Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.
If our community has helped you, please consider making a contribution to support this website. Thanks!

Chimney separating from House

Options
topretailventure
topretailventure Member Posts: 1
edited November 19 in Chimneys & Flues

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

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,611

    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
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,574

    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?

    Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 1.58.08 PM.png

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,840

    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…

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,574

    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.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    mattmia2
  • dandub1960
    dandub1960 Member Posts: 53
    edited November 19

    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?)

    Steward to 1923 Spanish revival near Chicago - 2 pipe steam 650 EDR shiny new Peerless 63-06

Categories