how to properly abandon a fireplace

You can also support the campfire and covered with wallpaper. Also remember to clean any ashes in and around the fireplace. Center it between the side edges of the drywall, with the bottom edge of the vent cover positioned about 6 inches from the bottom edge of the drywall. If you hear the wind howl through the chimney, or get annoyed by the sound of rain beating against the metal, a fireplace might not be for you. There is usually a valve located just before the meter that must be opened and closed with a wrench. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Cut two 2-by-4 boards to match that measurement. A fireplace insert is made to sit inside of a traditional masonry fireplace in order to help it heat more efficiently. Then, spray the fire thoroughly with a spray bottle filled with water, which will produce less steam than pouring a bucket of water on the fire. Measure the distance between the top of the boards and the top edge of the fireplace opening. Step 4 Wait until the next morning -- or at least several hours -- before removing the ashes from the fireplaces. Having a 1- 2 inch ash bed in your fireplace hearth will help insulate the fireplace and create hotter fires. In this case, call the gas company and have them turn off your gas for you. There are also steps you should take when not using the fireplace to prevent warm air from rushing up the chimney. Allow the primer to dry. Often, an abandoned house has some weak roof … Do a metal cover on the top that covers the crown so the rain rolls off and at the bottom put a Chimney Balloon down by the firebox. The ceiling above the fireplace is slanted - not coming to a point but just a slant going right and upward to an open balcony. Reply. You can paint in a contrasting color to add a touch of color to the decor. Sep 22, 2013 - Explore Dawn Solomon's board "abandoned fireplace", followed by 887 people on Pinterest. Finish the job by screwing a brass cap onto your gas line so you can turn your gas back on and it won't leak out of the line. Scoop up the cooled ashes and place them in a metal ash container. The opening needs to be then sealed with a piece of metal, and additional sound insulation can be a… Push or pull the insert so that it slides across the floor as you remove it from your house. Often, an abandoned house wouldn’t be in too bad shape if it were not for the roof. Wear safety goggles when sawing the boards. The home does not necessarily have the same color with the walls. Nail the boards together by driving two nails into each corner of the frame. How to Light a Fireplace: The “Log Cabin” Method. How much does it cost to remove a fireplace insert? Normally, there is a roof-like structure attached with the cap that disallows any rain from entering it. Once the roof is weakened, then the house ends up in a pretty bad state of repair due to exposure to the elements. If you get the roof sorted out then you can get to work gutting the interior and keeping the repairs from getting ruined as you work. Fireplaces do more than just warm a den. Another way to spruce up your brick fireplace is by painting it. It’s important to fully put out a fire in your fireplace so it doesn’t reignite after you’ve left the room. Once you've taken out the fireplace surround, you might find there's a fireback. These will have been used to screw the surround to the bricks of the chimney breast and then covered over with plaster. Eliminating creosote buildup (oily soot) from the inside of the chimney will keep you from suffering a chimney fire, which is a terrible … That looks really good. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,477 times. Checking for cracks once per year will ensure that you don't have fire escaping the chimney and lighting the frame of your home. … How do you remove a gas fireplace insert? Place the drywall into place against the wooden framing. While starting a fire is pretty straightforward, the cleanup is a major step in fire safety. To ensure it protects the floor, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Place two thin logs with no bark parallel to the back of the fireplace, about six inches apart from one another. He has been published on various websites. Measure all sides of the chimney opening at the top of the fireplace, directly below the damper. If you're planning on discarding the insert, you can also remove pieces by breaking them off with your hammer or prying them apart with your crowbar. Many homes have a bellows among the fireplace accessories. Some homes, especially older ones, do not have a house-side valve. Gas fireplaces are safe to burn wood in like a standard fireplace, so a Duraflame log is perfectly fine to burn in your gas fireplace. However, you may only need to have a partial removal in order to have the fireplace insert taken out. Start by shutting off the gas to your home at the main valve so there's no chance of a leak. This allows the drywall to fit flush against the front of the fireplace. Pry the insert free with a crowbar, then slide it onto a piece of carpet so you can easily move it across your floor. Add in a … Wear safety goggles when sawing the boards. You won’t want this getting on any of your belongings. Since the gas should already be turned off, there's no need to cap the gas line until after you have removed the insert. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Close the fireplace damper completely. The chimney must be vented in order to prevent moisture from building up inside. Using a wood-burning fireplace requires proper wood selection and a working knowledge of how to operate your chimney damper. While the idea of a fireplace is romantic, it might be a nuisance in practice. You can even use your gas to help the fire get started for a few minutes, then turn it off and let the wood burn on its own, adding more wood to the fire as needed to keep it going. % of people told us that this article helped them. This cover is easily removable when it comes time to sell your home. Allow each coat of paint to dry before continuing. Light is another top item on many home buyers’ wish lists, so trading the fireplace for a beautiful window could be smart. Hire the services of professional fireplace cleaners to clean it well. Most wood-burning fireplace inserts are heavy and are secured to the enclosure with screws or bolts. Be sure that your chimney and fireplace is properly cleaned and maintained. Teflon tape is usually yellow, as opposed to basic plumber’s tape, which is white. You need to reveal the lugs before you can remove the surround, which means that you will need to chip away a thin strip of plaster all the way around the fireplace … A fire provides soothing stimulation to four of the five senses. -Caitlin. Fireplaces have the capability of being a strong and vibrant focal point within a space. Try to keep the insert upright so it doesn’t spill coal and ash everywhere. In fact, firewood (which should be properly dried before use) is placed atop the kindling and tinder, to assist in a long-lasting burn. caitlin says. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. That would not be good. Wait a few minutes to ensure that the fire has indeed gone out and will not reignite. This can potentially be a major issue, as the cost to remove mold and properly install new drainage and waterproofing in a very old structure sometimes is not economically feasible. Choose simple designs that not everything works with each other. Christine … If you have a wood burning fireplace or stove in your house, you’ve probably been there: You think you’ve started the perfect fire only to turn back to the fire a few minutes later and find that it has completely flamed out. YAY! Another important fireplace basic is the significance of depositing ashes safely. The insert may be considerably larger than it appears at first, since it is hidden behind this framing. The fireplace that we installed in our guest bedroom is open under the hood but, so that the chimney breast still has enough air flow to stop any condensation. Closing off the opening of the firebox is solves this issue and doesn't require having any major work done to your home. It also can help you decrease your heating bill, but only if you use your fireplace properly. 20/09/2013 at 06:37 . 3 Stack the two boards … If you have a fireplace that has a gas pipe to supplement your wood burning, turn on the gas and light the pilot light without any wood in the fireplace. Never bend or twist while you're lifting heavy objects, and lift using your legs to prevent a serious back injury. While wood-burning fireplaces mean warmth and coziness, a misstep can fill the room with smoke—or spark a house fire. Now you have a rectangular brick opening that should be ready for your new gas or electric fire, the hearth and fireplace surround. Can you burn Duraflame logs in a gas fireplace? Here's how to use a fireplace safely. Your flue will warm up in a matter of minutes. Maintain the natural curve of your back and try not to twist your torso to avoid injuring your back. Place a vent cover onto the drywall. Remove any rubble. 4. Remember that whatever you use beneath the fireplace insert is likely to get stained or torn. Place pieces of artwork and accents (decorative vases) within the fireplace or even a floral arrangement that matches the season. Although this is a job best done by professionals, especially if you have a gas insert, it is possible to remove your fireplace insert yourself. Smooth the joint compound with the putty knife and allow it to dry. The masonry should be suitable brick, medium weight blocks or stone and mortar jointed. I would do it the exact opposite. Feel free to fill it with something other than logs, too. Even if it’s an old fireplace you’ve never used, it’s a smart idea to give it a good cleaning to get rid of any lasting grime. Then, carefully wiggle the insert out of the fireplace and remove it. That roof structure has to be removed, as well as the pipe it is connected to. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. If there is any flashing nailed to the framing, remove the nails holding the insert in place, then disassemble as many parts of the insert as possible, including any pipes or vents which you … Position it so the front edge of the frame is a 1/2 inch back from the front edge of the fireplace. Lead with that statement when going about designing or decorating your unused fireplace. Most fireplace inserts are simply “pushed” (shoved is more like it) into the opening of a fireplace (we refer to these as “slammed in” or “slammers”) and they are very dangerous! Enjoy winter evenings and get the most out of your fireplace … The room is long and narrow and the fireplace is on the narrow end (16ft). Choose a piece of carpet that's at least 5 foot (1.5 m) longer and wider than the insert. Like Lessismore mentioned above, I am also very attracted to the soft white painted brick but have concerns it is a trendy thing and … How to Block Off a Fireplace. Some people use sand as a layering agent, but sand can create a mess in a fireplace. Cx PS. Place the four cut boards together to form a rectangular frame that fits inside the edges of the opening. First, you should begin by choosing the right fuel. To remove a wood-burning or electrical fireplace insert, first remove all of the trim from around the fireplace, including any brick, rockwork, or drywall that is covering the insert. The wall of the room on the left is all windows. A wood-burning fireplace insert must be removed when your fireplace and chimney enclosure need cleaning. References. For tips on disassembling a gas insert, read on! The top edge of the drywall will extend past the top of the frame to fill in an arched fireplace. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. To put a fire out, first, spread the firewood and embers with a fire poker so they cool more quickly. If you don't have an old scrap of carpet handy, try piling up some old pillows or thick blankets on the floor. Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in a cloud of ash and soot when you remove the insert. Research source Cut out the hole for the vent with a drywall saw. Last Updated: March 12, 2020 Alternatively, you can pour … It's easier than removing a gas insert because it's not necessary to remove or disconnect gas lines. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Use fireplace vents properly to aid in starting a fire and keep it burning longer. Wood needs … Be sure to burn hard woods, such as hickory, ash, oak and hard maple. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Painting the fireplace closure black mimics an empty firebox, making the closure less noticeable when placed behind a decorative fireplace screen. Carson Barrett began writing professionally in 2009. If your fireplace is on a second floor, you’ll probably need the help of professional movers to get the insert down the stairs. Apply joint compound to the drywall over the drywall screws with a putty knife. Snap the board along the score line. Most fireplace surrounds will be held in place, at least partially, by metal lugs fixed around its edge. Abandoned chimneys in buildings may be unsafe, risking collapse, falling masonry, water and air leaks, fire passage, or worse, sometimes one may even be connected to a stove or fireplace, risking setting the building on fire. Remember to use your legs to bear most of the weight when you're lifting something heavy. bottle green and white … wikiHow's. When a fireplace isn't used anymore, it can become a safety hazard for young children, while driving up your energy costs by creating a draft in your home. Soft woods such as pine and spruce generally don't burn as well or provide as much heat. If there is any flashing nailed to the framing, remove the nails holding the insert in place, then disassemble as many parts of the insert as possible, including any pipes or vents which you might see. You can follow these easy steps to block off your fireplace or even to close it up completely. Drive drywall screws through the drywall and into the wood with a drill. Space the screws 18 inches apart. Apply a coat of primer to the drywall with a paintbrush. When you can access the gas line, remove it as well. Try calling around a few removal services in your area to get a quote so you can compare the costs. The “Backstory” If you have found a gas leak, close the shutoff valve again and call the gas company to help you with your repair. As a cheaper alternative, buy a large canvas print of a painting or photo at a discount store. If you’ve never built a fire in your fireplace … Wood-burning fireplaces were a standby in homes for centuries, only being phased out when heating technologies powered by electricity and oil were developed. Locate the chase cap of the fireplace, which is the pipe that lets out its smoke. It depends on how extensive the removal project is. See more ideas about abandoned, fireplace, old fireplace. A full fireplace or chimney removal can cost between $3,000-$6,000 USD. Take a crowbar and remove the trim around the insert. Put the canvas in front of the fireplace. This will be in two sections. Place the wooden frame inside the fireplace opening. Closing a chimney opening with those less durable materials leave a fire and flue gas leakage risk in the building. Cut two 2-by-4 boards to fit across the width of the fireplace with a circular saw. If you have any questions at all, call a licensed professional. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Keep in mind that whatever you use may get dirty or torn. X You can close off the fireplace by building a simple cover made from lumber and drywall that rests inside the opening of the firebox. Store it in a a safe place outside your … Here are eight signs it may be time to say goodbye to your fireplace… When an upstairs woodstove is removed the hole left in the chimney is best sealed with masonry material, not a metal cover plate, not insulation, not wood or drywall. Develop an ash bed. The location of insulation around a fireplace unit is important, and unfortunately done incorrectly most of the time. Reply. In order to provide stability, masonry chimneys should be tied to, or supported by, adjoining walls of the building. For tips on disassembling a gas insert, read on! How to Paint an Outdated Red Brick Fireplace, How to Decorate a Room With a Fireplace Focal Point, How to Install an Air Return Grille in a Sheetrock Ceiling, Google Books: Popular Mechanics Plumbing & Heating: Sealing the Opening With Drywall, How to Install Hardwood Flooring Around a Fireplace, How to Insulate a Zero-Clearance Fireplace. It can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 for the project to be completed by a professional. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch drywall to fit over the opening. Absolutely. 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways to Organize Your Home and Life. Use a bolster chisel and club hammer to remove the top half first, then the lower. There are prettier vents available than the horrible white plastic one that we used to have in the chimney breast. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Also, be sure your wood is seasoned, or dry. Trace the vent onto the drywall. Paint the drywall with two coats of paint that matches the surrounding walls or the bricks, as you prefer. The … Removing a Wood-Burning or Electrical Insert, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg\/aid9841519-v4-728px-Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"