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Chimney & Fireplaces/Questions Answered by Expert Paul Karthaeuser
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Marco firebox maual/specs | 2/27/2012 |
| Q: I have a Marco wood-burning firebox which we recently converted to use a gas log. This house was ... A: First, see if you can determine the model number or serial number from the fireplace as most anyone ... | |
| Wood Stove | 2/1/2012 |
| Q: After I make a fire in it I can't control how it burns. Once I get a good fire in it and then close ... A: Trevor, Please check the email that you sent me the pictures from as I responded to you in length ... | |
| Fire place manual | 1/31/2012 |
| Q: Do you know where I can find manuals for Warnock Hershey fire places? Very grateful for your help. A: There is no such manufacturer as Warnock-Hershey. Warnock-Hershey is a testing agency for ... | |
| Wood Stove | 1/29/2012 |
| Q: After I make a fire in it I can't control how it burns. Once I get a good fire in it and then close ... A: Trevor, I'm sorry this was not the answer to the problem. I was fairly convinced this was the ... | |
| Wood Stove | 1/29/2012 |
| Q: After I make a fire in it I can't control how it burns. Once I get a good fire in it and then close ... A: Trevor, The first thing that comes to mind based on your description of the problem is pressure ... | |
| Crack in metal front panel wood fireplace | 1/22/2012 |
| Q: Issue: In our 10 year old Regency high efficiency fireplace (not an insert) we noticed a crack in ... A: Barbara, Wow, that is surprising. Not a common occurrence, for sure. First and foremost...Stop ... | |
| preway fireplaceinsert | 1/21/2012 |
| Q: I actually have two questions I would like to ask you. 1)I still use my woodburning fireplace ... A: Bob, 1) Yes, there is the potential for a problem to occur by using the fireplace with that open ... | |
| Cutting out an old heatilator | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: I have an old metal heatilator It has never worked properly since we bought our house it is set in ... A: David, Yes, but it is very involved. In fact, only a handful of us do this type of work in the ... | |
| Automatic Door damper? | 1/16/2012 |
| Q: I presently have two wood stoves. One in a garage and one in our home. Years ago I owned a small ... A: Richard, I'm sorry but I have no experience with such a damper or device. In fact I have never ... | |
| Double wall flue pipe condensation | 1/8/2012 |
| Q: We have a one year old fireplace, in a chase on an outside wall. Outside of chase is insulated with ... A: David, Honestly, I am not convinced that is the source of your problem. Have you done or had a ... | |
| Hunter Gas Fireplace | 12/30/2011 |
| Q: I have a Hunter HF132 gas fireplace. I understand that the company is now out of business. I have ... A: Tom, I honestly don't know. I do not do a lot of gas appliances so I am not the best person to ask. ... | |
| Covering ash dump | 12/30/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1930s house with an ash dump. I no longer wish to use it, but there is a hole at the bottom ... A: David, No, for the interim until you purchase an ash dump door assembly that sounds fine. In fact, ... | |
| chase insulation | 12/21/2011 |
| Q: i have a fireplace with a pellet burning insernt . the chase iNSERT insulated.what type of ... A: A good building supply warehouse or contractor supply house should carry it or be able to obtain it ... | |
| Smell when using Fireplace | 12/20/2011 |
| Q: I have a Temco unvented gas-fire heater that was installed new when I purchased my home in 2002. ... A: Cindy, I am really at a loss to tell you what it could be without really seeing the ... | |
| Heatilator damper handle | 12/19/2011 |
| Q: I just had a wood burner removed from my fireplace and discovered I had a functioning heatilator ... A: Julia, I am assuming we are talking about a factory built fireplace? The name Heatilator gets ... | |
| Fireplace | 12/18/2011 |
| Q: You are my last hope. I cannot find a structural engineer or a fireplace expert of any kind to look ... A: Sandi, Insurance claims can be a bear! Sometimes I think the insurance companies FIRST priority is ... | |
| chase insulation | 12/17/2011 |
| Q: i have a fireplace with a pellet burning insernt . the chase iNSERT insulated.what type of ... A: Randy, I'm not sure I understand your question but any insulation used for a hearth appliance ... | |
| Creosote | 12/16/2011 |
| Q: My husband just replaced the 8 inch pipe from our woodburner. He also installed a magic heat. He ... A: Heather, There is likely a good reason the pipes did not go together the first time and the leaking ... | |
| Convert fireplace to gas burning | 12/14/2011 |
| Q: I have a Majectic MRC42 (model MJ15) fireplace. For the past 20 years I been burning wood. It does ... A: The area underneath the hearth panel or bottom refractory panel which is typically made up of steel ... | |
| double sided woodstove in the us | 12/7/2011 |
| Q: I am looking to install a double sided woodstove. I am told these types of stoves don't put out ... A: I am unaware of any such woodstove available in the U.S. I would suggest contacting the ... | |
| putting new brick in back wall | 12/3/2011 |
| Q: How do you do the brick and morter laying in back wall of fireplace? Sides are okay. Thank you A: I am not sure I understand your question. Do you mean how do you actually, physically lay the brick ... | |
| 3 sided fire place | 12/1/2011 |
| Q: i have a 3 sided masonry fireplace with metal chain around it. I cant use it. when the fire is high ... A: Please forgive the delayed response as I was away this past week and did not change my setting to ... | |
| metal firebox repair/replace | 11/27/2011 |
| Q: We have a masonry fireplace (1955) in good working order (just replaced) that has a metal firebox ... A: You said the masonry fireplace was just replaced? How rusted is rusted? Are areas perforated ... | |
| required chimney | 11/23/2011 |
| Q: Our home has a Tempco fireplace (possibly an insert) that has a metal chimney running inside a wood ... A: I think it's a very bad idea. That fireplace system was not tested and listed for such an ... | |
| Fireplace Screen or Glass Front | 11/23/2011 |
| Q: We just purchased a home that has a masonry fireplace. Home was built in the 30s. Chimney sweep has ... A: Forgive the delayed response as I forgot to change my settings before the holiday and we were away ... | |
| OLD TERRACOTA CHIMNEY REPLACING TO B-VENT | 11/23/2011 |
| Q: MY HOT WATER HEATER AND HOUSE HEATER ARE LEAKING CARBON MONOXIDE. SO PGW STOPPED GAS FLOW TO THESE ... A: Forgive my delayed response to you as I was away traveling for the holiday and forgot to change my ... | |
| chimney | 11/22/2011 |
| Q: We installed a new buck wood stove with a 6 inch pipe comming out of the top for about 18 inches ... A: Please forgive my delayed response as I was away traveling for the holiday and forgot to change my ... | |
| is it possible? | 11/21/2011 |
| Q: we live in a home where previous owners added on a family room to the opposite side of a chimney. We ... A: I apologize for the delayed response as I was traveling for the holiday and forgot to change the ... | |
| Pipe leaking AND backdraft into house...PLEAE HELP!! | 11/20/2011 |
| Q: This question is the result of shear frustration. I live in government housing and our maintenance ... A: There are just too many variables to pinpoint the source of the problem for sure from my location ... | |
| Poor Draft | 11/19/2011 |
| Q: two years ago I had a 'chimney sweep' relign the flu of my Rumsford fireplace with a stainless steel ... A: Damian, The fireplace requires anywhere from 148 square inches of cross sectional area at 1/12th or ... | |
| wood to propane fireplace | 11/19/2011 |
| Q: I want to install a propane log fireplace into an existing never used wood fireplace. It is an ... A: If you are describing a factory built wood burning fireplace then you must first determine that the ... | |
| fireplace conversion kit from wood to propane | 11/19/2011 |
| Q: I am very interested in hiring a contractor to convert a Never used fireplace into a propane ... A: Are you talking about converting a masonry fireplace or a factory built fireplace from wood to gas? ... | |
| fire going out all of the time | 11/17/2011 |
| Q: I have a large two door schrader fireplace and I can not keep a fire going in it. I also don't seem ... A: I am concerned about the venting to this fireplace. What is the chimney configuration like? Is it ... | |
| indoor barbecue | 11/14/2011 |
| Q: We have a central chimney with a separate barbecue with separate flue in kitchen. We currently use ... A: Something more substanial, better quality cooking appliance? I am sorry but I do not have a comment ... | |
| venting woodstove in my barn | 11/13/2011 |
| Q: if i have the room to vent with 2 15degree elbows 15feet and then through my sidewall and then up ... A: There just isn't enough information for me to answer your question. If you are describing a 15 foot ... | |
| fireplace remote | 11/12/2011 |
| Q: We have a pyromaster propane fireplace,model UVSH33 RP, the remote has bit the dust does anyone sell ... A: As I am not familiar with this model fireplace I would suggest the internet. You may be able to ... | |
| Zero Clearance Wood Stoves | 11/10/2011 |
| Q: Is there a comprehensive list of Zero Clearance wood stoves available and if so, where can that be ... A: Your first question, the answer is that there are likely lists of manufacturer's of factory built ... | |
| Heatilator Mark 700 Chimney Section | 11/10/2011 |
| Q: I have recently became the proud owner of 2 Mark 700 Chimney Sections CAT. NO. 913 (thank God I ... A: No, there should be no problem. Whiloe I am not familiar with those particular pieces of chimney ... | |
| How to put mantle shelf on faux stone fireplace | 11/8/2011 |
| Q: Want to hang stocking from a fireplace mantle shelf on a faux stone fireplace. But can't get ... A: Being that the fireplace you are talking about is a factory built fireplace the best answer as to ... | |
| required chimney | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: Our home has a Tempco fireplace (possibly an insert) that has a metal chimney running inside a wood ... A: I am sorry to inform you that what you are proposing is not an approved installation method and you ... | |
| Replacing 30yo fireplace insert | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: Our Vermont Castings zero clearance insert was installed about 1985 and is literally disintegrating. ... A: I see you are in New Jersey...where about- that is where my company is located so I may be able to ... | |
| What size liner | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: I have a chimney teracota I need to line it is 35' from the crown to thimble. The boiler is a ... A: I have done the calculations and based on the boiler and the water heater both being natural draft ... | |
| Fireplace | 11/4/2011 |
| Q: Fireplace working fine when fire is burning, but when it is beginning to burn low or about to burn ... A: I apologize for the delayed response. There are a variety of factors that can be contributing to ... | |
| replacement of Flue on Dura-Vent W-42 UL Listed prefab fireplace | 11/3/2011 |
| Q: I live in a 35 yr old house and recently had a tornado damage the roof and both of flues in my ... A: I apologize profusely for the delay in responding to you. We are swamped this time of year. If the ... | |
| Factory fireplace conversion to pellet insert | 11/1/2011 |
| Q: I currently have a factory fireplace or zero clearance fireplace. I would like to install a pellet ... A: The only true and correct answer is that there is not one factory built fireplace on the market now ... | |
| Superior fireplace insert | 10/31/2011 |
| Q: our home is aprox. 4 years old. we bought it a little over a year ago. It has a Superior prefab ... A: For Superior fireplace parts, components and manuals you will need to go to the Lennox website who ... | |
| Damper hinge | 10/29/2011 |
| Q: I took apart our Jotul model 3 series 8 AP lsst summer to clean it, but now 5 months later I can't ... A: I am not personally familiar with thisa appliance but if you follow this link there are many ... | |
| fireplace on patio | 10/25/2011 |
| Q: I had a reputable contractor install a fireplace for me recently based on several good referrals but ... A: It sounds as though you are describing the walls of the smoke chamber above the firebox that carry ... | |
| Wood burning stove | 10/24/2011 |
| Q: I just bought a Schrader wood burning stove and I was wondering if there supposed to be a smoke ... A: I am not fasmiliar enough with Shrader wood stoves to give you the best answer but I believe it to ... | |
| Screwing into fireplace insert wall | 10/23/2011 |
| Q: I want to hang a rather heavy painting on the drywall above the wood burning fireplace (metal ... A: I obviously can't be sure of the construction of your home however I can tell you this...Factory ... | |
| Chimney Construction | 10/22/2011 |
| Q: I am new at brick laying and am going to try to build a block chimney outside my garage for a ... A: Your footer dimensions sound fine however you need to consult the International Residential Code ... | |
| martin fireplace | 10/20/2011 |
| Q: I was given a Martin a/s/h 36 fireplace without the exhaust. I can't seem to find any parts to fit. ... A: Martin fireplace is no longer in business-for many years now so it is very unlikely. VERY unlikely ... | |
| Poor Draft | 10/20/2011 |
| Q: two years ago I had a 'chimney sweep' relign the flu of my Rumsford fireplace with a stainless steel ... A: If you give me a few dimensions and the steel liner diameter I can run the numbers for you and tell ... | |
| Inner Hearth | 10/13/2011 |
| Q: Is it OK to use granite as a base for the inner hearth? A: As long as there is sufficient masonry beneath it and/or no combustibles in the area within 14" ... | |
| Fireplace with no pilot or control units | 10/13/2011 |
| Q: I recently bought a house with superior kr-43 fireplace. I could not find the pilot light or the ... A: By all my research, this was originally a Superior fireplace that was designed for woodburning. It ... | |
| replaceing an oil furnace w/ a wood stove | 10/7/2011 |
| Q: I am writing to find out if I could replace my oil furnace with a wood stove. Currently I have an ... A: The likely answer is yes. You could remove the oil furnace and install a woodstove in its place and ... | |
| Chimney insulation | 10/3/2011 |
| Q: After tearing off the face of my old fireplace, I discovered the only thing between the FP box and ... A: I understand that you have a Superior fireplace but Lennox is the parent company nowadays for ... | |
| Chimney insulation | 10/3/2011 |
| Q: After tearing off the face of my old fireplace, I discovered the only thing between the FP box and ... A: Does this manual look like it is for your fireplace? Follow this link... ... | |
| Chimney insulation | 10/1/2011 |
| Q: After tearing off the face of my old fireplace, I discovered the only thing between the FP box and ... A: You can insulate the chase (chimney structure you describe made of plywood and 2x4 studs) a variety ... | |
| Replacing Gaslogs | 10/1/2011 |
| Q: I need to know how to tell when gaslogs need to be replaced. We have a vent-free gaslog fireplace. ... A: That is the one area I am not an expert in is gas logs and fireplaces. However I will tell you ... | |
| chimney repair | 9/29/2011 |
| Q: I have a chimney in need of repair. It is leaking predominantly on the north face. I have been told ... A: The best response is yes, remove and replace. Anything that was bandaged with caulk is/was a ... | |
| Fireplace Inserts | 9/27/2011 |
| Q: The floor piece of our fireplace insert has cracked. Can we fix it with some form of mortar or do ... A: The best solution to this problem is to replace the panel. The panels expand during heating and ... | |
| Woodburning Stove | 9/26/2011 |
| Q: I have a Silent Flame Woodburning Pedestal stove made by Long Mfg in Tarboro NC. I had the "fire ... A: Yes, you can use either single or double wall pipe. Stovepipe and connector are sometimes used ... | |
| Woodburning Stove | 9/25/2011 |
| Q: I have a Silent Flame Woodburning Pedestal stove made by Long Mfg in Tarboro NC. I had the "fire ... A: The connector is the pipe that goes from the stove to the actual chimney. Typically this is black ... | |
| cracks in my pre-fab fireplace | 9/23/2011 |
| Q: Paul, I had my pre-fab fireplace chimney cleaned the other day and the guy saw cracks in the gray ... A: I have not inspected the fireplace obviously but if the cracks are narrower than a nickel and there ... | |
| chimney repair | 9/23/2011 |
| Q: I have a chimney in need of repair. It is leaking predominantly on the north face. I have been told ... A: I am sorry for the delayed response. I have just dealt with a similar situation here with one of my ... | |
| cracks in my pre-fab fireplace | 9/22/2011 |
| Q: Paul, I had my pre-fab fireplace chimney cleaned the other day and the guy saw cracks in the gray ... A: The damaged refractory panels (gray brick looking panels)could be hazardous depending on the size ... | |
| Masonry Chimney Extension | 9/20/2011 |
| Q: Is is possible or allowable by code to extend a masonry chimney using tipple wall stainless pipes. ... A: Yes, it is possible and permissable per Code as the manufacturer of the chimney pipe specifically ... | |
| Replace Chimney Crown | 9/18/2011 |
| Q: My Chimney crown has hole in it and is falling apart, the brick around the chimney is completely ... A: I understand what you have described and I would suggest having a stainless or copper chase cover ... | |
| Chaleureux Wood Stove | 9/13/2011 |
| Q: we have a Chaleureux wood stove which we bought through Sears approx 25yrs ago. It has 2 door front ... A: I am sorry but i am not familiar with this stove or the foundry company. That is very old by ... | |
| How to turn on an outdoor fireplace | 9/11/2011 |
| Q: We just bought a house that has a gas fireplace in the backyard (made out of brick and adobe), and ... A: I am sorry for the delay in responding to you. I have found Tahoe fireplaces online but nothing ... | |
| Fireplace wall | 9/10/2011 |
| Q: Last year we had a fire that lasted for many hours during the day. The fireplace backs up to the ... A: I am sorry for the delay in answering your question. Apparently we had a glitch somewhere in the ... | |
| Corner Fireplace | 9/8/2011 |
| Q: I have a corner fireplace unit in my family room. It has a normal size front face that continues ... A: Unfortunately no. The chimney pipe you have installed is for that manufacturers fireplace ... | |
| PREWAY CHIMNEY/WOOD BURNING STOVE | 9/8/2011 |
| Q: In the early 80's, I installed an 8" Preway triple pipe chimney along with a Ben Franklin wood ... A: Honestly, I am not familiar with the Preway chimney pipe specifically so I don't know what negative ... | |
| Corner Fireplace | 9/7/2011 |
| Q: I have a corner fireplace unit in my family room. It has a normal size front face that continues ... A: This is a question that comes up very often with a not so pleasing answer. There is no factory ... | |
| re. FLUE FOR HOT WATER HEATER | 9/6/2011 |
| Q: re. FLUE FOR HOT WATER HEATER Dear Paul Karthaeuser: My hot water heater flue goes to one side of ... A: It is not likely that you can do what you are suggesting due to the fact that there is a maximum ... | |
| Leaks around Chimney | 9/1/2011 |
| Q: My son has a 40+ year old house in South Salem New York and has a problem with water entering the ... A: First off, as you are aware already, you need to determine the source of the water and the waters ... | |
| Fireplace inner foundation | 8/28/2011 |
| Q: The cement slab under my woodburning & gas fireplace looks like it is sliding down between the floor ... A: First off, I want to ensure that we are talking about a traditional masonry fireplace? The firebox ... | |
| Fireplace Repair | 8/24/2011 |
| Q: I am having a leak from the ceiing from the chimney fireplace when it rains and I have a lot of cold ... A: Jay, I have had some email issues in the last several days and I thought I did see something from ... | |
| Fireplace Repair | 8/22/2011 |
| Q: I am having a leak from the ceiing from the chimney fireplace when it rains and I have a lot of cold ... A: I am discouraged to hear that you have been given three very different answers for your problem. ... | |
| wood burning insert with cracked wall | 8/21/2011 |
| Q: The back wall of my fireplace insert cracked straight down the middle. The crack is approximately ... A: Depending on the extent of the damage some manufacturers will allow you to repair a refractory panel ... | |
| chimney repair | 8/14/2011 |
| Q: I currently have a handyman replacing the brick on my chimney. He removed the top six feet of brick, ... A: I apologize for the delayed response as I have had email issues the last few days. First off, is ... | |
| escutcheon plate | 8/14/2011 |
| Q: I need a escutcheon plate that is at least 3" in diameter for the the starter that goes into a ... A: I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you than this...Try contacting Heatilator, Regency or ... | |
| Converting from a gas to wood burning fireplace. | 7/31/2011 |
| Q: I am considering buying a cabin that has a gas fireplace. I would like to convert it to a wood ... A: Is it truly a gas fireplace or is it a masonry fireplace with a gas log set installed in it? Next, ... | |
| Wood fireplace doors | 7/30/2011 |
| Q: We just moved to a house that has a wood fireplace the doors on it needs to be replaced where should ... A: First start with the manufactuer and model number. Go to their website. 8 Yrs. old is not that old ... | |
| stone grill | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: I'm told to line it with firebrick. bottom and sides. Two things: It may have been one of your ... A: I'm kind of unsure of what exactly you are constructing- I realize it says stone grill but it's ... | |
| Wood fireplace doors | 7/25/2011 |
| Q: We just moved to a house that has a wood fireplace the doors on it needs to be replaced where should ... A: First off, are we talking about a masonry fireplace or a factory built fireplace system? If it is a ... | |
Chimney & Fireplaces
Answers by Expert:
Paul Karthaeuser
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am a Chimney/State Licensed Building Inspector and New Jersey State Superior Court Recognized Expert Witness in the chimney, hearth and venting categories. I hold certifications in sweeping chimneys, installing wood and pellet stoves, chimney inspections and have performed countless repairs and rebuilds of chimneys. I perform many inspections for real estate transactions, school systems and churches as well as residential chimney inspections and repairs. Experience is good, education with experience is better. Ask me anything fireplace, woodstove, chimney, pellet stove or venting related. Any questions related to a chimney, hearth appliance or venting system for residential use.
Experience
I have six years experience in the field with inspections, repairs and installations of all types of hearth appliances fired by wood, wood pellets, coal, oil and gas. Fireplaces, pellet stoves, woodstoves, inserts and factory built systems.
Organizations
International Association of Fireplace and Chimney Inspectors-Charter Member
New Jersey Chimney Sweep Guild-President (current)
New Jersey Chimney Sweep Guild Board of Directors- present and past
National Fire Protection Assc.
Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Assc.
Education/Credentials
State Licensed Building Inspector- NJ License #010429
I.A.F.C.I. Certified Professional Inspector CPI-#009
F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace and Chimney Inspector #FP-168
National Fireplace Institute-Certified Woodburning Specialist #157063
-Certified Pellet-burning Specialist #157063
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep #6587
NJ Superior Court Recognized Expert Witness- Chimney, Venting and Hearth Appliances
Past/Present Clients
Various churches, school systems and private clients represented in court matters.
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