Old Heatilator Question

[vderks]

We have a house build in the 50's with a basement heatolator firebox. The box itself is rusted and water is leaking through the flue. We have made sure it is not coming from the chimney. A water test shows it coming from ground water. In the meantime we have addressed the normal gutter/drainage issues. As of right now very little water gets in. The house is a stone house and the foundation in this area is stone. The fireplace is not useable nor do we even need a fireplace in that location. I am wanting to know if it is possible to just close the opening up with blocks and 'forget' there was a fireplace there? If so, who would do this type of work? Thank you, Vicki

 

[begreen]

A mason would typically do this work.

 

[vderks]

Thank you for your reply! So, this is something that is possible do have done? I suggested it to my husband and he thought I was silly.

 

[begreen]

It's one option, but it might continue to be a problem until there is absolutely no water coming through at any time. Perhaps a drain can be put in or a french drain outside?

 

[Poindexter]

I had a old heatilator. Generally, and I don't know your specific model, but in general all the chimney piping rest directly on the firebox, not weight bearing attachments at the ceiling or roof framing.

What I am saying is if you want to take it out you will probably have to take ALL of it out, all the way to the chimney cap. Probably.

However, the ones I am familiar with went in during construction, so there is a very likely a straight shot from the firebox to the roof, so you could, very likely, put in a modern chimney if you choose to and not have to use any elbows in the new pipe.

 

[Oldman47]

Be sure to find a way to drain off that water. You do not just want to dam it up behind some bricks or blocks. Water can be very destructive to a structure when it is not properly controlled.