Expert: James Ball - 2/15/2010

Question
i HAVE A 1975 ZERO CLEARANCE INSERT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOT SURE OF THE MANUFACTURER?, BUT WOULD APPRECIATE A FEW NAMES OF CO. WHO MIGHT HAVE PRODUCED THIS INSERT IN 1975. FACED WITH TEARING OUT THE ENTIRE WALL TO REPLACE INTERNAL STRUCTURE, ETC. IF I COULD FIND SOMETHING THAT MATCHED THE DIMENSIONS, I WOULD BE SO HAPPY.
THANKS,
PHIL

Answer
Hello Phil, that insert is over 30 years old and unless it is in good working order I would say remove and replace every thing top to bottom including the chimney. they only have a life of 20-30 years and you have gotten that and then some remember you are building a fire in side your home do you really want to take chances?  contact your local wood stove store and see what they have and 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