| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| fireplace shut off | 9/5/2008 |
Q: We have a fireplace shutoff that uses the key. It is installed in the wall next to the fireplace. ...
A: But most plumbers can do that for you and they will be able to look at every thing first hand and ...
|
| Adding a wood stove to a house with gas appliances | 9/4/2008 |
Q: I have a house built in 1951 with a terracotta-lined masonry chimney going up through the center of ...
A: I understand your position (I am getting a lot of questions like yours due to the high cost of ...
|
| The verdict is in | 9/4/2008 |
Q: Well, I have had a couple of more people look at my fireplace situation. The last being a very good ...
A: I would say research the insert as best you can talk to a few wood stove stoves (they usually carry ...
|
| Repairing old fireplace | 9/3/2008 |
Q: I have an old fireplace at my cabin that recently starting backing up with smoke after fifty years. ...
A: I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code) take ...
|
| wood insert | 9/3/2008 |
Q: My husband and I are buying a woodburning insert to put in the fireplace. We had a home inspection ...
A: I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org there you can look up by zip code) take ...
|
| Insert Panels | 9/2/2008 |
Q: I have a Tempco TEC36-2 wood burning insert that was built into my house new in 1986 (just set into ...
A: this being an such an old unit it might be time to replace the whole system but they do make ...
|
| Heatilator pipe | 9/1/2008 |
Q: I have just purchased 10 feet of Heatilator insulated stove pipe. I need about 6 feet more and was ...
A: I am not sure what you are asking me, so lets start with your stove, what size is the collar that is ...
|
| Heatalator fireplace | 8/31/2008 |
Q: I have a Heatalator fireplace. All of the heat goes up the chimney so I want to change. Is there ...
A: you would have to find out from both the fireplace and wood stove company if they will work ...
|
| coal stove | 8/31/2008 |
Q: I want to purchase a coal stove but my question is. can I vent it in an exhisitng mortar chimney. It ...
A: of you want to use that flue I would have it professionally installed by a Certified Chimney Sweep ...
|
| wood furnace add on | 8/29/2008 |
Q: i currently have a oil furnace in my house the chimney doesnt have a flue for the oil furnace, can i ...
A: "i currently have a oil furnace in my house the chimney doesn't have a flue for the oil furnace" a ...
|
| Insert into A Temco Zero clearance | 8/29/2008 |
Q: I'm confused.. If I am going to install a wood-burning insert into an old ( 18yr old) Temco Zero ...
A: 1st question I have is do you have the owners manual on the insert and the Tempco zero clearance? ...
|
| Water coming into Fireplace | 8/28/2008 |
Q: I have water coming down the inside of my fireplace when it rains. I believe it is coming in the ...
A: lets start with a regular cap installed properly will allow a driving rain to blow in from the ...
|
| RE: firebox inspection, etc | 8/28/2008 |
Q: Hey James, thanks so much for all of your help. Yes the company was certified but come to think of ...
A: Welcome back Val, I am not sure if the rebuild of the firebox will help with a draft(I have not seen ...
|
| woodstove in basement | 8/28/2008 |
Q: I am about to install a woodstove in my basement. I plan on using a metalbestos system. My plan is ...
A: Going through a window frame is very common, just a few things, you must maintain "clearance to ...
|
| Had the inspection | 8/27/2008 |
Q: Well, I had the inspection/cleaning done on my chimney (see previous question regarding ~43 yr old ...
A: was the company certified? (www.csia.org) and make sure the worker that does the inspection is ...
|
| Chimney liners & asbestos | 8/26/2008 |
Q: I am in the midst of having our old class a chimney stainless steel liner that was installed when ...
A: I honestly do not know if that is asbestos or not I would say try to contact the manufacture if you ...
|
| gas fireplace | 8/26/2008 |
Q: I am replacing our glass fireplace doors. We converted to gas years ago. The old one has vents on ...
A: I am not sure what you are describing so lets go over it, you want to replace the glass doors on ...
|
| Wood stove/ gas water heater venting | 8/26/2008 |
Q: I have a situation where a wood stove used to share the same brick chimney with a gas water heater. ...
A: Welcome back Mark, no you can not line just one and dump the other into the flue around it. you must ...
|
| Stone harth | 8/26/2008 |
Q: We have a stone hearth behind our propane stove, we are wanting to put a wood stove in-will the ...
A: you must follow the new wood stove's installation instruction fully. if the hearth is the same size ...
|
| Chimney inspection & cleaning | 8/25/2008 |
Q: We have just removed a wood stove from our fireplace. Our house is ~43 yr old. We have fire brick ...
A: 1st I would say to make sure the sweep that comes is Certified (www.csia.org) if the sweep that ...
|
| Fire pit on the deck/ fire | 8/24/2008 |
Q: We learned the hard way, we have a fire pit on the deck and never gave a us problem until 2006, we ...
A: I am not sure how the fire pit you have was built but you might want to re think you hole design. ...
|
| pellet stove hookup | 8/22/2008 |
Q: we have an unlined brick chimney in the center of our house we would like to hook up our pellet ...
A: first you should have the chimney re lined for the oil boiler and furnace. Second you can not mix ...
|
| Can I safely close off the ash chute in the basement | 8/16/2008 |
Q: I have a 1930's fireplace which has a chute to the basement for the ashes. I rarely clean it out - ...
A: I would say to try to leave it so you can get at it in the future (maybe a future home owner), but ...
|
| Fireplace direct vent kit | 8/14/2008 |
Q: I have a free standing woodstove in my fireplace with a direct vent kit installed. The metal panel ...
A: first thing I see is I am not ware of any "wood stove direct vent kit installed" if they/you just ...
|
| to rebuild or not | 8/11/2008 |
Q: The chimney in my 1927 Los Angeles home was damaged in an earthquake and needs to be rebuilt. We ...
A: I would say speak to your broker they will let you know in this market. you can disclose that you ...
|
| solid fuel and liners | 8/11/2008 |
Q: We live in a 1960s house which has a Wonderfire gasflame fire. Rubble falls down our chimney and ...
A: it is very hard to tell what is going on in your fireplace and why it "crumbles ever few weeks" I ...
|
| 2 way fireplace | 8/8/2008 |
Q: I enclosed a carport into a family room a few years also the brick from the fireplace is in the ...
A: if I understand you correctly you want to bust through the back wall of your fireplace to the new ...
|
| chimney placement | 8/5/2008 |
Q: I'm building a small shed with a wood stove. I would like to go through the wall with the chimney. ...
A: I assume you are building a Class "A" metal Pre-Fab chimney, if so depending on what pipe ...
|
| Leaking brick chimney | 8/4/2008 |
Q: My brick chimney, which provides the exhaust for my oil-fired heating system, leaks from the ...
A: if it is ground water then you have to get it away front he foundation with "french drains" I belive ...
|
| wood stove chimney question | 8/4/2008 |
Q: When we bought our home two years ago. In it we had an ancient rusty wood stove which we replaced. ...
A: water coming in is a very hard problem to find, I would start with covering the top of the flue ...
|
| Leaking brick chimney | 8/2/2008 |
Q: My brick chimney, which provides the exhaust for my oil-fired heating system, leaks from the ...
A: I have a few qquestions for you Bud, is the leak from rain? do you have a cap on top of the chimney? ...
|
| insert | 8/1/2008 |
Q: James, I am a former CSIA 5 year certified sweep. I have alot of hands on experience with all ...
A: you maybe able to find an insert that will work in your pre-fab, (take the manufacture and model # ...
|
| How to close a Lyemance Damper? | 7/31/2008 |
Q: I have a Lyemance original top sealing damper. How do I tell whether the damper is open or closed? I ...
A: you are correct when you pull the chain all the way down and lock it, it is closed it should "thump" ...
|
| fireplace repair | 7/27/2008 |
Q: you received very high marks on your responses. I'm considering purchasing a home that needs to ...
A: first I would get a Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org) in to take a first hand look and explain ...
|
| Old coal burning boiler chimney | 7/24/2008 |
Q: I'm a roofing contractor and we just finished a job where a mason company tore down an old chimney ...
A: it is hard to determine from what you have written here but lets try, was the chimney cleaned before ...
|
| woodstove stovepipe hook-up | 7/24/2008 |
Q: We are currently re-connecting our woodstove. In the past it was directly in front of the chimney. ...
A: you may need to check with your local building department for your local codes or a Certified ...
|
| chimney/flue removal | 7/23/2008 |
Q: I have removed a Franklin stove that we seldom used. We have sealed the chimney with a plate until ...
A: if you are talking about sheet rock and roofing shingles then I would say find and expert, sheet ...
|
| ELCO Wood Burning Fireplace Insert | 7/23/2008 |
Q: I have a 1984 ELCO wood burning fireplace insert with a blower/air recirculation system with an ...
A: If you don't have the manual and can't contact the manufacturer then with out seeing all I can say ...
|
| Double sided fireplace insert 2 floors shared chimney | 7/23/2008 |
Q: One in our basement another on the 1st floor sharing the same chimney. The 1st floor is already ...
A: I would start with a few local wood stove stores, maybe even online (not sure if they make a double ...
|
| schrader fireplace | 7/22/2008 |
Q: We recently happened upon an old Schrader Fireplace in a yard sale, and it seems to be in great ...
A: I would say have your local wood stove store take a look at this unit before using it to be sure it ...
|
| Poer venting oil boiler chimney | 7/21/2008 |
Q: I have an old house with an unlined 8x8 flue that my 1999 500,000 BTUH Weil-McClain Boiler is vented ...
A: I would have a Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org) take a first hand look, you might not be able ...
|
| Lopi woodstove only burns well w/ door open | 7/16/2008 |
Q: I have an ~1989 Lopi woodstove. It doesn't burn well w/ the door closed but is fine w/ it ajar. I ...
A: are all of the fresh air intakes clear and working properly? Is there a large amount of ashes on the ...
|
| Great idea and question around fireplace | 7/16/2008 |
Q: I have an existing fire place. The back of our fireplace is in our garage. We live in North Dakota ...
A: I am not sure I completely understand what you are explaining, but if you change the fire box the ...
|
| cleaning the ash pit | 7/16/2008 |
Q: I live in a 63 year old home with a fireplace in the first floor living room. The ash pit in the ...
A: I think I can help you, first set up drop cloths in front of both areas, get your self a good dust ...
|
| poured in place too small - can it be reamed out? | 7/15/2008 |
Q: We had our chimney flue lined with a poured-in-place system. The bladder apparently got too skinny ...
A: I have never heard of this before! What did the installer say and his idea to fix it? Has some one ...
|
| Modifying a fireplace to accommodate a woodstove | 7/15/2008 |
Q: This is hard to visualize, but our home has a built-up (waist-high)corner fireplace. It is flanked ...
A: I would contact a Certified Chimney Sweep (www.CSIA.org) there you will be able to find all ...
|
| venting a pellet stove into a fireplace chimney | 7/13/2008 |
Q: James Can i vent a pellet stove into an old masonry chimney by putting a metal plate over the ...
A: you need to refer to the owners manual, that will tell you if you can use a masonry chimney and if ...
|
| Dual flue | 7/9/2008 |
Q: I see your responses saying that NFPA prohibits use of a chimney for both liquid and solid fuels. ...
A: like my mom use to say "just causes he's your grand father doesn't make him right" I would have to ...
|
| woodstove | 7/8/2008 |
Q: I am having a woodstove installed. The problem is that the information on the stove that will ...
A: try asking the seller again, I looked on line and in the NCSG archives and could find nothing. to ...
|
| Heatilator Model 3036 | 7/7/2008 |
Q: I have a Heatilator fireplace, Model No. 3036, s/n D342735. It uses 9" ID, 14" OD Double Wall Solid ...
A: these units are sold as a kit they are tested with all their own components and you can not replace ...
|
| chimmeney | 7/4/2008 |
Q: i have a chimminey used for a wood stove years ago when our house was electric heat. since then the ...
A: to answer your question, No. You can not as per NPFA 211 code, mix liquid and solid fuels in the ...
|
| Fireplace convert to 2 sided | 7/2/2008 |
Q: The house was built 1968 and fireplace appears to be that old. It is standing free of a wall in the ...
A: a two sided fireplace has a flue (the tube inside the chimney) that is sized for two openings (then ...
|
| Renting a house with a questionable fireplace | 6/27/2008 |
Q: I own a house with a masonry fireplace built in 1956. I lived in the house for 5 years and am now ...
A: you have two problems as I see it, 1) do you fix the fireplace and let the renters use it and take ...
|
| Dovre 500 CBW | 6/26/2008 |
Q: I recently swept the 6" flue of our above woodburning stove. In order to gain proper access to the ...
A: I would refer tot he owners manual on that stove (if you don't have it try to find it, If you can't ...
|
| Old Heatolator | 6/22/2008 |
Q: I have an old Fireplace with an iron Heatolator. It has warped in the back and cracked. Can I just ...
A: I would have a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) take a first hand look, they will let you know ...
|
| Draw on a multi burner | 6/22/2008 |
Q: I hope to have a multi burner stove installed. The room has no chimney breast so I thought I could ...
A: the supplier knows the stove I would follow his recommendation (you may need that 2' to get the ...
|
| Insert question | 6/21/2008 |
Q: I have a fireplace that has glass doors on both sides, and a double lined 8" steel chimney that is ...
A: have your wood stove store look at the unit and they will find the manufacturer tag and then they ...
|
| smoky outdoor fireplace | 6/21/2008 |
Q: We have a new wood burning gas start outdoor fireplace. build with stones not pre-fabricated. ...
A: as far the the minimum height contact your local building department for what is code in your town. ...
|
| WOOD STOVE INTO PREFAB FIREPLACE | 6/17/2008 |
Q: I WANT TO PUT A REAR FLU HEARTH STOVE IN FRONT OF MY PREFAB FIREPLACE THEN RUN A NEW STAINLESS STEEL ...
A: I would say speak to your local building department and see what they say (if they say "ok" then you ...
|
| external chimney and chase for wood stove | 6/12/2008 |
Q: I will exit out the side of my house and use Duraplus 6 inch triple wall chimney to go about 34 feet ...
A: I am not familiar with Duraplus (contact them) you may not need the chase, you will have to install ...
|
| Ventless fire place logs | 6/11/2008 |
Q: Can I use ventless fireplace logs in a prefab fireplace unit (that already has a gas starter ...
A: Welcome back Judy, again when doing something other than what the fireplace was designed for I would ...
|
| Ventless fire place logs | 6/11/2008 |
Q: Can I use ventless fireplace logs in a prefab fireplace unit (that already has a gas starter ...
A: if I understand you corectly you want to take the fake logs that came with your "vent less" ...
|
| Schrader Heating Stove | 6/7/2008 |
Q: I have the above stove (circa 1982), and would like to convert it to use propane and a gas fireplace ...
A: I would contact the manufacturer of the stove (if you can find them) and ask them. A stove from 1982 ...
|
| fire place insert | 6/1/2008 |
Q: I am wondering if I can vent a wood burning stove through my existing wood burning fireplace. I ...
A: I would first contact the fireplace manufacturer to make sure they say its ok to vent the insert ...
|
| free standing wood burning stove | 5/30/2008 |
Q: I have a free standing wood burning stove. I have brick surrounding the stove and brick which the ...
A: Yes you can paint the brick, let the paint store know they might recommend a high temp paint? but ...
|
| DOVRE 300Heirloom | 5/26/2008 |
Q: Don asked a question about his Dovre Stove 300hc. I also have one that we just bought (used). I ...
A: speak to your building department and ask them what they need. it might be time to update the stove ...
|
| how to drill another hole in a chimney | 5/26/2008 |
Q: I need to replace an old water heater in my basement,I bought a new one but too tall(3" more) & i ...
A: you should really have a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) take a look to verify that the ...
|
| sealing a propane fireplace | 5/23/2008 |
Q: I want to seal off our propane fireplace (we have never used it and do not plan to), remove the ...
A: you propane company should be able to disconnect that for you. I would not remove the gas line ...
|
| Ventless gas possibilites | 5/20/2008 |
Q: I have a one bedroom condo (limited space) that could use a defining feature such as a fireplace. ...
A: I would say check the web for Ventless Gas fireplaces. I am not a big fan of these units as the do ...
|
| Thermorete | 5/14/2008 |
Q: I have a 3 story house that built in 1867. In this house we have a small fire place the was used ...
A: Thermocrete is a cement type product the coats the walls and helps insulate and seal holes and gaps. ...
|
| Repairing | 5/13/2008 |
Q: My bricks outside of my chimney that I have a (insert fireplace in)is starting to fall apart. The ...
A: Welcome back Jill, if this is a full masonry chimney top to bottom then you might need a mason to ...
|
| Venting Dryer | 5/10/2008 |
Q: The only logical place for my dryer in my 1927 home is near the chimney. Can I do this? The ...
A: No you can not vent a cloths dryer into a chimney (even if not used) my advice is to have a ...
|
| Smoking fireplace | 5/7/2008 |
Q: We had a fireplace with two openings built onto an existing chimney in May 2007. The smoke starts ...
A: Smoking fireplaces/odors can happen for a number of reasons, dirty, blocked, improper construction, ...
|
| schrader wood stove | 5/6/2008 |
Q: i bought a schrader wood stove . it has two doors side by side with witha tree on each. i have heard ...
A: Did you get a owners manual? Besides the gasket info the manual will tell you clearance to ...
|
| bird problem | 5/5/2008 |
Q: how can I stop a wood pecker from tapping on my metal fire place chimney every morning at 5:30 am ...
A: I would contact an animal expert. My understanding is that a wood pecker is looking for food and by ...
|
| Wasps Decomposing Odor | 4/25/2008 |
Q: In the fall, we had 400 wasps come flying out of our fireplace when the damper was opened. The pest ...
A: Did the Sweep remove the damper(metal plate that you open to let smoke out)? $1300.00 sounds a bit ...
|
| Leaking chimneys | 4/19/2008 |
Q: I have a home that was constructed 7 years ago. It has 3 masonry chimneys, all of which have been ...
A: welcome back Paula, I do not think the liner will help (if you are using natural gas very then it ...
|
| Leaking chimneys | 4/19/2008 |
Q: I have a home that was constructed 7 years ago. It has 3 masonry chimneys, all of which have been ...
A: Finding a water leak can be a real difficult problem. I would contact a certified chimney sweep ...
|
| Moving a fireplace | 4/15/2008 |
Q: I have a fireplace in the middle of my house which has two flues - one for the fireplace and one for ...
A: You can build a "Class A " chimney this is a double wall Stainless Steel chimney (like for a wood ...
|
| Chimney leaking creosote | 4/11/2008 |
Q: We have a chimney that continually leaks creosote. The chimney is maybe 80-100 years old. We have ...
A: My first question are you sure its creosote and not oil soot? second when they cleaned the chimney ...
|
| see-thru fireplace performance | 4/11/2008 |
Q: our interior designer is recommending a see-thru fireplace between our living room and outdoor ...
A: I have never seen a " a see-thru fireplace between our living room and outdoor patio" the fact that ...
|
| cracks in fire box | 4/10/2008 |
Q: My husband and I are buying a house,the fire box has cracks in it and our inspector informed us that ...
A: If your fire box is metal then you need the whole system replaces, if it is masonry then you can go ...
|
| Chimney Cap | 4/9/2008 |
Q: How much does it cost to have a chimney specialist repair a chimney cap? I believe there may be to ...
A: I am not sure I understand what you are asking? if the cap is metal buy a new one if it is flag ...
|
| Old Heatilator / Heatform insert, Clay Lined Chimney and New Wood Insert | 4/7/2008 |
Q: I have a fireplace that is an all stone structure that was probably built in the 1950's. It has a ...
A: I would have a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) take a first hand look and also speak to your ...
|
| Joint chinmey, getting smells from next door | 4/5/2008 |
Q: I live in a semi-detached house which had a chimney in front and back rooms. The chimney in front ...
A: I am not sure how you are explaining this but if you smell smoke (either kind) some thing is not ...
|
| Coal grate fireplace | 4/5/2008 |
Q: I have a fireplace and the coal grate has been removed. Chimney has been permanently capped/sealed. ...
A: first the gas logs, I would have a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) take a first hand look to ...
|
| chimney | 4/3/2008 |
Q: i now have another for you.as i said last time i have two fireplaces both with own chimney,i have ...
A: Sorry for the confusion Ann, if you are using both fireplaces at the same time then one might draw ...
|
| chimney | 4/3/2008 |
Q: i now have another for you.as i said last time i have two fireplaces both with own chimney,i have ...
A: Ann I am not sure what you will get with a UFO cap the damper cap I spoke about is a top sealing ...
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| chimney | 4/3/2008 |
Q: i now have another for you.as i said last time i have two fireplaces both with own chimney,i have ...
A: If that spinning cap is drawing air up the chimney it might be pulling the air down the other ...
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| chimney caps | 4/3/2008 |
Q: The room our fireplace is in is extremely hot in the summer. Should we cap off the flu airtight or ...
A: a top mount damper cap will work fine and close off the top of the flue (you can open it any time ...
|
| wood stove venting | 4/2/2008 |
Q: I recently purchased a 1960's brick ranch home that appears to have a chimney for venting a oil ...
A: I would have a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) take a first hand look, they will let you know ...
|
| use of existing metal fireplace flue to insert class A 6" | 3/28/2008 |
Q: Greetings Mr. Ball: I have a 2-story, '96 house with interior chase and flue attached to a Marco ...
A: you have to find out two things you have to ask the manufacturer of both the new stove and the old ...
|
| fireplace | 3/28/2008 |
Q: We are building a home and a natural old style brick fireplace. We want to incorporate a blower ...
A: I am not sure I understand your question, what do you need the "blower system" for? if it is to ...
|
| Smoke from fireplace going into house | 3/25/2008 |
Q: I recently moved into a brick bungalow located in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, built sometime during the ...
A: Smoking fireplaces/odors can happen for a number of reasons, dirty, blocked, improper construction, ...
|
| Brand new - water seepage | 3/21/2008 |
Q: My new house was completed 7/3/07. The house is 3 levels. The grade level (or basement) and 2nd ...
A: you are not a "pin", from what you explained it sounds like the lower fireplace is below grade and ...
|
| Brand new - water seepage | 3/21/2008 |
Q: My new house was completed 7/3/07. The house is 3 levels. The grade level (or basement) and 2nd ...
A: Welcome back Matt, this sounds like a case of "don't raise the bridge lower the water" and in this ...
|
| stove pipe hookup | 3/21/2008 |
Q: I have a Garrison II stove with 6" exit pipe and the chimney connecting to(interior masonry) has a ...
A: it should stay the same size top to bottom, maybe an insulated relining with 6" in the chimney would ...
|
| Brand new - water seepage | 3/21/2008 |
Q: My new house was completed 7/3/07. The house is 3 levels. The grade level (or basement) and 2nd ...
A: you might be getting water through the brick (maybe) you might be getting water down the chimney if ...
|
| older home with firplace | 3/21/2008 |
Q: I am moving into my Great Grandparents home which my Grand parents remodeled in 1990 the only ...
A: Smoking fireplaces/odors can happen for a number of reasons, dirty, blocked, improper construction, ...
|
| MARCO FIREPLACE LEAK | 3/17/2008 |
Q: My parents live in a Manufactured Home that wsa a model from 1999 til 2002. They moved into the ...
A: Sorry to hear about your problem, you may need a roofer (not a handy man) take a look, it maybe the ...
|
| super smokey furnace | 3/15/2008 |
Q: James Over the last 5 years my coal furnace has gotten much worse in making heat and retaining heat ...
A: I have to say I have only one coal customer and we clean her little (maybe 2-3' tall 12" round) ...
|
| Brush stuck in chimney | 3/14/2008 |
Q: Recently I was cleaning the chimney from our boiler and the brush came unscrewed and is stuck. I ...
A: you can try adding an other brush and pushing it up and out (if you don't have a cap, or going up ...
|
| will this work | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I bought a place and it has a chimney constructed of cinder block. The blocks are aprox 16 x 16 and ...
A: with out seeing this chimney I would say don't use it. Have a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) ...
|
| smokey smelling room | 3/11/2008 |
Q: Occasionally when I come home my downstairs or my upstairs (never is it both) seems of a strong ...
A: Smoking fireplaces/odors can happen for a number of reasons, dirty, blocked, improper construction, ...
|
| RE:ventless fireplace | 3/9/2008 |
Q: I have a ventless, gas fireplace. For the 1st 2 years, no problem. This year, we noticed that the ...
A: When they say "Ventless" keep in mind that all the exhaust is going into your home including Carbon ...
|
| rain in firebox | 3/8/2008 |
Q: what senerio would cause rain to come down flue into fireplace. this fireplace was built 35 years ...
A: IF you do not have a cap on top of you fireplace chimney and (as most are) it is a strait shot down ...
|
| Insert for Pellet Stove | 3/7/2008 |
Q: We currently have a masonry fireplace/chimney. We are purchasing a QuadraFire Pellet Stove insert ...
A: any unit you install, weather it be a wood stove, pre-fab fireplace, pellet stove....etc must be ...
|
| leaking around the outside of the chimney | 3/6/2008 |
Q: We noticed last fall that we had water trickling in from what looks like the outside of our chimney. ...
A: I will say water problems can be very hard to find but lets give it a try, I would start by looking ...
|
| smoking fireplaces | 3/5/2008 |
Q: We have a double-sided fireplace on the 1st floor as well a standard fireplace in the basement below ...
A: what you are describing is a very common problem and it is called "negative Pressure" think of your ...
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| 6 | 3/4/2008 |
Q: What is the correct way to install 6" stove pipe from a woodstove into a 8" crock. The crock is ...
A: Welcome back Chad, you are right it should stay 6" all the way to the top. and the inside of the ...
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| wood burning fireplace | 3/4/2008 |
Q: Is it very costly to replace a broken damper? Who should I call to repair this? ...
A: to replace the damper is very costly, you have to remove the damper and what it sits in (saddle) and ...
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| State of California requirements | 3/3/2008 |
Q: Is there any special requirements for installing a fireplace in a manufactured Home in California? ...
A: you have to follow two things here, the manufactures installation instructions of any unit and your ...
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| 6" pipe into a 8" crock | 3/3/2008 |
Q: What is the correct way to install 6" stove pipe from a woodstove into a 8" crock. The crock is ...
A: I have never been asked this before and do not want to tell you the wrong thing. I would say contact ...
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| Cast hole in flu | 3/1/2008 |
Q: I have a new home with a woodburning fireplace (never used). We live in New England and have a lot ...
A: It is hard to say, what you have with out seeing it. I would say have a certified chimney sweep ...
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| fireplace | 2/28/2008 |
Q: I am trying to remove a 1960's pink tile fire place it was put in the house 50 years ago by the ...
A: If I understand you correctly you want to remove the pink tile? If so it was probably just installed ...
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| Insulating around a gas fireplace... | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I recently came across an article / posting in the Web where someone was asking a question about ...
A: first if you do not have the installation manual for this unit you should do nothing to alter it in ...
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| smoke in neighbor's home | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I have wood burning stove in my garage. When I light the fire my neighbor complains about the smell ...
A: first by code you are not allowed to install a wood stove in a garage, why is she getting smoke? ...
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| help! blocked chimney | 2/22/2008 |
Q: My gas boiler is shutting off becuase of some sort of safety device in it. I called a technician ...
A: Welcome back Shelby, what is a I have a bakers alley with a hatch. is that a metal trap door in ...
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| help! blocked chimney | 2/22/2008 |
Q: My gas boiler is shutting off becuase of some sort of safety device in it. I called a technician ...
A: I think I can help, first if you can get near the hole in the chimney where the pipe was in try to ...
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| smoke in second fireplace | 2/22/2008 |
Q: I do not know if it was pre existing but, I bought house last year. I have fireplace on first level ...
A: this is a very common problem it is called negative pressure. Look at it this way if you have 10 ...
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| furnace flue to attic ventilation | 2/19/2008 |
Q: My wife and I purchased a 1994, 2-story, 2200 sq ft house in Kansas City and moved in December 2006. ...
A: I for one am against removing a chimney, I suggest that you cap the top of the flue off (metal plate ...
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| Backdraft/smoke from another unit? | 2/18/2008 |
Q: I live on the middle floor of a three story condominium building. Our unit as well as the units ...
A: Welcome back Dave, air will come down a chimney in only two ways, pushed by wind or pulled by ...
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| Backdraft/smoke from another unit? | 2/18/2008 |
Q: I live on the middle floor of a three story condominium building. Our unit as well as the units ...
A: the 3rd floor is working fine there is no problem with it. The problem is with the 1st and 2nd ...
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| metal housing around stove & stove placement | 2/17/2008 |
Q: I've in a new home with w big woodstove. It has a strange metal housing around the side, with only ...
A: as with any thing you need to read the directions and manual that came with the stove (or find one ...
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| Wood burning stove in a moduler home | 2/13/2008 |
Q: Is it taboo to install a wood burning stove in a modular home?
A: the two entity's that will tell you one way or the other are the maker of the home and your local ...
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| prefab chimney install | 2/13/2008 |
Q: Is it permissable to install a wood burning stove in a home garage in [Putnam County] New York ...
A: I would check with your local building department, they will be able to tell you what it and what is ...
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| Chimney construction | 2/12/2008 |
Q: My Uncle and I took advice We built a chimney with block clay liner mortared between each clay liner ...
A: with smoke coming out and cracks at this point I would not use this chimney until you have a ...
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| prefab chimney install | 2/11/2008 |
Q: I want to install a through the wall prefab chimney. The wall in question has a over hang with a ...
A: Mitchell, depending on where you are located you can. Best bet is find the Class A you want to use ...
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| Sweeping Chimneys | 2/10/2008 |
Q: How often should a person have their chimmney swept? I live in Missouri and depending on the winter ...
A: it is recommended that a chimney be checked by a certified chimney sweep (wwww.csia.org) every year ...
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| exhause fumes in home | 2/10/2008 |
Q: we purchased a 1970 colonial home with 2 fireplaces. i have an oil fired tankless furnace in ...
A: every thing sounds like it is good. MY question is did any one check for negative pressure? Smoking ...
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| Flue Liner | 2/10/2008 |
Q: Mr. Ball, I recently had my chimney swept and the sweep had told me everything was fine until they ...
A: Welcome back Eric, I can not tell if they told you the truth with out seeing it. I have been doing ...
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| vertical grate for fireplace | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I have a fireplace with a conventional basket grate, and read about a vertical grate on the site ...
A: Welcome back Richard, I have never had any experience with these products (which is why I suggested ...
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| vertical grate for fireplace | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I have a fireplace with a conventional basket grate, and read about a vertical grate on the site ...
A: I took a look at the web page it seems like an interesting idea. lets start with most fireplaces ...
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| Chimney tile | 2/8/2008 |
Q: Have a45 yr old fireplace. Has 17 x 8 tile, rectangular with rounded corners, not oval. Where may ...
A: did you call other brick yards? or try the Internet? if you can take a picture and e-mail it to ...
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| flue linner | 2/7/2008 |
Q: My house has a wood burning fire place that has been converted into a gas burning fire place due to ...
A: I am not sure what you have there, is this a masonry fireplace chimney with a liner? All metal ...
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| Smoke smell in basement | 2/6/2008 |
Q: Whenever we burn our fireplace we get a smoke smell in our basement. The fireplace is on the first ...
A: this defiantly sounds like a negative pressure issue. look at it this way if 10 gallons of air are ...
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| gas igniter and duraflames | 2/6/2008 |
Q: I have a wood burning fireplace with a gas igniter. It works great with wood, but can i use ...
A: as long as the fireplace and chimney are in good shape you can use duraflames or wood or both but ...
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| Is leaking fireplace covered by home inspector's 1-year guarantee? | 2/6/2008 |
Q: My family purchased a house last July, and did our inspection in late July last year. After a ...
A: read your inspection report to see what is covered and what is not. is he reasonable? at the very ...
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| chimneys | 2/5/2008 |
Q: Maybe you know the answer to this. I would like to know how long chimney builders have been putting ...
A: Welcome back Loretta, start with a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) and let them take a look ...
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| modifying single opening to 2 sided fireplace | 2/5/2008 |
Q: We have a fireplace with 2 flues now open to the dining room w/8' ceilings. We want to open to the ...
A: I'm not sure I understand you, your existing fireplace has "two flues" and only open to the Dinning ...
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| ventless propane logs | 2/5/2008 |
Q: We have a wood burning fireplace that we never used, I removed two sections of the vent system to ...
A: It is hard to tell what you did to mount the TV when you say "I removed two sections of the vent ...
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| FIREBOX REPAIR | 2/4/2008 |
Q: Ihave a wood burning fire box in my mobile home I notice a crack in the bottom of the floor brick ...
A: I have never worked on or seen a "mobile home firebox" there should have been a manual that came ...
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| TWO SIDED?? | 2/4/2008 |
Q: I HAVE AN EXISTING 50 YEAR OLD GOOD CONDITION BRICK FIREPLACE, THAT I WANT TO BREAK A HOLE IN THE ...
A: I would say have a local engineer take a look he will be up to date on your local building codes. ...
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| Dovre Wood Stoves | 2/3/2008 |
Q: I have a Dovre Model 300HC "The Heirloom Stove" which has some internal gasketing that needs ...
A: I am sorry, some of these company's go out of business and if you can't find the info you need it ...
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| chimney cleaning intervals | 2/3/2008 |
Q: When we added a raised hearth brick fireplace in our home in about 1977, the builder installed a ...
A: yes you are at risk, you should have your chimneys inspected every year (more if you are using it ...
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| FIREPLACE | 2/2/2008 |
Q: Last week I used my fireplace for the evening and the following morning when I went to clean out the ...
A: ask at your local stone yard what type of mortar to use. you will need to remove all the old mortar ...
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| A follow-up to previously answered question | 2/1/2008 |
Q: Randy Brooks answered the following but is unavailable for a followup. I understand his answer but ...
A: Welcome back Larry, here is what I think you should do, get a gas stove or insert and use a ...
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| A follow-up to previously answered question | 2/1/2008 |
Q: Randy Brooks answered the following but is unavailable for a followup. I understand his answer but ...
A: if I understand you there is a problem with your fireplace chimney but you want to use it? if so ...
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| chimney cap | 1/31/2008 |
Q: Where can I find a chimney cap to fit a Tempco fireplace model #TBF-3? They have gone out of ...
A: manufacturers state you can only use their stuff on their system. but most replace that cap with a ...
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| 2story house | 1/30/2008 |
Q: how hard is it to install a wood burning stove in the first floor of a 2story house, will this be a ...
A: the wood stove is easy just set it down any where. the chimney how ever can be a problem. are you ...
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| smokey stove | 1/30/2008 |
Q: I installed a wood burning stove in my basement and when we lit it all the smoke came out in the ...
A: Smoking fireplaces/odors can happen for a number of reasons, dirty, blocked, improper construction, ...
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| Mantle around Fireplace | 1/28/2008 |
Q: One end of my den is a brick wall, with an active, wood-burning fireplace (no mantle). I want to ...
A: NFPA 211 states minimum 6 on the sides and if the trim sticks out less that 1 1/2" then 6" about ...
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| boiler | 1/28/2008 |
Q: I took my fire out to give it clean and noticed heavy black soot deposit on the gas boiler is this ...
A: Welcome back John, as I said before have the boiler cleaned and tuned by a pro then the chimney ...
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| Repairing flu attached to fireplace insert- woodburining | 1/28/2008 |
Q: I bought a home 2 years ago with a fireplace and there is a metal insert inside it. It's been ...
A: I am not sure i follow what your say you have, what I think you are saying is the flue/smoke collar ...
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| boiler | 1/27/2008 |
Q: I took my fire out to give it clean and noticed heavy black soot deposit on the gas boiler is this ...
A: If I understand you correctly your Natural gas boiler is sooting up? if so I would have a Gas boiler ...
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| Venting wood stove to existing chimney | 1/26/2008 |
Q: I would like to install a wood stove into the existing vent hole to the chimney in the cellar (hole ...
A: I do not know why for sure either but I now you can not mix liquid and solid flues in the same ...
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| bends in my flue! | 1/26/2008 |
Q: We are thinking of putting in a wood burner into our Kitchen downstairs. There is no direct access ...
A: class A chimneys (metal insulated) are only allowed 2-30 degree angels, and are not designed to run ...
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| Purching a new fireplace | 1/25/2008 |
Q: I have a room that is approx 30x15, with a valted ceiling approx 15 feet high. I want to heat this ...
A: It is hard to say but each pipe has its own installation instructions and the pipe that I use calls ...
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| add on wood furnace | 1/24/2008 |
Q: Why should you not vent a oil furnace and add on wood furnace in the same chimney? Because i have ...
A: according to NFPA 211 you can not mix liquid and solid fuels in the same flue. If you had a problem ...
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| fireplace drafting | 1/24/2008 |
Q: Our interior fireplace is not drafting correctly. All doors and windows are closed, all ceiling fans ...
A: Smoking fireplaces/odors can happen for a number of reasons, dirty, blocked, improper construction, ...
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| chimney in clapboard | 1/23/2008 |
Q: We have an oil furnace and two propane gas vented fireplaces that will all vent through a chimney on ...
A: are the chimney flues made out of metal? if so then you can build a "chase" out of wood around them. ...
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| fireplace issue | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I live in the Chicago suburbs and we've got a wood burning fireplace. when it gets cold, the whole ...
A: are you sure it is frost and not just water damage? do you have this in summer? If you are getting ...
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| shared flues | 1/22/2008 |
Q: I just asked and received an answer from Randy Brooks regarding my house filling with smoke whenever ...
A: you should speak to the condo board and see if they can help the quick easy fix is to install a ...
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| Flue Liner | 1/22/2008 |
Q: Mr. Ball, I recently had my chimney swept and the sweep had told me everything was fine until they ...
A: I would say get a second opinion, can you do this your self? check with your local building ...
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| smoky chimmney | 1/22/2008 |
Q: One of the fireplaces in our new house smokes everytime we light it. As it heats up it gets a little ...
A: yes the fan will work because it is mechanical, What you are describing is a common problem called ...
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| Sharing an oil furnace chimney with a wood burnig stove? | 1/21/2008 |
Q: We heat our home with an oil furnace. Our home is a one story ranch with the furnce in the basement. ...
A: no you can not add a wood stove to the oil flue NFPA code states you can not mix liquid and solid ...
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| 1976 Masonry Fireplace | 1/21/2008 |
Q: My fireplace has a small chute you can open to put the ashes down to the basement where you can ...
A: yes it is some thing to worry about hot embers can get down into the ash pit if the brick is left to ...
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| The Best Chimney | 1/20/2008 |
Q: I am building a new house on our farm. We are installing a wood burning forced air furnace in the ...
A: If efficiency is your main concern then I would say go with the Stainless Steel class A chimney ...
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| smell of smoke | 1/20/2008 |
Q: How do you get rid of the smoke smell in your house. I have opened doors and windows and put the ...
A: the attic fan almost surly made it worst, What you are describing is a common problem called ...
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| Two piece hearth extension? | 1/19/2008 |
Q: I am putting in a wood fireplace and the specs call for Micore Board or equilivent to meet R ...
A: I would start with the manufacture of the "Micore Board" and ask them, then the building department. ...
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| Chimney height | 1/19/2008 |
Q: How tall should my chimney be in relation to the peak or ridge of the roof of my two story house? I ...
A: 1st I would have the whole chimney inspected in side and out by a certified sweep (www.csia.org) ...
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| Firebox cracks and clearance issues | 1/19/2008 |
Q: On a new brick fireplace, used for less than 1 season, I noticed that the mortar in the back of the ...
A: NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) states a fire box have 4" of fire brick, 4" of regulate ...
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| chimney rebuild scenarios | 1/19/2008 |
Q: Perhaps you know the answer to this. We have a brick chimney that badly needs to be rebuilt. Some ...
A: I would ask your local building department, they will tell you just what you have to do (reinforce ...
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| cold air return drawing in smoke and smell | 1/19/2008 |
Q: James, Thanks for all the tips on your site. We experience the common problem of back draft, ...
A: don't jump the gun, there are things you can do to stop air from coming down, top mount damper caps, ...
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| encasing a chimney through attic space | 1/18/2008 |
Q: We just purchased a single story house with a Vermont Castings woodstove (Model: Aspen 1920). The ...
A: proper clearance (with out the manufactures installation instructions) would be hard to do but most ...
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| Heatform Heatalator | 1/18/2008 |
Q: I am doing a remodel job on my existing fire place that has a Heatform Heatalator, with heating ...
A: I would not close them off for 2 reasons, 1) this is designed to get the heat out and it may cause a ...
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| boiler exhaust entering home when fireplace is used | 1/18/2008 |
Q: We just bought a two story colonial home built in 1969 with two fireplaces. The first floor remains ...
A: Welcome back Karen, think of it this way your house is like an air tight bottle with three chimney ...
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| boiler exhaust entering home when fireplace is used | 1/18/2008 |
Q: We just bought a two story colonial home built in 1969 with two fireplaces. The first floor remains ...
A: it sounds like a negative pressure issue, one or more of your fireplaces are pulling "make up air" ...
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| leaky fireplace | 1/18/2008 |
Q: When it rains there is leakage on the ceiling close to the sandstone fireplace. There is no sign of ...
A: you say, “When it rains there is leakage on the ceiling” it is possible to get water coming down the ...
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| keeping flue gases warm enough to keep draft going | 1/17/2008 |
Q: James, thanks in advance for your opinion. I plan on installing a triple wall metal chimney, UL ...
A: if the manufacturer of the stove recommends triple wall air insulated pipe then that is what I would ...
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| brick wall | 1/16/2008 |
Q: i have a woodburning stove that is in the corner of our living room and sits ontop of 3 layers of ...
A: yes you have some thing to worry about, check with your stove installation book they will give you ...
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| Faulty Install?? | 1/16/2008 |
Q: I need an expert opinion. Last year we had an Avalon wood burning insert added to our home. We had ...
A: sorry for the trouble you are having. lets start with the insert, the liner should be the same size ...
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| woodburner installation | 1/16/2008 |
Q: Please help,i was recently bought a tiger plus multi fuel stove but have no chimney.Need your help ...
A: start with the stove and the manual should tell you what type of pipe you will need. Then find a ...
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| woodburner installation | 1/15/2008 |
Q: Please help,i was recently bought a tiger plus multi fuel stove but have no chimney.Need your help ...
A: I am not sure I understand, you have a stove with no chimney and need to build one? (if so start ...
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| Double sided chimney | 1/15/2008 |
Q: i am building a new house and looking to put a double sided see thru fireplace in with a single ...
A: double sides fireplaces have twice the area of a single sided fireplace that the flue has to get the ...
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| Chimney leaking water? | 1/15/2008 |
Q: I recently had a new roof put on, because I thought it was leaking water around the chimney. Again, ...
A: I would have a certified sweep (www.csia.org) look into relining the gas heating units, if you are ...
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| Chimney leaking water? | 1/15/2008 |
Q: I recently had a new roof put on, because I thought it was leaking water around the chimney. Again, ...
A: I doubt if water is "siphoning up the chimney" are you heating with gas or propane? they both ...
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| Fireplace repair | 1/14/2008 |
Q: I live in a rental property that has a wood burning fireplace. the fireplace has cracks in the back ...
A: they make replacement panels for these "pre-fab" fireplaces these are metal fireplaces with a ...
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| flue sizes | 1/14/2008 |
Q: The firebox I am building is 48 inches wide and 38 inches tall. What size of flue should I use? Is ...
A: I would start with your local building department they can give the the size for your area how ever ...
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| Smokey woodburning fireplace, Soot from Oil burner | 1/14/2008 |
Q: In 1993 we had our wood burning fireplace chimney cleaned. The chimney sweep company noticed that ...
A: Welcome back Alan, I would also look into Make Up Air this it the air the feeds the units could the ...
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| Insulation to block draft | 1/13/2008 |
Q: I have a Buck stove insert in my chimney. The buck opening is rectangular so I have a special boot ...
A: I would first check with Buck Stoves and then with your local building department, they do make a ...
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| Forever Flex Solution chimney liner | 1/13/2008 |
Q: Ball: My neighbor is going to have the Forever Flex Solution chimney liner installed this week. She ...
A: a chimney should be "inspected" every year and cleaned when needed, most liner systems will have a ...
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| Smokey woodburning fireplace, Soot from Oil burner | 1/12/2008 |
Q: In 1993 we had our wood burning fireplace chimney cleaned. The chimney sweep company noticed that ...
A: wow you have several things going on here, lets start with the oil flue/liner is it sized properly? ...
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| 2 sided--see through fireplaces | 1/12/2008 |
Q: We'd like to have a woodburning unit with a propane starter or even better have a unit that would ...
A: start with your local wood stove store, they might have what you need. If you are building out of ...
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| Chimney Construction/Cap | 1/12/2008 |
Q: We have a 1 year old home and since moving in we have noticed water seeping out of and running down ...
A: water is a tricky thing but I usually suggest the most obvious and start from there, you don't have ...
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| identifying freestanding fire place vintage? | 1/12/2008 |
Q: we have a fireplace that my husband got out of a house on a construction job. we disassembled it and ...
A: with out a manufactures tag I wouldn't know where to begin, the only thing I would recommend is to ...
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| Do I need to take the back of stove off to clean chimney? | 1/11/2008 |
Q: I live in France, and have a Vermont Castings Intrepid II. I need to clean the stainless steel ...
A: I would love to come to the south of France, you buyin, I'm sweepin.And yes we have more Con Men ...
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| Do I need to take the back of stove off to clean chimney? | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I live in France, and have a Vermont Castings Intrepid II. I need to clean the stainless steel ...
A: France? Very cool never gave international advise before. If the chimney (solid double wall or ...
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| see through fireplace construction 1920s home | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I hired a chimney specialist to rebuild my 1920's back to back coal burning fireplace into a see ...
A: if the chimney was built to code and the correct size and was made perfectly you can still get smoke ...
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| Chimney - no lining | 1/9/2008 |
Q: James, My problem is that our fireplace is in seemingly great condition but the chimney is only ...
A: I would recommend having a Certified Sweep (www.csia.org) take a look, as far as using it as a ...
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| smoke shelf | 1/9/2008 |
Q: I have a couple of questions about installing a ss liner. I am installing a wood stove insert in my ...
A: Why not use Flex the hole way? If not make sure your connections is good. now your question, 1) it ...
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| Complete removal of fireplace, chimney | 1/8/2008 |
Q: Our home was built in 1947. It's a one story, 2 bed, 1 bath. We are sketching out a long term plan ...
A: DIY would depend on you, But I would say it might not be to hard, just dusty. as far as disposal and ...
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| 2 stoves, 1 pipe | 1/7/2008 |
Q: I'm building a new log cabin and I want to put a fireplace insert in my living room on the main ...
A: you can not run 2 solid fuels in to the same pipe, or from different levels of a house. this is a ...
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| 2-Sided Fireplace - 2 Dampers | 1/6/2008 |
Q: Both sides have glass doors. 1 side of the doors I will probably never open. There are 2 dampers ...
A: a damper controls air flow ( so do the glass doors) when starting the fire open all dampers fully, ...
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| smokey fireplace | 1/5/2008 |
Q: we own a Fisher Franklin style stove that smokes everytime we try to use it. I have had a chimney ...
A: there are only 3 ways to get smoke back into a home,1, a blockage (you say its clear) 2, wind ...
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| smoke smell | 1/4/2008 |
Q: James, ok sorry is the flue and the damper the same thing? I previously had a fireplace and always ...
A: the flue is the air channel that the smoke goes up inside the chimney the damper is what you open ...
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| Creosote leaking all overthe pipe the out side | 1/4/2008 |
Q: We use wood heat to heat our home and now we have creososte leaking down the pipe. My house at times ...
A: "leaking Creosote" is 3rd stage creosote and will drip like tar, it is also very flammable. It ...
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| smoke smell | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I read your reply to the question about a smoke smell in woodburning stove. I have two questions. ...
A: after you start a fire you close down the damper in order to regulate the burn (hot and fast or slow ...
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| Chimney flue | 1/3/2008 |
Q: When using a gas fire log, should the flue be all the way open or can it be about half way?
A: try to find the owners manual for the logs, look for a tag some where on them or the burner. there ...
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| smoke in room | 1/1/2008 |
Q: We have a two sided fireplace. do we need to shut off our central unit when burning wood. We also ...
A: two sided fireplaces should be used with one side closed (glass doors) Turning off the furnace will ...
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| Smokey house | 12/30/2007 |
Q: I live in a single story home and am having some problems with my fireplace. Every time i use the ...
A: the smoke is coming in somplace.... do you have a second fireplace? Could the smoke be coming back ...
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| smoking stove and chimney | 12/30/2007 |
Q: I recently purchased a lopi endeavor free standing wood stove. It has been working well for about ...
A: yes wind can do what you describe also negative pressure, make sure the chimney is clean and maybe a ...
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| woodstove leaking black around stove pipe into wall | 12/30/2007 |
Q: We recently installed a woodland wood/coal burning stove inside our daughters kitchen. when they got ...
A: it could be ash and water (from rain coming down the chimney) or it could be creosote. The pipes may ...
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| FACTORY METAL FIREBOX | 12/29/2007 |
Q: I HAVE PURCHASED A METAL FACTORY FIREBOX DESIGNED TO BE INSTALLED IN MASONRY WITH 12X13 FLUE TILE I ...
A: with any factory built, fireplace, insert, wood stove, metal box they must be installed as per ...
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| Fireplace ventaltion | 12/29/2007 |
Q: my fireplace does not draw the smoke out real good, especially on a windy day. In fact on a day ...
A: the NFPA code on chimney heights is, 3' (minimum)above where the chimney breaks the roof line then ...
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| upstairs condo neighbor's smoke coming into our living space | 12/28/2007 |
Q: I am in a downstairs-upstairs condo situation. Whenever the upstairs neighbor starts a fire in his ...
A: what you are describing sounds like a negative pressure issue your condo and sounds like it needs ...
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| fireplace | 12/28/2007 |
Q: My daughter just had her chimney repaired. But they don't burn anything except Duraflame logs ...
A: you said your daughter "had her chimney repaired" I do not know what that means, that is why I ...
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| fireplace | 12/27/2007 |
Q: My daughter just had her chimney repaired. But they don't burn anything except Duraflame logs ...
A: I am wondering if it is a construction issue or a negative pressure issue? Negative pressure is when ...
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| Superior KC-32-2 | 12/25/2007 |
Q: Looking for owners manual - exploded diagram to explain function of pull tab on left side near ...
A: I looked on the National Chimney Sweep Guilds web site for older manuals and did a Yahoo search but ...
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| can't keep door seal on stove | 12/23/2007 |
Q: i have a home made wood boiler.problem is can't keep door seal on.it doesn't have a channel like ...
A: I would say take the stove to a machine shop and have them weld a "channel" on the door, or buy a ...
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| a stone fire place | 12/22/2007 |
Q: how does it work i never had a fire place before and now i have 2! please help before the holidays ...
A: I would have said to have a certified sweep (www,csia.org) come out and inspect them before using ...
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| Wood Stove | 12/21/2007 |
Q: My husband and I just bought a Lopi woodstove yesterday and he installed it. We had a fire last ...
A: first wait more than 24 hours for ash cleaning 72 might be better to make sure all embers are out. ...
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| Does a chimney fire warrent a sleeve? | 12/18/2007 |
Q: Last year we had a chimney fire, cracking the interior brick. This was verified by a camera ...
A: a sleeve is a Stainless Steel liner and most certified chimney sweeps (www.csia.org) will install ...
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| replaceing a fireplace insert with a wood stove insert | 12/17/2007 |
Q: I have a fire place insert now, it is not as efficient as I would like it to be. My question is how ...
A: Yes you can replace the insert, so long as the fireplace and chimney are in good condition have a ...
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| Glue lams | 12/17/2007 |
Q: Any reason not to burn 30 year old, exterior glue lams in our tight Vermont Castings Resolute stove? ...
A: ok now I got it, I would say not to burn them, the glue may produce harmful gases both in the home ...
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| ventless gas logs | 12/16/2007 |
Q: I live in a 1932 duplex which I converted to single family. The two duplex living rooms are now a ...
A: I would have a certified chimney sweep ( www.csia.org)take a look at the chimney you want to use to ...
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| chimney condesation | 12/15/2007 |
Q: We have a brick chimney that was built in 1987. It contains two liners--one for our propane furnace ...
A: when you say "two liners" are they Stainless Steel? are they insulated? I am not as sure with ...
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| Furnace in the Fireplace? | 12/14/2007 |
Q: I live in a Coral Gables house that was built in the 50s. There is a nice Coral fireplace in our ...
A: with out seeing it I have no idea. Why wont they remove it? Did they give you a reason? Is it ...
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| Smoking Wood Furnace | 12/12/2007 |
Q: I have an old (circa 1980s) HS Tarm combination wood/propane furnace. I've been using it without a ...
A: the first thing that comes to mind it do you have make up air in this room? Is there a window open? ...
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| inserts in an old fireplace | 12/12/2007 |
Q: I have a 100 year old house that has a fireplace. It had been modified years ago with a stainless ...
A: do not alter the fire brick it does need to have a minimum clearance of masonry, then air space ...
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| fireplace manual | 12/11/2007 |
Q: Just bought a 10 year old house that has a gas fireplace by Temco, model TLC 39 31. I want to know ...
A: I looked on the National Chimney Sweep Guild site but did not find any thing on this kind of ...
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| chimney | 12/11/2007 |
Q: i have two fireplaces both with their own chimney, when i light one i get the smoke and fumes down ...
A: this is a common problem and it is called negative pressure. Where the house asks like a better ...
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| chimney flue | 12/10/2007 |
Q: I have a wood burning fire place. What markings should I look for when looking for a crack? I am ...
A: I would think the closer you are to the fire the hotter it would be?, As far as a crack or scratch ...
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| removing the pipe from a Fisher Free Standing Stove | 12/9/2007 |
Q: My husband and myself removed the Fisher stove in the basement of our ramble home. Their was an ...
A: If I understand you the last home owner had a wood stove installed in the wall above the damper ...
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| What's that noise? | 12/8/2007 |
Q: My daughter is hearing a noise coming from the fireplace. We suspect it's some critter probably ...
A: do you still hear it? If so then it might be in a chase, or if it comes and goes then it might be a ...
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| Smoking gas logs. | 12/7/2007 |
Q: I have purchased some gas logs and placed them into a fireplace that was used for wood burning for ...
A: question, did the fireplace smoke? when not in use do you feel cold air coming down the chimney? If ...
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| Old Heatilator | 12/5/2007 |
Q: I read the answer you gave Rose.. I have an old heatilator 1930's I believe. Smoke would enter the ...
A: you should not close off those holes. If you want to replace the Heatilator then contact Heatilator ...
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| chimneys | 12/2/2007 |
Q: Is a home inspector reliable enough to tell you if the chimney is in working condition? I want to ...
A: I have found that home inspectors are not as good as a sweep in inspecting a chimney, go to ...
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| smoky fireplace | 12/1/2007 |
Q: Our fireplace is a factory built Heatilator woodburning unit, with an 8-inch double wall non ...
A: if your figures are correct and this is a factory build system then I would call the factory. But ...
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| What size of chimeny liner? | 11/30/2007 |
Q: I have a 6" x 9" clay chimney flue (inside diametre) and was wondering what size of stainless steel ...
A: first I am in the USA on the NY/CT line on long island sound 50 minutes north east of New York City, ...
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| What size of chimeny liner? | 11/30/2007 |
Q: I have a 6" x 9" clay chimney flue (inside diametre) and was wondering what size of stainless steel ...
A: yes I can help you with this and yes I have done these before and it is some thing you could do your ...
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| chimney liner | 11/29/2007 |
Q: I own a home in new mexico and interested in installing a wood burning stove. there is an existing ...
A: if I under stand you correctly you say you have a bare masonry wall (use to have the fireplace) with ...
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| Could a boiler and hot water heater share the same chimney with a fireplace? | 11/29/2007 |
Q: A week after we bought a house, the water heater was down, causing a mall flame and heavy smoke all ...
A: first The National Chimney Sweep Guild, Chimney Safety Institute of America, National Fire ...
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| wood burner overheating | 11/28/2007 |
Q: In my living room I have a wood burner make says Franklin Sierra I think. Anyway I have ran it for ...
A: you can try another expert on this list and they might have different advice but I still say have a ...
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| wood burner overheating | 11/28/2007 |
Q: In my living room I have a wood burner make says Franklin Sierra I think. Anyway I have ran it for ...
A: (not good) it should be inspected by a CSIA certified sweep (www.CSIA.org) they will be able to give ...
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| New Chimney no Cap | 11/28/2007 |
Q: We are located in the New England near the shoreline and we recently had a new chimney constructed ...
A: I believe every chimney should have a cap, it keeps out rain, snow, animals, leaves, sticks and ...
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| damper | 11/28/2007 |
Q: My damper assy. is cracked at the rear of the fireplace where it rests on the ledge. The damper ...
A: to remove damper assemblies you would have to remove it from on top, by ripping out all the masonry ...
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| Preway Model FB24F - BLK C | 11/27/2007 |
Q: James, I was sold this wood burning stove a couple of years ago and now I want to install it in my ...
A: with any luck some where on the sotve there is a manufactures tag that will list the company ...
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| Pellet Stove Cleaning | 11/25/2007 |
Q: I have a pellet stove and I read that you should only use an approved ash vacuum to clean them, ...
A: in cleaning a pellet stove you must follow the manufactures instructions, will you vac work? It ...
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| smoke | 11/25/2007 |
Q: I am troubleshooting an issue w/a large wood burning stove. There are so many potential issues. The ...
A: What you are describing is a common problem called “negative pressure” There are dozens of reasons ...
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| Damp bricks in attic | 11/22/2007 |
Q: We have a 1925 house with a fireplace on the south exterior wall. The original fireplace is now gas ...
A: what you are describing sounds like the natural gas is venting into to large a flue and is seeping ...
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| fireplace removal | 11/21/2007 |
Q: I'm removing the interior brick facade of my fireplace currently because I would like to seal up the ...
A: I have never been asked this but lets take a shot, I might start with a builder or building ...
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| cleaning of terra-cotta chimney | 11/20/2007 |
Q: We are bidding a job that has a 110 foot terra-cotta chimney. this is 12 x 16 inches. they would ...
A: 1st why are you relining this? 2nd what are you relining? What type of coating are you talking ...
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| alternatives to relining chimney | 11/18/2007 |
Q: Ok we have gone through a diagnosis and it appears we have gaps in our flue which is resulting in ...
A: my suggestion would be to install an insert (a wood stove that slides part way into your fireplace) ...
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| Ventinox Stainless Liner Cost | 11/18/2007 |
Q: My elder sister who lives alone in Jackson, MS, was quoted a price of $2100 to install a ventinox ...
A: first let me start by saying all I install is Ventinox liners it is the best I could find and the ...
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| looks like smoke coming out of flue on chimney for back boiler | 11/17/2007 |
Q: back boiler seems to be working ok no smoke going up flue look from outside looks like smoke coming ...
A: I am a little confused and I am not sure I understand the question. Is there a break in the chimney? ...
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| smokey fireplace | 11/17/2007 |
Q: We have spent a lot of money with our current chimney sweep and this is what he did. First he put a ...
A: "get a new chimney sweep"? That’s a good one...lol What you are describing is a common problem ...
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| 18 | 11/15/2007 |
Q: I am installing a wood stove in my basement. The stove pipe will be coming out of the stove then ...
A: when you are installing any insulated chimney pipe you must follow their insulation instructions. ...
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| 18" clearance | 11/14/2007 |
Q: I am installing a wood stove in my basement. The stove pipe will be coming out of the stove then ...
A: check with Dura Vent and ask them if they’re 90-degree and pipe has a 2" clearance to combustibles? ...
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| creosote | 11/14/2007 |
Q: can someone actually see creosote up to 25 feet away ? what do you use to find it? Does a ...
A: Hell Again Jim, If I understand you correctly you have an insert in you fire place and a piece of ...
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| twosided fireplace - smoke filled room | 11/13/2007 |
Q: We just built a two-sided wood burning fireplace and the two times we used it...so much smoke filled ...
A: this is the hardest time for the fire as the smoke and fire cool the "house stack affect" takes over ...
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| creosote | 11/13/2007 |
Q: can someone actually see creosote up to 25 feet away ? what do you use to find it? Does a ...
A: what you have is third stage creosote from a very slow burning/un seasoned wood fire if you install ...
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| twosided fireplace - smoke filled room | 11/13/2007 |
Q: We just built a two-sided wood burning fireplace and the two times we used it...so much smoke filled ...
A: What you are describing is a common problem called “negative pressure” There are dozens of reasons ...
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| Wood Stove Pipe | 11/13/2007 |
Q: I have recently replaced the stove pipe for our woodstove. However, creosote in running down the ...
A: what you have is third stage creosote from a very slow burning/un seasoned wood fire if you install ...
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| smoking fireplace | 11/12/2007 |
Q: My parent's home was built in the 1960's and has a wood burning fireplace with a brick chimney and 2 ...
A: sorry to hear you are having this problem, what you are describing sounds like a heatalator (metal ...
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| installing a wood stove | 11/11/2007 |
Q: Can I install a wood stove in the same flue as my oil fires furnace? The wood stove pipe would be ...
A: NO you cannot put the wood stove into the same flue as the oil furnace. This is NFPA code you cannot ...
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| Build a Fireplace | 11/10/2007 |
Q: I am a single mom and a remodel contractor by trade. I have been renovating a old home (pier and ...
A: I am not a mason but I would start with your local building department and let them give you what ...
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| Wood Insert in Brick Fireplace...no liner | 11/9/2007 |
Q: I just purchased a house built 20 years ago that has a Lopi insert in the fireplace with a fan ...
A: that the damper is removed might make it easier but it may still have to be cut, measure to see if ...
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| Wood Insert in Brick Fireplace...no liner | 11/8/2007 |
Q: I just purchased a house built 20 years ago that has a Lopi insert in the fireplace with a fan ...
A: I will answer your questions this way, by code the insert must be lined to the first flue tile, (If ...
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| Fireplace inserts | 11/8/2007 |
Q: We have a fireplace insert. We have cleaned our insert out but are still having trouble with a bad ...
A: it sounds like you have a "negative pressure" problem and what that means is the house is a better ...
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| Wood burning stove & prefab fireplaces | 11/8/2007 |
Q: I am interested in adding a woodburning stove to my home, and was wondering can I vent the wood ...
A: I would contact both manufactures and ask them since you want to use both of their products. They ...
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| inner hearth cracked | 11/8/2007 |
Q: We have a pre fab fireplace 16x36 (opening) The "inner hearth" is cracked...any suggestions in ...
A: depending on the size of the crack you might have to remove and replace the panel. Do you have the ...
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| two sided fire place | 11/7/2007 |
Q: I have a two sided fireplace with gas on one side can I burn wood on the oter side? Thanks
A: are the two fireplaces connected? (Can you see through? If one fireplace has gas logs and the other ...
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| WOOD STOVE CHIMNEY | 11/7/2007 |
Q: i recently bought a house with a center brick chimney extending from the basement through the second ...
A: from what you are describing it sounds like you will have to reline the boiler first. Then if there ...
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| Smoke in basement | 11/6/2007 |
Q: I have a duel Chimney - 12" flew for the fireplace and 8 " for the wood stove in the basement - when ...
A: what you have is called “negative pressure” and what that means is the house is so air tight that ...
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| chimney and fireplace | 11/5/2007 |
Q: I have an 85 year old house that has no liner in the flu of my fireplace. It appears to be too ...
A: in your case It sounds like the existing flue (with out a liner) would be to small to reline ...
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| diameter of the liner | 11/5/2007 |
Q: I have wood burning fire place insert with 6" flue opening, but I only can put 5" stainless steel ...
A: I would say oval the bottom of the 6" to 5" X 7" and use an adapter to go back to round, most liner ...
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| chimney and fireplace | 11/4/2007 |
Q: I have an 85 year old house that has no liner in the flu of my fireplace. It appears to be too ...
A: the question “is this really necessary?” I will explain it this way, you are building a fire inside ...
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| 2 woodburners sharing same chimney | 11/4/2007 |
Q: I am a log home contractor in Arkansas and am getting prepared to build a good sized log home in ...
A: Lets start with my brother has one of those log homes and he love it, and heats most of the main ...
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| Smoky smell from wood stove | 11/1/2007 |
Q: James - We have a wood stove in our living room. Days later, after using it, there will be a very ...
A: There are many reasons why you might be getting that smell, my first thing I would look at would be ...
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| clean out | 10/31/2007 |
Q: I have two fireplaces, one in the lower level and the other directly above. I have found a clean out ...
A: you can clean this "ash trap" out your self use a shop vac and dust mask and scoop the ashes out ...
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| Soot in house | 10/30/2007 |
Q: Last year right before Christmas, I cleaned the house prior to guests coming. I rarely go upstairs ...
A: I have seen this a few times but not on a rug but on walls and ceilings. I think it is the candles, ...
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| Incoming smoke | 10/30/2007 |
Q: James, I recently had a chimney sweep come to clean my chimney. I was called and advised my chimney ...
A: first I do not believe you need a “whirly bird cap” a Fan cap (Exhausto fan) can be very expensive. ...
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| Fireplace smoky | 10/30/2007 |
Q: I have a fireplace insert in my fireplace. The doors are not completely sealed, and I get a smoky ...
A: the fact the you are getting smoke back in to the house could be form both the poor door seal and ...
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| Smoky Basement | 10/29/2007 |
Q: I have wood burning fireplaces in my upstairs and downstairs. When I light a fire in my upstairs ...
A: what you describe is a common problem and it is called “negative pressure” There are dozens of ...
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| cracks in flue | 10/28/2007 |
Q: James, We have a food burning fireplace. When getting our chimney cleaned this year we were told ...
A: cracked flue tile can be very dangerous or very minor depending on where and how big they are, but ...
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| fitting flue to wood stove | 10/26/2007 |
Q: I am installing a Fisher wood stove in a cabin and it has an 8" exhaust. I am having an extremely ...
A: they usually make an adapter (that comes with the wood stove) that you can hook to the liner/pipe ...
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| Metal Firebox interior | 10/26/2007 |
Q: We have about a 20 year old heatilator metal box fireplace. Some of the interior panels - which ...
A: I would ask Heatilator what they suggest (I know they don’t make the panels any more but they might ...
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| Fireplace "gaps" | 10/24/2007 |
Q: We recently purchased a house with a fireplace. The back wall of what I guess you would call the ...
A: It would be impossible for me to speculate on the condition of this “fire box” with out seeing it ...
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| Knocking Noise in Chimney | 10/23/2007 |
Q: I have a gas fireplace. Recently the weather turned cold here in Colorado. I am hearing a consistent ...
A: my first idea was a ghost but they are not on any time clock and every 15 seconds…lol. In any case ...
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| crack in buning pit/ replacing with electric fireplace | 10/22/2007 |
Q: The fireplace has a gas line already but has been capped off and I haven't used the fireplace in ...
A: Tracy, my advice would be to contact a Chimney Safety Institute of America chimney sweep ...
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| Shared Chimneys | 10/20/2007 |
Q: My husband and I have just purchased a house that has two wood burning fireplaces, one in the ...
A: There are dozens of reasons why a fire place will smoke, an other fire place can pull air/smoke down ...
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| Fireplace unused for 3 years | 10/19/2007 |
Q: Respectfully, I have scheduled a fireplace/chimney inspection (visual) and cleaning for a fireplace ...
A: it would be hard to say with out knowing the chimney my self, my advice would be to wait until you ...
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| chimney & flue | 10/18/2007 |
Q: We paid to have our chimney rebuilt above the roof line. Unfortunately the contractor hasn't came to ...
A: wow, sorry to hear about the problem you are having with you contractor, maybe you need to show up ...
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| Old heatilator?? | 10/17/2007 |
Q: We have an antique fireplace with the heatilator vents on either side (intake on bottom...pushes ...
A: it sounds like the Heatilator box (metal fire box) has a crack in it. Or some thing else has ...
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| B-vent surprise and chimney brushes | 10/16/2007 |
Q: I am in the middle of a new gas furnace replacement. It turns out the clay lined chimney has a 5" ...
A: if I understand what you have correctly some one installed a double wall B-vent pipe in the masonry ...
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| smoke from wood furnace | 10/14/2007 |
Q: We heat our house with a forced air wood furnace that has always let smoke out of the door when ...
A: It is very hard to tell from what you are describing here to answer this, but let me make a few ...
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| Chimney Liner for Wood stove insert | 10/14/2007 |
Q: I am looking into purchasing a wood stove insert (Napoleon EPI-1401) to place in an existing Wood ...
A: when you stick an insert into a fireplace with out lining to at least the fire flue tile (that is ...
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| smoke in house | 10/14/2007 |
Q: We have a 1972 home with an main floor and basement fireplace. Since we moved in 8 years ago, we ...
A: what you are describing is a common problem called “negative pressure” what that means is the house ...
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| Brick BBQ | 10/13/2007 |
Q: James, I plan to build a brick bbq. Just a simple 3 sided structure 2'x2' inside. I have done some ...
A: I have a old BBQ on my own patio that I removed and made into a fire pit (3 sid |
