Submitted by ed_in_Edmonton t3_10vk6uj in DIY
[removed]
Comments
-kilgoretrout- t1_j7i5qre wrote
As someone who just lost power in an ice storm for 4 days without a working fireplace, I’d say keep it. Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
AKADriver t1_j7idks2 wrote
There are lots of other ways to do emergency heat that aren't a big decorative permanent fireplace though.
Many high efficiency gas fireplaces have vent fans and need electricity to work also.
Pyro919 t1_j7izi0g wrote
How exactly?
AKADriver t1_j7j2ph0 wrote
There are portable indoor propane and kerosene heaters. Also there are wall mounted ones that vent outside but are basically just a slim box on the wall instead of a whole thing with a mantel and hearth.
And I'm not saying you can't have a whole thing with a mantel and a hearth if you want one, but if you don't want it, you can just have a blank unobtrusive white box on the wall.
FavoritesBot t1_j7irvg0 wrote
That kind of fireplace requires electricity to work though (might be able to start it with a lighter and batteries but not run the fan
0x600dc0de t1_j7jddf1 wrote
Are you certain? Ours is similar, has “milivolt” gas valve operation such that the power to switch it on is derived from the pilot light. And the fan was an option we never had installed, it heats the nearby space fine without it. In the pinch of a power outage, I’m sure it will provide some useful heat.
FavoritesBot t1_j7jwjcd wrote
I’m certain about the fan. Sure you could start it but it’s not going to be very efficient
ed_in_Edmonton OP t1_j7if0mb wrote
Wife doesn’t like it, that’s reason #1. The room is smaller than it looks like on that picture so it does take a bit of space. Most houses in the area do not have a fireplace in that room (usually main floor and basement) so it wouldn’t compromise resale value I guess.
But if it’s too much work then it will stay.
Sometimes_Stutters t1_j7ijfce wrote
Yeah I’d tell my wife to “get over it” lol. That’s a considerable project.
randomn49er t1_j7is8oe wrote
There will be a gasline to plug or cap. It will need to be leak tested after.
There will also be a large hole through the wall or roof for the vent. Roof one not so bad but a wall penetration is much harder to seal off and look nice depending on your siding.
Pissinsidemyasshole t1_j7iy3hm wrote
It probably also nicely heats that room. Is that snow I see on the roofs through the window? Keep that shit I just spent 10k installing one last year. If you don’t like the tile surround… just retile the surround.
anotherbabydaddy t1_j7j21xm wrote
Hard agree, we’ve lost power 3 separate times this winter…it’s far better to have it and not need it than the other way around. Plus, if space is an issue, I’d just move or replace the couch
Nwmn8r t1_j7hwuys wrote
Looks like gas with a blower fan so youll need both capped off/ add an outlet. It's possible it may have a fresh air vent going through the wall and you'll need some siding repair as well. It certainly could be removed diy and then some drywall, paint, and baseboard work will have it taken care of, but be prepared to get some help if it's beyond your skill set
ed_in_Edmonton OP t1_j7ifepi wrote
Thanks. I will look for the vents when I go for inspection. Paint and baseboard is ok, but drywall I have zero experience so that’s an area I may need help.
[deleted] t1_j7is24b wrote
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88leo t1_j7ivtw9 wrote
Trick is to prime it after first patch and sand as it pulls the dust out of the little pockets and shows where you need more mud.
waitingforwood t1_j7irsx9 wrote
Probably need help decommissioning the gas lines as well. You can buy fake permits on line if anyone asks.
PMmeyourdik-dikpics t1_j7iu1ct wrote
Fake permits is how people get other people killed.
waitingforwood t1_j7o5eyi wrote
DIY gas projects is how people kill their family members.
PMmeyourdik-dikpics t1_j7od59n wrote
Both are true.
waitingforwood t1_j7selh7 wrote
DIY web sites is how people get other people killed.
PMmeyourdik-dikpics t1_j7snglg wrote
No need to contribute the the problem.
waitingforwood t1_j7voy6k wrote
Your seeing the point only experiential education points out hence the need to make a point for others to point out.
Large___Marge t1_j7hxmrg wrote
Based on the photo it's likely they framed all that out, so you'll need to add drywall and floor trim for the sections of wall that you'll regain. You'll want to cap and seal the chimney, ideally at the top where it vents to atmosphere so you don't have any cold/hot most air condensing inside. Definitely cut off the gas. If it's electric, then I'd use that circuit to add an outlet in your new wall section.
ed_in_Edmonton OP t1_j7ifkam wrote
Thanks, that’s helpful.
AKADriver t1_j7idcei wrote
Looks like gas and probably just has a small vent pipe, not a flue.
whoisnotinmykitchen t1_j7il399 wrote
We did this exact removal in our last house and it wasn't too bad. All the items people are mentioning below are indeed what had to be done but it wasn't a ton of work.
The biggest problem is that the work that is required involves a lot of different skills, most of which i did not have so wound up having someone come in and do 90% of it. tuning up internal drywall and baseboards is pretty easy, but i definitely did not want to screw up my exterior wall.
... and of course you absolutely should not mess around with gas lines on your own.
uwillneverknowme t1_j7ifsj1 wrote
This is a "Direct Vent" fireplace. There will be a gas line that will have to be pulled back to its source. There will an electrical line that will need to be terminated. Also there is a 12" vent pipe poking out the side of the wall. So, you will need to fix the siding on the outside of the house as well as sheetrock, paint, and trim on the inside.
somedumbguy55 t1_j7is4v1 wrote
Seeing some comments here, my two cent is leave it, like you care what a stranger thinks though lol.
If it’s gas, you’ll need a fitter to cap the line, which means there is a fan so a wire would be there as well. You’ll have to rip out next and fix the outside where the fan was.
So you got :
Gas
Electrical
Drywall
Outside siding
Trim
Paint
Oh? And it’s on a corner so you will have a gap with the carpet.
Nigtinx t1_j7ix99u wrote
Great practice at telling your wife NO.
Lookalikemike t1_j7in7r0 wrote
You can do this. It's gonna be a pain, though. If it's a gas unit, find where it starts. Usually, in the boiler room. Hopefully, there is a valve and a union at the start of the run. Turn off the valve, disconnect the union, and cap the line. Best to start there because when you remove the unit, if there is a pipe sticking out of the wall, you can disconnect it with no worry of a gas leak in the wall after sealing the hole. I'd bet the facade around the unit is at best set in place and painted around, a small crowbar will do the trick. Then, look under the unit for where the piping comes in. Disconnect and remove any wall fasteners (doubt there are any). An extra set of hands will help. Also, cap the disconnected gas pipe. It's gonna smell. Good luck.
yegmoto t1_j7iqupc wrote
I have this same fireplace and in Edmonton. The mantle is colonial looking but the house is not so I removed the surrounding material. DM me and I will send you pics of how it mounts, connects to electrical and gas.
waitingforwood t1_j7iri0s wrote
Never had a gas outage. Electrical outages common. Gas fire place used as an emergency back up several times. Reface the fireplace easy DIY job. High heat paint for the metal trim. Will need a pipe fitter that has gas ticket to decommission the gas line. Termination holes exist that need to be filled in the foundation/siding etc... Will need an electrician to decommission the electrical. You will be left with an electrical cover plate on the wall or terminate with an outlet? Chimney, where is it? Does it run up the outside of the house past the roof or through it? The latter is probably as expensive as what either tradesman is going to charge.
insideoriginal t1_j7iu6z5 wrote
I’ve removed one of those before. The removal usually takes less than a day. It’s the repair to the wall, baseboard, floor, painting, etc that takes the most time. You’ll have to figure it for yourself, but it’s more than a weeks job. If you work 9-5, you’ll be doing this in the weekends and it will take you more than a month.
Also, don’t remove it. Use it. They are really nice to have.
Illustrious_Whole742 t1_j7iuq2o wrote
That looks like a gas fireplace, I do everything on my own with one exception. I don’t touch gas, there is to much insurance risk if something goes bad. Plumbers have insurance to cover your house if it blows up. You don’t. Hire a professional.
jungerfrosch t1_j7iv42r wrote
It is 100% possible to DIY the removal of this. Gas(if it's gas) can be capped, electric can simply be made into an outlet(assuming it's not already just plugged in), drywall patched/repaired/filled in.
Until you start pulling it apart it is hard to tell exactly what all it will entail though.
pandymic t1_j7iwmbd wrote
You might want to get an HVAC opinion on this to get an idea how removing this heat source will affect the overall climate of the space, especially cold Edmonton winters (based on your username). In some places a fireplace like that is purely decorative. In others, however, the appliance might be functioning as an extension to your central heating system.
Looks like a very large space to heat, considering the high ceilings. Make sure whatever else is heating that space has the capacity to do so without also putting extra stress on the rest of the house. Where is the thermostat in relation to this room? If there is a thermostat in the room is it wired to the central air system? Or is it wired to the fireplace?
I don't see any electric baseboard heaters under the window. Check whether that register ("vent") under the window is supplying heat or if it's an air return. How many total windows and registers are there around the room?
ed_in_Edmonton OP t1_j7j4kaf wrote
Most other houses in the area do not have a fireplace in this room (upstairs family/bonus room). Usually only on the main floor and sometimes in the basement. So I don’t think it’s required though it may be nice to have.
Dismal_Equivalent_68 t1_j7j0yy1 wrote
So you never need to make a fire? Gas isn’t so great but if you can light it when the power is out it is handy.
Jmofoshofosho8 t1_j7j31ct wrote
You could reframe it to the ceiling. Do rock or something to change the look and feel
SquirrelGod9000 t1_j7j33fd wrote
Removing it might also affect your resale value, just something to think about.
clickenouttahere t1_j7j5lrq wrote
Did it once ? Back breaking for those without construction experience. Secondly having a fireplace is better than not having it. I'd keep it unless absolutely not needed
No_Bass_9328 t1_j7j6dkn wrote
Gotta say, I know where your wife is coming from, it's kinda plug ugly, just stuck in corner like a pimple on your backside. That said, I would keep for timebeing and later conside taking down all the surround and mantle and then build it into floor to ceiling feature wall. Think it would turn a boring room into a pleasant den. I think it would addvalue to your house.
chopsuwe t1_j7j6n53 wrote
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JDEngle t1_j7ifv5s wrote
Easy, diy
sweet4poundbabyjesus t1_j7icy00 wrote
If you have to ask, you aren’t skilled enough. Hire someone or leave it alone.
Deftek178 t1_j7igh7k wrote
Lol, terrible attitude for a diy sub. If I was scared of asking or trying something new, our house would still be original 1970s with a dropped ceiling and fluorescent lights as far as the eye can see. Instead, it's 3 years later and I've redone the kitchen, a bunch of electrical, put lvp down throughout the entire floor, and refinished 2 bathrooms. All with no prior knowledge. We're living in the age of YouTube and reddit my man. Anyone can do this stuff with a little perseverance.
AKADriver t1_j7il1xw wrote
Removing stuff like this is way easier than properly installing it.
The only thing I'd farm out for a novice is making sure the gas line is properly disconnected and capped.
[deleted] t1_j7idwjf wrote
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very_humble t1_j7hyonz wrote
Playing devil's advocate, why unless it is broken why remove it? It's in a bonus room, tucked into a corner not taking up much space. It's also going to cost a ton to ever put back in