Expert: James Ball - 10/2/2008

Question
Hello, I purchased my home with an open fireplace. The insert in the fireplace was cracked and bowed out and the damper would not shut correctly. I have removed the insert and the damper. I have inspected the chimney and liner and have found no cracks anywhere and it is remarkably clean. I have a dover would stove and want to close off the opening for the fireplace and put a hole in the brick to connect the pipe for my wood stove. Is this possible? I figured that I could us masonary cement and brick to close off the openings and I would put in a steel trap door for cleaning. Let me know what you think!

Answer
Hello Rebecca, If I understand you correctly you have removed the old stove, had the chimney inspected by a CSIA certified chimney sweep, and now want to install another wood stove but cut a hole in to the flue above the damper?
I am not a big fan of wood stoves or inserts not being lined all the way to the top, I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have, and offer their opinion on how to install this new stove.
when you install a wood stove like this you would need a terracota thimble cemented to the liner.
hope this helped
James Ball