Expert: James Ball - 2/22/2009

Question
We bought an old farm house that has an old stone fireplace.  When it rains hard it leaks on on side.  It has not been used for awhile and is just an old fireplace..no front,.  We are wanting to put an insert in to use it to heat 1st floor living room and kitchen.  Can we remoter the outside and install an insert?  Roof is new and cap looks good.  Large gaps in flat stones.

Answer
Hello Carla, with out seeing it and from what you describe I can not tell if this fireplace is safe or if you can use an insert in it. 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.
James