to build a fire soon so I decided I better get on with the job. It was a zero clearance fireplace that had been converted to gas logs. They did not work, and I planned to take it all out and replace with a wood stove anyhow. We both thought the tile was unattractive, and wanted a stove to do most of the heating in our house. The room it will be installed in has lots of windows and was the coolest room in the house, so it is the perfect spot for it.
Here is a before pic:
The fire box was a bit difficult to get out. The flue pipe refused to separate from it, so it took some beating to get it in apart....
But I won! After working with that box, I can say I am glad I no longer have it in there. Even in the photo it is visibly bent up from my abuse. It does not seem substantial enough to safely contain a fire to me. It was really flimsy and weak.
Then onto the task of taking the framed insert down. Notice how the slackers who built the place decided that 2 insulation batts were sufficient?
Santa??? Nope... More like the grinch!! Next was up on the roof to remove the roof top bird bath that was covering my chimeny chase. This POS was rediculous. The birds thought they had Trump towers up there or something. That cover was so sunk in it was totally rusted and it was funneling water right into the chase. That accounts for the water damage and rot I had seen below. This junk should not be allowed on houses. It was a really thin gauge sheet metal that would sag under it's own weight, so it was probabally leaking about 3 days after it was placed there.... I am building one out of steel that an Elephant could stand on. The birds will be disappointed, but they will get over it.
Out comes the old pipe...
Since I was making a cover anyhow, and since my pipe hadn't been delivered as promised, I decided to go ahead and make a ladder that I will install permenantly on the chase. The mostly completed cover is visible in the corner behind me, waiting for the few final modifications to be done when the pipes exit location is determined.
She does like taking photos... Must be nice to be able to watch me work so hard so she will be warm and toasty this winter!
Just kidding! She is elbow to elbow with me most times assisting however she can. I decided that I did not want to have to haul a ladder up onto the roof everytime I needed to clean or inspect the chimney like the one I was using in the above photos. It seemed like it would be lots easier and way safer to use a ladder that was permenantly mounted, and therefore could not slip or fall while I am working on it. The end of the house where the chase is located is about 40 feet to the ground, so if you fell most likely it would be game over. I also will be making a safety ring which will be welded on the cover to hook a fall harness or lanyard to while I am up there on top of the chase. Nobody ever planned on falling off of a roof! I will get all of these parts powdercoated by my friend before I install them. They should last a really long time with the protection the powder offers. If I painted them, it would only be a matter of time before I would be up there sanding the rust off and painting again. I dont like doing things twice!
That's all for tonight, but I got my pipe delivery today and got my ladder installed also, so more updates soon
Here is a before pic:
The fire box was a bit difficult to get out. The flue pipe refused to separate from it, so it took some beating to get it in apart....
But I won! After working with that box, I can say I am glad I no longer have it in there. Even in the photo it is visibly bent up from my abuse. It does not seem substantial enough to safely contain a fire to me. It was really flimsy and weak.
Then onto the task of taking the framed insert down. Notice how the slackers who built the place decided that 2 insulation batts were sufficient?
Santa??? Nope... More like the grinch!! Next was up on the roof to remove the roof top bird bath that was covering my chimeny chase. This POS was rediculous. The birds thought they had Trump towers up there or something. That cover was so sunk in it was totally rusted and it was funneling water right into the chase. That accounts for the water damage and rot I had seen below. This junk should not be allowed on houses. It was a really thin gauge sheet metal that would sag under it's own weight, so it was probabally leaking about 3 days after it was placed there.... I am building one out of steel that an Elephant could stand on. The birds will be disappointed, but they will get over it.
Out comes the old pipe...
Since I was making a cover anyhow, and since my pipe hadn't been delivered as promised, I decided to go ahead and make a ladder that I will install permenantly on the chase. The mostly completed cover is visible in the corner behind me, waiting for the few final modifications to be done when the pipes exit location is determined.
She does like taking photos... Must be nice to be able to watch me work so hard so she will be warm and toasty this winter!
Just kidding! She is elbow to elbow with me most times assisting however she can. I decided that I did not want to have to haul a ladder up onto the roof everytime I needed to clean or inspect the chimney like the one I was using in the above photos. It seemed like it would be lots easier and way safer to use a ladder that was permenantly mounted, and therefore could not slip or fall while I am working on it. The end of the house where the chase is located is about 40 feet to the ground, so if you fell most likely it would be game over. I also will be making a safety ring which will be welded on the cover to hook a fall harness or lanyard to while I am up there on top of the chase. Nobody ever planned on falling off of a roof! I will get all of these parts powdercoated by my friend before I install them. They should last a really long time with the protection the powder offers. If I painted them, it would only be a matter of time before I would be up there sanding the rust off and painting again. I dont like doing things twice!
That's all for tonight, but I got my pipe delivery today and got my ladder installed also, so more updates soon