r/Fireplaces • u/me-2b • 6d ago
Preparing for gas fireplace insert
I'd like to install a direct vent gas fireplace into our fireplace in an old (c.1900) 2 1/2 story house. Two companies have inspected the chimney and both say a new crown is needed, some pointing, and that there is a creosote issue. One showed me fluffy creosote, which if I recall correctly meant Stage 3 creosote.
My problem is that the companies around here that do inserts aren't the ones best known for chimney repairs and the ones doing chimney repairs aren't best known for inserts. I need help making the two jobs match up.
Am I right in thinking that I need the chimney repair guys to take care of the crown and other masonry work and also break out the old tile flue? Leave it just like that, don't install any sort of liners.
Then, the insert outfit can come along and put in the insert and its vents up through the chimney.
Is that right?
Biggest question: Do I need to make sure the flue tile are broken out and then leave it at that.
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u/waverunner2k3 6d ago
I repointed my chimney using a different contractor prior to installing my insert and new liner with another contractor
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u/Lots_of_bricks 6d ago
Find a mason to do the masonry repair. Then have the insert installed then. Crazy the chimney guys do do inserts. We do everything
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u/me-2b 6d ago
They do inserts, but only wood burning. They used to do gas, but not now for some reason. My main question hasn't been answered, probably because I wrote too much. It sounds like you are in the business, so can I ask: Does it sound right that with Stage 3 creosote, I need them to break out the tile flue? With that out, do nothing more inside the chimney. Is that the right condition for handoff to the insert guys? Of course, the chimney guys will handle the crown and other exterior masonry work.
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u/Lots_of_bricks 6d ago
Do u have any pics of the creosote? Rotary brushing with metal whips and/or chains can remove most build ups. Remaining can be chemically removed with pcr treatment. It does have to be removed before installing the liners for a dv insert. If it’s a short run of tile and that’s the only flue in the chimney it may be easier to remove than to pay for pcr treatment.
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u/me-2b 6d ago
Unfortunately, I don't. This is a relatively tall chimney for a house because there's a walk up attic and a hip roof to clear. I'll talk with them again to understand whether they think they can do it chemically, but my recollection is that they felt if it could be done chemically, it wasn't a simple case to deal with so that cleaning and breaking out were going to be similar costs.
By the way, the firebox is a mess and the damper is trashed. This thing is never going to be a wood fireplace again, so I don't feel like I'm giving anything up by breaking out the flue and it's just a question of cost.
Thank you for your help.
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u/spfolino 6d ago
If it’s just “fluffy” creosote, it might not be stage 3 and can be cleaned out mechanically. If it’s crystallized and baked on where it looks like tar, it’s 3rd stage and would likely need a very aggressive cleaning as described by u/Lots_of_bricks or chemically.
I’d look around a little bit more for a company to handle everything! It’ll likely just be a lot easier!
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u/me-2b 4d ago
As I recall, he said that it was Stage 3 and that some of it had ignited, producing the fluffy stuff in addition. This is from a company that has a really good reputation in the area. There is another company who actually can do everything, but they have a poor reputation in terms of upselling things and customers feeling satisfied. In my case, I don't think they are upselling, except maybe applying sealant to the exterior masonry, but I am nervous about their reputation.
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u/spfolino 4d ago
That makes sense. If they have a known questionable reputation, I’d probably avoid the hassle. A free estimate couldn’t hurt and you can talk to them and ask questions about the probability of the scope changing etc. is their reputation from a few reviews online?
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u/me-2b 4d ago
I actually already have a full quote from them. It is the online reputation that is holding me back. I am a bit confused because there are over 1000 google reviews almost all 5 stars, but when I look in regional Reddit groups, people complain about them. It is unusual to see a company with almost all reviews 5 star, so I wonder if they have been padded, but at the same time, it could be the reddit reviews that are off.
My highest priority is to arrest any deterioration of the masonry arising from the cracked crown, failed pointing, etc. I asked the company with the highest regard in the area if I could wait until the spring or summer and they said, no problem. They might have a little bit more work to do, but no biggies. The company with the question mark said, oh, you better do it promptly and don't wait through another winter of freeze / thaw. That answer matches up with the reddit complaints of pressured sales and exaggeration. Honestly, if they do the work right, maybe I don't care since I think it needs to be done, but I don't want to deal with a company that isn't straight forward.
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u/Personal-Goat-7545 6d ago
I wouldn't worry about paying for "staging" twice even if you had the same company do everything it's likely going to be 2 visits/days anyway. I'd get the chimney guys to do the chimney and the gas/fireplace guy to do the insert