Decomission a fireplace

[dnwong]

I need to decommission a fireplace to allow for a garage to be built in its place. I have never used the fireplace the 3 years we lived here and cost to relocate the exhaust is expensive.

Other than turning off the valve, what other activities should I do?

1. Unhook gas line and cap?
2. Cap Exhaust vent?

My goal is to leave it physically located for now since there is a lot of moulding around the surround and I might change it out to something ventless or electric in the future.

 

[77thor]

Just disconnect the gas line and cap it.

 

[Jackfre]

If that gas line is to be abandoned and construction is going on adjoining that wall I would suggest removing the line. Is there a shutoff where this line originates? If not one should be added that is accessible. Then disconnect and cap the line at that new valve location. That way the line is dead. Turning off the valve at the end of the line leaves it open to damage in the future and the line, while not in use, is still live. It is amazing what people forget at times.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Before you remove the complete line consider adding gas heat to shop with that line. I notice you are in Virginia and that would make the shop/garage a lot more comfortable for 5 or so months a year.

 

[ctfjr]

If that gas line is to be abandoned and construction is going on adjoining that wall I would suggest removing the line. Is there a shutoff where this line originates? If not one should be added that is accessible. Then disconnect and cap the line at that new valve location. That way the line is dead. Turning off the valve at the end of the line leaves it open to damage in the future and the line, while not in use, is still live. It is amazing what people forget at times.

^^^^
this

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would want the line capped to prevent future accidents. You might be amazed at the odd stuff that happens from time to time in homes.

 

[dnwong]

If that gas line is to be abandoned and construction is going on adjoining that wall I would suggest removing the line. Is there a shutoff where this line originates? If not one should be added that is accessible. Then disconnect and cap the line at that new valve location. That way the line is dead. Turning off the valve at the end of the line leaves it open to damage in the future and the line, while not in use, is still live. It is amazing what people forget at times.

Actually construction is pretty much done in this area. The back of the fireplace is in the garage and I don't want to reroute the exhaust.

 

[dnwong]

Before you remove the complete line consider adding gas heat to shop with that line. I notice you are in Virginia and that would make the shop/garage a lot more comfortable for 5 or so months a year.

So, I was going to leave the line there just in case I want garage heater. Althogth I already have portable Heat-Pump/AC unit planned for the space.

 

[dnwong]

Where is the best place to cap it. A plug in the shut-off valve or a cap at the end of the flex hose where it connects to the fireplace.

 

[LXCam]

At a minimum cap it before the flex line in the hard line. The flex line is substantially more prone to damage.

 

[NUTTSGT]

At a minimum cap it before the flex line in the hard line. The flex line is substantially more prone to damage.

I would tend to agree.

By chance, is there a a valve where the supply line is teed off the main branch ?

 

[dnwong]

Only on the incoming main feed. There is a regulator be the black stand.

 

[dfiler2]

I would cap it at that manifold, it appears the fireplace has been venting into the garage. No matter what, this unit should not be used again as it is.

 

[Ironhorse74]

That fireplace is in a bump out. I bet in two hours you could remove the dog house and the fireplace.

I work for a gas fireplace manufacturer. When assessing liability for anything the question we and UL always ask is "What will the next homowner do?"

In this case you will disconnect the gas line and everything is hunky dory. You sell the house and the new home owner comes along hooks it back up and pumps exhaust and carbon monoxide into the garage.

Just my .02

 

[dnwong]

That fireplace is in a bump out. I bet in two hours you could remove the dog house and the fireplace.

I work for a gas fireplace manufacturer. When assessing liability for anything the question we and UL always ask is "What will the next homowner do?"

In this case you will disconnect the gas line and everything is hunky dory. You sell the house and the new home owner comes along hooks it back up and pumps exhaust and carbon monoxide into the garage.

Just my .02

Unfortunately, there is quite a bit of molding and trim work around the fireplace on the other side. So, tearing it all out would require redoing that whole wall...

 

[APEowner]

I too would cap at the manifold.

 

[Ironhorse74]

I think that is an HHT (Heat n Glo or Heatilator) cap. If there is not a second floor, you ma5 be able to remove the cap put on a vertical elbow and take the pipe up through the roof. The first step is to find the manual for that fireplace.