Expert: Bart Ogden - 10/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: I recently was told that my firebox or smoke chamber is rotting out and has two big holes in it.  He stated that it could be patched up but that it wasn't 100% safe. He said it could be fixed with furnace cement but that I should consider putting in an insert or gas logs. I would like to keep it as a regular fireplace. What do you think is the best solution? He said replacing the whole firebox is very costly and that bricks would have to be removed. How big of a job is it?  and can the fireplace be salvaged? I don't want to patch it up if it dangerous. Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Roxanne,

I wouldn't trust anything this uneducated person had to say.

You don't use furnace cement to fix a fireplace.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A . Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice  316-265-9828
Fax  316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com
CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for you prompt reply.  He was a certified chimney sweep. Is it a big job to replace the whole firebox?  The outer part of the fireplace is brick.  What material could we patch up a hole with?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Roxanne,

Yes, it's a big job to replace the firebox.  

You can use Chamber Tech 2000 mix for most patching of larger holes.

It's hard to believe that a certified sweep would give you that advice (furnace cement).

Please drop me a private email at bart@homesafeks.com.

Sincerely,
A . Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice  316-265-9828
Fax  316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member