You need to be well prepared before you start the project. Have a gas fireplace and there are about 1 inch gaps all along the fireplace to the brick - see photo. you get some hi-temperature sealant for same, inject into the area it is to fill so that it covers stone and the metal assembly. All you have to do now is wait for the caulk to harden and create a solid seal before using the fireplace. 4.2 out of 5 stars 141. Cut two-inch foam to the shape of the opening; subtract about an 1/8- to 1/4-inch around all sides to leave room for wrapping with material. It is made up of firebricks and mortar, which are designed to withstand high heat. If for some reason you are concerned about high heat in this area, there is a fire rated caulk made especially for gaps in fire or common walls. When surveying the interior of the fireplace, I noticed the installation bracket for the glass doors on the front of the fireplace stuck out inside the fireplace. There is also a gap between the top front edge of the firebox and the brick. 4.6 out of 5 stars 839. Using the loaded caulk gun, lay down a bead of caulk to seal any and all gaps that you find. Should the insert be damaged or not properly reinstalled, the potential for fire hazard increases. From the outside there is a fresh air intake on the chimney and there is a metal chimney exiting the top of the old stucco chimney. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Here's How to Fix a Drafty Fireplace. Lie on your back facing up into the fireplace and look at the top of the fireplace surround. Once applied, the sealed cement makes removing the insert for routine maintenance nearly impossible. If you discover this type of situation in your home, you'll need an appropriate sealant that closes these gaps. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. While a fireplace is a source of beauty and warmth in the cold weather, the heat generated from a fire will take its toll on the fireplace over time. According to Northline Express, you can then spray a hearth or masonry brick cleaner onto the firebrick as long as your firebricks are less than 50 years old. Tired of your drafty fireplace? 09. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be The best way to stop fireplace drafts is to seal up your fireplace opening by installing Draft Decor's Flue-zee Flue Covers, Magnetic Vent Covers or Termination Cap Covers. suggestions. Next, you should lay down an old blanket or plastic sheet to protect your clothing and the floor in front of the fireplace. If you seal the fireplace surround properly, you do not have to worry about the soot staining your brick. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Doing a fireplace remodel and after tearing out the wall etc... Fireplace remodel - tiling metal surround. Check all corners properly. Clearance for air circulation beneath the fireplace insert is provided by three rubber feet (FIGURE 1). DO NOT INSTALL THE FIREPLACE INSERT DIRECTLY ON CARPET OR SIMILAR SURFACES WHICH MAY RESTRICT AIR CIRCULATION. Fireplace Update Idea: Paint the brass surround. It will seal any air leaks you may find in your fireplace surround. How? 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Without one, the flue liner (which should be insulated) and the stove will try to heat the mass of masonry that is exposed to the outdoors. Refractory cement is highly heat resistant and virtually eliminates the need for replacement; however, should you go this route, it's best not to use the cement directly between the masonry and the insert. There are two kinds of drafts - … The best time to do this is when it is summer or just before the cold weather sets in. This is an easy job and only takes a few minutes. I've noticed it when it's not in use, especially at night but it seems inconsistent and not necessarily predictable by the temperature or audible wind. Check the width of the edge bumper (the one I used is 1/4 inch) and subtract that amount from three sides of the fireplace opening measurements. Installing a top sealing damper will ensure the fireplace and chimney will make a 100% seal. Seal around the insert using neoprene backer rod insulation. How to Install a Travertine Fireplace Su... How to Install a Travertine Fireplace Surround. Heat, though, can often be lost not only via drafts coming down a flue but also from small gaps and crevices between a fireplace and its insert, a decorative barrier added for safety. Kirk Maltbee is a freelance writer based in southwestern Virginia. This can result in a significant cooling of the stove and large heat loss. Website operating Drafty Fireplace. Most brass surrounds have pieces that are removable. The existing surround was ... Clean Fireplace Brick: How to Remove Paint. Load the caulk gun. Although the plating is more attractive than other alternatives, it is extremely difficult to close the gap between the fireplace face and the insert completely, thus allowing heat to escape and cold air to enter. Because most traditional fireplace dampers leak, it is important to seal your fireplace flue when your fireplace is not in use. This will keep the fireplace looking as good as new and you walls will be stain free. Fitting a concrete fire back and preparing the fireplace opening. With this silicate cement, use a generous supply to fill in the gaps. Mark the cut lines on your pegboard material. In some homes, small strips of metal plating are used both to seal an insert and to add more of a decorative touch to a room. home improvement and repair website. 99. Seal the joints and seams of the … Lean your head into the fireplace and look for any gaps all around the edges of the surround and the bricks. Laying A brick surround on a metal fireplace. Lay the pegboard on top of the excess foam insulation and set the saw blade depth just below the pegboard. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. We had a wood stove installed i... We bought this house and realized the last homeowner attempted to DIY alot ... Stacked stone fireplace surround on this? After the caulk has cured, it can be painted to match the trim. its just a fiberglass rope. View our Privacy Policy here. Available at many hardware and home improvement stores, small rolls of fiberglass-based stripping can be cut to size and applied in noticeable gaps between an insert and the masonry on the outside face of a fireplace, underneath the insert. Also, get the tools mentioned above handy to smoothly complete the project. If you intend on using it in the future, install an insert constructed out of 2" rigid foam board glued to MDF. 1. Thanks in advance. It is recommended that you use Fireplace Repair Caulk to caulk the gaps. Copyright© This depends largely on the configuration of your fireplace insert. Direct vent fireplaces will use a pane of tempered or ceramic glass to seal the combustion chamber from the room. All rights reserved. After the new fireplace insert and chimney are installed, seal the enclosure by placing a sheet-metal fire stop around the chimney pipe where it enters the firebox. Room temperature air enters the box around the firebox, heat is transferred to this air, and it exits -- significantly warmer, … This video show a seemingly well sealed fireplace leaking profusely during an air testing. Cut the pegboard to size. First, start by doing a thorough inspection of the fireplace surround. You may freely link A sealant around a fireplace insert keeps drafts out and heat in. If you are concerned that the fireplace door might be leaking cold winter air or allowing smoke into your home, you can replace the seal on it. Lie on your back facing up into the fireplace and look at the top of the fireplace surround. In the winter (Alberta) we get huge drafts coming in the grills of our gas fireplace insert. The rigid foam I used to seal the fireplace was an inch and a half thick, and I was able to buy it in 4′ x 2′ pieces for $4.15 each. If installing the fireplace in a carpeted area, place a one-piece, solid, flat surface under the fireplace insert. You will need to seal any gaps you find. This caulk sets hard and it comes black in color. Get it as soon as Mon, Feb 8. I have some fire grade caulk sealant but the gap is a little too large to just use that. We have a line of Fiberglass Insulation that are ideal for adding a seal around your fireplace door. If it has been used recently wait a couple of days for it to cool off. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficient Fireplaces. Using the loaded caulk gun, lay down a bead of caulk to seal any and all gaps that you find. Red Devil 0466 Fireplace & Stove Repair Sealant, 1-Pack, Black. the best way to this is with fiberglass gasketing, sometimes called door rope. Once you are satisfied, feel free to enjoy the fireplace. Our rolls of insulation are 1.5 - 2 inches wide, 10-11 feet long, 1-2 inches thick (not compressed). Load the caulk gun. Try one of these permanent or temporary solutions to eliminate your fireplace draft. I am re-doing a hearth and surround. It can create quite a mess if this happens. A former licensed massage therapist, Maltbee has also spent considerable time as both an ACE- and NASM-certified personal fitness trainer. Fill in large cracks between the insert and the fireplace stones with fire-resistant insulation. We welcome your comments and To allow the fireplace to receive air for combustion, a double-walled vent pipe will be used. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Thought about mortar, but someone said it would crack and maybe crumble out. Can I use oven cleaner to clean fireplace brick? Depending on how much the fireplace is used, the fiberglass strips will need to be replaced every time the fireplace is scheduled for maintenance cleaning in order for the striping to maintain its effectiveness. , fiberglass sealant strips are the most common sealant used in a significant cooling of the excess foam and... Leading independent home improvement and Repair website such as the Victorian fireplace Shop from... Above the surround tube will pull combustion air from outside by creating an account you agree to the atmosphere while! To smoothly complete the project heated air in your home from escaping and... Combustion, a double-walled vent pipe will be stain free to harden and create a solid before! 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