Fixing a fireplace

[barrysuperhawk]

I have 2 fireplaces in my house, one in my living room that has been converted to Gas, and one in the basement that is standard wood burning. I haven't had to use either of them since I bought my house. I am pretty sure the gas log in the living room works, I just need to clean it. The Basement is a different story, the damper seems to be rusted shut. I went to the local "fireplace" store and they werent willing to look at or even provide any service on equipment they didn't install. I don't blame them, but it leaves me with a dilema of who to call to help me make sure I don't burn my house down.

So, I need to either learn about fireplaces - and how the heck I can unstick my damper or get parts if I need them, or learn what business I actually need to call for some help. Opinions?

 

[jlv03]

Any chimney sweeps in the area?

 

[The Cobbler]

find a local independent gas guy to inspect the gas fireplace.
and I second the chimney sweep post above

 

[kaymccampbell]

Either call the chimney sweep, or learn a few new skills. I went for the latter.

 

[Uncle murph]

I have 2 fireplaces in my house, one in my living room that has been converted to Gas, and one in the basement that is standard wood burning. I haven't had to use either of them since I bought my house. I am pretty sure the gas log in the living room works, I just need to clean it. The Basement is a different story, the damper seems to be rusted shut. I went to the local "fireplace" store and they werent willing to look at or even provide any service on equipment they didn't install. I don't blame them, but it leaves me with a dilema of who to call to help me make sure I don't burn my house down.

So, I need to either learn about fireplaces - and how the heck I can unstick my damper or get parts if I need them, or learn what business I actually need to call for some help. Opinions?

The damper is held in place by gravity,there are no hinges in the traditional sense.The fact that it won’t open probably means that there are years of accumulated crud and dead animals on top of it,usually if you push hard enough it will move and you can gradually work it open.Be careful though,its almost certainly made of cast so be sure use scrap of 2x4 to spread the load when working on it,if you break it you might find it to be difficult or impossible to replace.

 

[19D2P]

Possible it has been sealed up?

 

[Jackfre]

If you go with a chimney sweep, which I would agree is the correct move, make sure you get a sweep who is a member of the “Nat’l Chimney Sweep Guild.” Attempting got “learn about fireplaces” without the ability to tell how the whole system is set up is asking for trouble. The system needs an thorough inspection before you put any money into the fireplace. Fiddling with the damper if the flue itself is bad is a waste of time

 

[gmcgeo]

I think you can get a replacement damper kit, depending on what it is. or put a gas log set in the basement and forget about wood all together.

 

[barrysuperhawk]

OK, all good points/questions:
#1 I seriously doubt the previous owner would have put ANY money into sealing anything up, because she was the original owner and like 900 years old when she croaked. The house DID have roots get into the sewer that flooded the basement and forced her to have a remediation (everything below 4' removed, paint studs with that white mold paint) done. There is nothing about the fireplace on that invoice.
#2 I considered a gas log for downstairs also, but given recent world events, I like that I have the ability to use either Gas or wood for some heat. Long term I might go with a more efficient setup like an insert with a blower, but there are a dozen projects that precede that in importance. In the meantime I just have a couple of bread trays that have been polished a little and can be put in back as a half-*** reflector. No where near perfect, but they would help in a pinch...
#3 Normally I am good with learning a new skill, but if this thing really is a unicorn, I don't want to break it "figuring it out" as I may have trouble replacing it / Getting parts. Once I have everything working, then I may buy the brush and poles and learn how to do my own cleanout.
#4 @gmcgeo any idea where to look for replacements? I called the HVAC place in town and they laughed at me, and the fireplace shop was uninterested unless I was spending $$$$ on an insert...

 

[gmcgeo]

You can get a damper kit on line. figure out what style you have and then search dampers online to see what you can find