Expert: James Ball - 4/19/2010

Question
I recently bought a ranch home with a one-sided fireplace (gas starter) on the main floor (faces the living room) and another fireplace directly below it in the basement.  The fireplace on the main floor has a 12-16 inch hole in the damper/flu (caused by missing chimney caps) which will have to be fixed.  It is a masonry fireplace and since part of the fireplace has to be fixed, I was wondering if I can convert it into a double-sided ventless gas fireplace (the other side would face the kitchen).  Since it is ventless, is it possible?

Answer
Hello Caroline, I would check with your local building department and an engineer. I am not a big fan of "vent less" anything 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