Expert: Bart Ogden - 12/13/2006

Question
The Appalachian 4n1-xl is for factory built or masonary.  I specifically checked with Heatilator, the pre-fab manufacturer, and they told me what I could remove and what I couldn't and they said it was fine to install an insert that was approved for pre-fab.  The pre-fab is an Heatilator Mark 123.  I have read online manuals for other inserts such as quadra fire and they talk about installing into pre-fab fireplaces and what to remove.  If there is something I am missing please let me know.  thanks
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Last year I installed a wood insert into a prefab fireplace.  I used the flexible SS liner.  When it came to hooking it up at the stove, we had a problem with the angle not right.  The liner did not want to bend enough to hook up to the reducer from the insert.  So we used a rigid 45 degree elbow and it seemed to go ok, but things still aren't matching up quite right because it is pulling the reducer up away from the stove on the front side.  It is reduced from 8 inch opening to 6 inch pipe.  The reducer is from the stove manufacturer.  So I tried to use furnace cement to fill in the cracks around the reducer, but this is not easy because of not being able to get your arm in there.  What I believe is happening is a slight leak at this junction causing reduced draft and a slight "wood" smell coming from the blower vent.  So how do I get this angle right and everything to match up?  What is the best furnace cement?  Also since this was double wall prefab pipe before, what is  the best top cap to use for this application?  Thanks for your help.
-----Answer-----
Hi Landon,

The wood insert should never have been installed in the prefab fireplace.  Factory Built fireplace manufacturers do NOT allow this type of installation!

It is now officially a potentially dangerous situation.

My advice is to remove the insert from the fireplace before any further use.

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

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

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

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


Answer
Hi Landon,

If Heatilator Technical Support (the factory, not a retail store or a distributor) will supply that OK in writing, I would approve of the installation of that particular insert in that particular fireplace.

I've never seen that OK'd in writing by any manufacturer, only by the insert producers.

My advice is still to remove the insert from the fireplace before any further use.

As such, I simply can't advise you on what I feel to be a sub-standard installation and a potential fire hazard.

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

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

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

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