Chimney separating from House

topretailventure

We have an existing masonry fireplace that previously had a coal insert installed by the former owners. After removing the insert, we discovered several loose bricks inside the firebox, and we also noticed that the firebox is separated from the surrounding masonry by about 1.5 inches. We were planning to redo the masonry and install gas logs, but when the mason inspected it, he said the chimney is beginning to separate from the house. According to him, the chimney would need to be taken down and rebuilt if we want to install a vented gas-log system.

He also mentioned that there may be newer types of gas logs that can vent horizontally through an exterior wall rather than through a full-height chimney.

My questions are:

1. Is there actually a gas-log or gas-fireplace system that can be vented directly out the wall, without needing a traditional chimney?
2. If not, and the chimney does need to be completely rebuilt, do you have a rough idea of what such a project typically costs

mattmia2

There are numerous systems that vent out the sidewall.

If the chimney is separating that much there is probably a problem with the foundation under the chimney, it should all be one foundation with the house.

EdTheHeaterMan

Here are about 20 to choose from https://www.woodlanddirect.com/direct-vent-fireplaces/

See the vent directly behind the fireplace in this installation illustrtion?

Jamie Hall

Agree with @mattmia2 — if this is a reasonably modern house — concrete foundations — that much separation of a masonry chimney from the firebox indicates some real foundation problems (note that in a much older house, it doesn't). To be safe, the chimney — and firebox — will need to be taken down and rebuilt on a safe foundation. You ask pricing — we don't do pricing here, but it will be into the inexpensive new car range…

EdTheHeaterMan

You ask pricing — we don't do pricing here, but it will be into the inexpensive new car range…

And you don't even get to drive it out of the neighborhood. Only your neighbors will get to look at it.

dandub1960

Most fireplaces are pretty bad as heating appliances. They're really more of an ambience thing. The side vents often are sealed combustion, so flames behind glass, negating a lot of the ambience add. On an open fireplace any power venting appliance (or even a chimney vented boiler) may reverse the flow in your fireplace flue. Even property assessors don't consider fireplace a valued accessory anymore. Maybe throw some candles and such in there and save your money for something else (smallish car?)