Chimney & Fireplaces/Gas Ignitor Problems

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/7/2007


Question
Hi, Bart. We live in a 25-30 year old house with a raised hearth brick fireplace (wood burning). There's a gas ignitor which I guess is right inside the hearth - all that shows in the fireplace itself is a 4" wide funnel-looking thing that is level with the brickwork. Anyway, over the last few years the mortar between some of the bricks in the burning area is apparently coming loose, and gas fumes seep out of the cracks and then ignite, so there've been several little ribbons of flame in the firebox area - until this past week, when one opened up in front of the glass doors. Needless to say I shut the gas valve off, but don't know where to start for a repair, since I don't know what's under the bricks. Do I need a plumber to fix a gas line that's maybe come loose, or a brick person to replace the mortar? Do you have a picture or drawing of what this thing might look like on the inside (assuming my description makes any sense, of course)? I'd be most grateful for your help...

Answer
Hi Larry,

First of all, don't use the fireplace any more until this is repaired.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

You'll also probably end up needing a plumber as well, but see what the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep has to say first.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

Chimney & Fireplaces

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.