Expert: James Ball - 11/1/2009

Question
Jim.  Previous owner of my home (built in late 1970's, removed a firewall brick from the back wall of firebox and broke through cinderblock in garage to create either a way to dispose of ashes through garage and/or to create a source of air draw other than the interior room. The passage is lined with metal and cemented. There is a removable, fitted metal screen in firebox.  The metal enclosed passage way slopes downward to a metal cinder box in the garage.  Is this a workable design or should firebox be returned to original structure?

Answer
Hello Al, not sure what they did to your fieplace, 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 they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James