Fireplace Insert

1533 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by CMB00, Feb 12, 2013

CMB00

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2013

Hi guys, so I'm doing a complete renovation on my new home and its finally time to start working on the fireplace.

Apparently the vent fan in the firebox insert has "never worked" according to the previous owner. I have checked the power line and it has power but I'm guessing the motor is just dead?

How difficult is it to replace the insert? I had someone tell me that it might not be possible since it is not a masonry chimney and would require the chimney to be demolished and rebuilt.

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danpik

· #2 · Feb 9, 2013

So, you want to replace the whoe fireplace because the blower does not work? Or is the original plan to replace the fireplace anyway. If the issue is just the blower motor, they can be purchased at almost any heating supply house. Grainger sells them as well. Did one not too long ago and the motor was about $75.00

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Daniel Holzman

· #3 · Feb 9, 2013

You did not indicate where you live. In my town, and in many locations, installation of a fireplace insert or wood stove requires very careful attention to the chimney. When I put my wood burning insert in, code required that I have a stainless steel insert inside my flue lined brick chimney. If I had not had a brick chimney, I believe my installation would have required double or possibly triple walled stainless steel pipe.

You need to check with your local building inspector, they will tell you the rules. As a note, I do a lot of DIY, but not the stainless chimney, requires you to get on the roof, push the liner through and connect, not something I cared to deal with.

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jagans

· #4 · Feb 9, 2013

From the looks of what you have there, I would rip all of that out and start over. It looks like an accident looking for a place to happen. I would never never never have wood frame construction that close to and above a heating appliance. Use metal studs when you re-build.

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CMB00

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 10, 2013

danpik said:
So, you want to replace the whoe fireplace because the blower does not work? Or is the original plan to replace the fireplace anyway. If the issue is just the blower motor, they can be purchased at almost any heating supply house. Grainger sells them as well. Did one not too long ago and the motor was about $75.00

I would like to avoid replacing the entire unit. Are these motors pretty much universal or will i need to find out what model of insert i have?

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CMB00

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 10, 2013

Daniel Holzman said:
You did not indicate where you live. In my town, and in many locations, installation of a fireplace insert or wood stove requires very careful attention to the chimney. When I put my wood burning insert in, code required that I have a stainless steel insert inside my flue lined brick chimney. If I had not had a brick chimney, I believe my installation would have required double or possibly triple walled stainless steel pipe.

You need to check with your local building inspector, they will tell you the rules. As a note, I do a lot of DIY, but not the stainless chimney, requires you to get on the roof, push the liner through and connect, not something I cared to deal with.

I live in Northern Virginia, the chimney construction is fine. Just had most of it rebuilt and had it inspected. I just want to find out how to get the blower working again before I do anything else.

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joecaption

· #7 · Feb 10, 2013

Going to have to pull the motor out to read the tag on it.

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tylernt

· #8 · Feb 11, 2013

joecaption said:
Going to have to pull the motor out to read the tag on it.

While you're at it, check the model number of the fireplace insert itself to make sure it's a "zero clearance" to combustibles model. The wood framing still worries me...