Fireplace Directory

Archive for July, 2010

We just moved into a historic two story home and the previous owners allowed English Ivy to overtake one chimney. The chimney isn’t even visible because the ivy is so thick. It’s growing inside our windows, and I’m sure it’s going down the chimney from the top. I need a QUICK, CHEAP solution. I’ve been pulling the ivy off where I can reach but I can’t reach any further up without a taller ladder or climbing on the roof. Anyhow, any advice would be much appreciated!!!

Gey a copy of the local Thrifty Nickle or Pennysaver (or whatever that advertisement newspaper is called that they give away in the lobby of the grocery store and at the laundrymat) and look for handyman.

Anyone who advertises in there will work cheap.

First, cut the ivy at the ground to kill it. It will eventually dry up and die on the chimney. DIG UP THE ROOTS!

They need to climb up there and strip the ivy all the way off. It’s pretty invasive, and can get into little chinks in the morter, so you may want a brick mason to look at the Chimney after the ivy’s gone.

It will also leave marks on the brick and on the paint where it was on the windows. Clean with a bleach solution.

A couple of days ago I noticed there was some bees in my house and more and more came so I took a look outside around my house and noticed there was a swarm of bees on the top of they Chimney opening outside. Would firing up the fire place to make smoke drive them away for good? or will it drive them away for a while? or will it not work at all?

Firing it up might take care of it.

I have one caution though. Is the chimney blocked by the bees yet? Could fill you home up with smoke.

Try the fire, but don’t start out with a full load of wood and kindling. Just light newspaper pages one at a time to be sure the flue is going to draft before you commit to a larger fire.

G’luck!

My brick chimney cracked during an earthquake years ago. I removed the loose bricks to the roof level and covered the hole with plywood since we never use the Fireplace. Now i want to fix it so it looks like a chimney. Other than rebuilding the bricks, whats a good way to fix it up? it sticks out of the middle of the roof, not the side of the house.

You should call a professional. There are several options to repair it and make it safe. 1. Rebuild with brick. 2. Line the Chimney with a stainless flue and build a wood chase above the existing brick to bring it to height. I don’t think either option is a DIY project.

a wood Pellet Stove
i am not asking how to clean it!
At a job my dad was asked to clean a pellet stove, not involving the company, just from him. So he was wondering how much should he charge the guy? So it won’t be too much or to little.

My brother in law had one in his last house. And his kids cleaned them for close to ten years. The oldest is 17, the twins are 13..

Just take out the ashes and usea soft brush to remove any carbon.

If it has a long chimney use a special Chimney sweeping log to clean out the creosote and flue pipes.

The house is over a century old and the Chimney is completely walled in, except in the basement and attic, there is no fireplace. I would estimate 40′ tall. We were told it was in bad shape (crumbling) and had it capped. We would like to make renovations to our kitchen and bathroom and could use this extra space. The house has another chimney with a Fireplace that we are keeping.

Clare, Question? Do you have a furnace? If so the flue for that chimney that is capped off could be the only way your furnace can let the CO2 out of your house. That and your water heater. Please make sure your furnace and water heater has a way for the CO2 to escape. CO2 poisoning is very dangerous !!! Just thought you might want to know first before you cap anything off or remove it. If not any of these possibilities then rent about 40′ of scaffold, and take it down from the top down. Good Luck with your project ! Also a note; Sometimes these old houses have bearing points that are built into the stone work. Make sure when taking it down you have something to carry the roof,floor joists, beams,etc."permanently", that will keep your house from falling on top of you while you take it down. You might want to call your local building dept. for some advise.

Not a screen, but a decorative piece that would fit tightly inside the fireplace opening to block it off. I googled "fireplace insert" but keep getting gas Fireplaces.

Really, Not a screen? Perhaps a damper? A screen is put in front of the fireplace when not in use but does not block it off. You’re looking for a plug of some sort? Google fireplace plug.

Any suggestions? Brands? wood vs. electric? Size recommendations?

coal fire pits are good as they double up as bbq’s as well and look really contemporary i wouldnt buy electric as they cost a fortune the other alternative is a patio heater that uses gas but they are very harsh looking – personally a fire pit is cosy and if it has enough space arount the rim it can double up as a table for drinks as you cosy round it

try any DIY stores no particular make is better than the other just make sure its rust proof if you are buying a metal one