- Nov 27, 2012
- 0
Question:
We have a 26 year old fireplace. The outside brick has begun to crumble. We have been told they could not match the existing brick on the house with new brick... suggestions on how to fix the outside brick to make it safe and look ok? We have capped off the top because the inside of the stack is not in very good shape either- the flue has remained closed. The inside where the fire would be is pretty sound except the back wall- some of the decay from the outside has caused the bricks to be loose. We would like to put gas logs in it- we can vent them thru a little door in the bottom of the fireplace that goes outside. Is there a way to re-coat the inside of the fireplace so that it would be safe to have gas logs? We want to be able to use it if possible. The hearth and front of the fireplace is beautiful- we would like to keep it as it is. Any help would be wonderful.
Answer:
Thanks! I'm not experienced in masonry- so can't help you with the outside brick...of course- one option is to stucco the outside of the fireplace..this provides good strength and bonds the outside together...There are some "brick face" companies that can stucco the chimney and then make the stucco look like brick ! You can't vent gas thru a little hole in the hearth. Two choices.
1. Vented logs--theses need to be vented up the existing chimney..it need to be in at least 1/2 decent shape.
2. Unvented logs...These need no chimney at all ...so they would be able to be used with the chimney damper closed off.
<P>Note: Due to certain standards you cannot use unvented logs in fireplaces that have had their chimneys sealed shut!
<p>
As far as the inside of the firebox- you can get refractory mortar and patch any faults in the mortar joints...a Fireback can also be used to protect the fireplace against more damage from heat..see the hearth heaven section on my site for pictures of some nice firebacks.
We have a 26 year old fireplace. The outside brick has begun to crumble. We have been told they could not match the existing brick on the house with new brick... suggestions on how to fix the outside brick to make it safe and look ok? We have capped off the top because the inside of the stack is not in very good shape either- the flue has remained closed. The inside where the fire would be is pretty sound except the back wall- some of the decay from the outside has caused the bricks to be loose. We would like to put gas logs in it- we can vent them thru a little door in the bottom of the fireplace that goes outside. Is there a way to re-coat the inside of the fireplace so that it would be safe to have gas logs? We want to be able to use it if possible. The hearth and front of the fireplace is beautiful- we would like to keep it as it is. Any help would be wonderful.
Answer:
Thanks! I'm not experienced in masonry- so can't help you with the outside brick...of course- one option is to stucco the outside of the fireplace..this provides good strength and bonds the outside together...There are some "brick face" companies that can stucco the chimney and then make the stucco look like brick ! You can't vent gas thru a little hole in the hearth. Two choices.
1. Vented logs--theses need to be vented up the existing chimney..it need to be in at least 1/2 decent shape.
2. Unvented logs...These need no chimney at all ...so they would be able to be used with the chimney damper closed off.
<P>Note: Due to certain standards you cannot use unvented logs in fireplaces that have had their chimneys sealed shut!
<p>
As far as the inside of the firebox- you can get refractory mortar and patch any faults in the mortar joints...a Fireback can also be used to protect the fireplace against more damage from heat..see the hearth heaven section on my site for pictures of some nice firebacks.
