Island fireplace/chimney repair/mason?

codeman671 · 09-09-2020, 04:24 PM

We have a brick fireplace with a steel liner that is rusted out, the damper is shot, and a lot of bricks are loose at the hearth (yeah, a real gem!). Looking to have it looked at, made operational again and refaced in stone with a new hearth and mantle.

Any suggestions?

We did talk to Fire N' Stone, they lost our number the first time I called in July and now can't look at it for another month, with potential work being next season should we accept. Not thrilled so far.

Hillcountry · 09-10-2020, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

We have a brick fireplace with a steel liner that is rusted out, the damper is shot, and a lot of bricks are loose at the hearth (yeah, a real gem!). Looking to have it looked at, made operational again and refaced in stone with a new hearth and mantle.

Any suggestions?

We did talk to Fire N' Stone, they lost our number the first time I called in July and now can't look at it for another month, with potential work being next season should we accept. Not thrilled so far.

We stopped at Fire n Stone a couple weeks ago lookin at propane stoves and they clearly seemed like they were going through some sort of down phase. No new product on display nor sale. I have had repair work done by them a few years back...not so sure they are in a good way there.

Descant · 09-10-2020, 01:21 PM

We had a Heatilator Fireplace when we first built. Basically a metal firebox with air chambers incorporated behind the fire box. Fans circulate air through the chambers and into the room. Great product, but it rusted out. A contractor doing other work offered to fix it by removing and bricking it up like a real fireplace. We didn't know, or ask, but Heatilator made a replacement kit for just this situation. Big mistake on our part.
Now, to do it again, I'd go for a fireplace insert and new stainless steel stovepipe so you don't have to re-line the chimney. Chances are, if your chimney has ceramic tile, it may not be in good condition, collecting lots of creosote.

codeman671 · 09-10-2020, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

We had a Heatilator Fireplace when we first built. Basically a metal firebox with air chambers incorporated behind the fire box. Fans circulate air through the chambers and into the room. Great product, but it rusted out. A contractor doing other work offered to fix it by removing and bricking it up like a real fireplace. We didn't know, or ask, but Heatilator made a replacement kit for just this situation. Big mistake on our part.
Now, to do it again, I'd go for a fireplace insert and new stainless steel stovepipe so you don't have to re-line the chimney. Chances are, if your chimney has ceramic tile, it may not be in good condition, collecting lots of creosote.

Ours may be a similar setup. It has a steel liner and there are vents on each side of the fireplace I haven't found a fan though.

TheProfessor · 09-10-2020, 07:51 PM

Look up the name Huston.
There are two generations doing masonry work in the Lakes Region.
Don't think that they advertise - as word of mouth keeps them occupied with jobs.

winni83 · 09-10-2020, 10:04 PM

Ditto on the Huston brothers for masonry and fireplace work. Bob Huston did the stonework for our entry way and the rock gas fireplace surround with bluestone mantel and hearth. A true craftsman.

BroadHopper · 09-11-2020, 09:40 AM

You can't go wrong with Joe! The Bahre mansion is a good example.

https://www.stonemtnmasonry.com/contact

09-09-2020, 04:24 PM	#1
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,604 Thanks: 223 Thanked 856 Times in 519 Posts	Island fireplace/chimney repair/mason? We have a brick fireplace with a steel liner that is rusted out, the damper is shot, and a lot of bricks are loose at the hearth (yeah, a real gem!). Looking to have it looked at, made operational again and refaced in stone with a new hearth and mantle. Any suggestions? We did talk to Fire N' Stone, they lost our number the first time I called in July and now can't look at it for another month, with potential work being next season should we accept. Not thrilled so far.

09-10-2020, 01:21 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,597 Thanks: 1,418 Thanked 1,705 Times in 1,109 Posts	Heatalator? We had a Heatilator Fireplace when we first built. Basically a metal firebox with air chambers incorporated behind the fire box. Fans circulate air through the chambers and into the room. Great product, but it rusted out. A contractor doing other work offered to fix it by removing and bricking it up like a real fireplace. We didn't know, or ask, but Heatilator made a replacement kit for just this situation. Big mistake on our part. Now, to do it again, I'd go for a fireplace insert and new stainless steel stovepipe so you don't have to re-line the chimney. Chances are, if your chimney has ceramic tile, it may not be in good condition, collecting lots of creosote.

09-11-2020, 09:40 AM	#7
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,667 Thanks: 3,282 Thanked 1,132 Times in 814 Posts	Stone Mountain Masonry You can't go wrong with Joe! The Bahre mansion is a good example. https://www.stonemtnmasonry.com/contact __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

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09-10-2020, 07:51 PM	#5
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,164 Thanks: 17 Thanked 357 Times in 214 Posts	Look up the name Huston. There are two generations doing masonry work in the Lakes Region. Don't think that they advertise - as word of mouth keeps them occupied with jobs.

09-10-2020, 10:04 PM	#6
winni83 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 439 Thanks: 17 Thanked 218 Times in 138 Posts	Ditto on the Huston brothers for masonry and fireplace work. Bob Huston did the stonework for our entry way and the rock gas fireplace surround with bluestone mantel and hearth. A true craftsman.