Red Devil 0466 Fireplace & Stove Repair Sealant, 1-Pack, Black. Drafty Fireplace. Can I use oven cleaner to clean fireplace brick? Kirk Maltbee is a freelance writer based in southwestern Virginia. I can't seem to find anything online of how to best seal this area. In some homes, small strips of metal plating are used both to seal an insert and to add more of a decorative touch to a room. Load the caulk gun. If you intend on using it in the future, install an insert constructed out of 2" rigid foam board glued to MDF. Seal around the insert using neoprene backer rod insulation. After the caulk has cured, it can be painted to match the trim. Our rolls of insulation are 1.5 - 2 inches wide, 10-11 feet long, 1-2 inches thick (not compressed). home improvement and repair website. To replace the seal, remove the old gasket, vacuum the gasket channel to remove any debris, and follow the product instructions to … Lie on your back facing up into the fireplace and look at the top of the fireplace surround. Here are a few simple steps that will help you to seal that surround and keep it from leaking. 4.2 out of 5 stars 141. Installing a top sealing damper will ensure the fireplace and chimney will make a 100% seal. I've noticed it when it's not in use, especially at night but it seems inconsistent and not necessarily predictable by the temperature or audible wind. These are measured to fit the opening of your fireplace and set in the opening as a decorative sealing cover for the fireplace. Once the caulk is hard and set, check once again for any gaps left. This caulk sets hard and it comes black in color. The fireplace surround may need to be sealed if you find that heat and soot are escaping from gaps between the fireplace and the bricks. Depending on how much the fireplace is used, the fiberglass strips will need to be replaced every time the fireplace is scheduled for maintenance cleaning in order for the striping to maintain its effectiveness. Install the fireplace and chimney and closure framing. Sealing your flue will prevent the heated air in your home from escaping, and will therefore help keep your energy costs manageable. Draft Decor products compliment each other and are versatile, too! This helps your unit work more effectively. Lay the pegboard on top of the excess foam insulation and set the saw blade depth just below the pegboard. Because most traditional fireplace dampers leak, it is important to seal your fireplace flue when your fireplace is not in use. 99. Cover the hearth with an old blanket. With this silicate cement, use a generous supply to fill in the gaps. Top sealing dampers get installed at the top of the chimney and since the damper is far away from the fire, ... A fireplace insert, such as a Napoleon wood stove, are made to be airtight. Using the loaded caulk gun, lay down a bead of caulk to seal any and all gaps that you find. We have a line of Fiberglass Insulation that are ideal for adding a seal around your fireplace door. you get some hi-temperature sealant for same, inject into the area it is to fill so that it covers stone and the metal assembly. Now that you have applied the silicate bead of caulking, use your finger or putty knife to spread it over the gaps to create a seal tight enough to close the gaps between the brick and the fireplace surround. All rights reserved. The best way to stop fireplace drafts is to seal up your fireplace opening by installing Draft Decor's Flue-zee Flue Covers, Magnetic Vent Covers or Termination Cap Covers. I have some fire grade caulk sealant but the gap is a little too large to just use that. There was an old fireplace in our cabin. They help increase the efficiency of your fireplace doors as well as preventing gas and smoke from escaping into your living space. Using the loaded caulk gun, lay down a bead of caulk to seal any and all gaps that you find. If installing the fireplace in a carpeted area, place a one-piece, solid, flat surface under the fireplace insert. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to dramatically increase the heat output of a wood-burning fireplace. the best way to this is with fiberglass gasketing, sometimes called door rope. 1. This depends largely on the configuration of your fireplace insert. ... Now use either fire cement or fire rope (1”-2” thick) to seal the cast iron insert onto the fire back . After the new fireplace insert and chimney are installed, seal the enclosure by placing a sheet-metal fire stop around the chimney pipe where it enters the firebox. ... making sure you seal all around the front and top of the fire back. A block-off plate is particularly helpful with inserts installed in fireplace on exterior walls with exterior chimneys. Rigid Foam Insulation. During the winter months fireplaces provide homes with both heat and comfort. Fitting a concrete fire back and preparing the fireplace opening. The best time to do this is when you are preparing to use the fireplace for wintertime. How? Get it as soon as Mon, Feb 8. Try one of these permanent or temporary solutions to eliminate your fireplace draft. Check the width of the edge bumper (the one I used is 1/4 inch) and subtract that amount from three sides of the fireplace opening measurements. Mark the cut lines on your pegboard material. First, start by doing a thorough inspection of the fireplace surround. This is an easy job and only takes a few minutes. We welcome your comments and According to Northline Express, you can then spray a hearth or masonry brick cleaner onto the firebrick as long as your firebricks are less than 50 years old. Should the insert be damaged or not properly reinstalled, the potential for fire hazard increases. If you seal the fireplace surround properly, you do not have to worry about the soot staining your brick. The fireplace interior where the fire occurs is called the firebox. Lean your head into the fireplace and look for any gaps all around the edges of the surround and the bricks. suggestions. Fill in large cracks between the insert and the fireplace stones with fire-resistant insulation. With this silicate cement, use a generous supply to fill in the gaps. If for some reason you are concerned about high heat in this area, there is a fire rated caulk made especially for gaps in fire or common walls. You need to be well prepared before you start the project. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Unfortunately, some surrounds also have a strip of brass that separates the tile surround from the fireplace insert and this is not removable, however, once the other pieces are painted it’s barely noticeable. Without one, the flue liner (which should be insulated) and the stove will try to heat the mass of masonry that is exposed to the outdoors. View our Privacy Policy here. Copyright© Doing a fireplace remodel and after tearing out the wall etc... Fireplace remodel - tiling metal surround. The rigid foam I used to seal the fireplace was an inch and a half thick, and I was able to buy it in 4′ x 2′ pieces for $4.15 each. The Mantel is then fixed in place over the fireplace insert it is fixed to the wall with Concealed Fixing brackets for the timber surrounds or for the limestone or marble mantels you need to glue the L brackets to the inside legs and fix with screws and rawplugs to the wall two at the top and two at the bottom of the legs. Seal the joints and seams of the … 09. It can create quite a mess if this happens. Load the caulk gun. Sealing the gaps with fiberglass and insulating your home is a do-it-yourself job that can easily be handled in an afternoon. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. All information is provided "AS IS." Refractory cement is highly heat resistant and virtually eliminates the need for replacement; however, should you go this route, it's best not to use the cement directly between the masonry and the insert. This can result in a significant cooling of the stove and large heat loss. Direct vent fireplaces will use a pane of tempered or ceramic glass to seal the combustion chamber from the room. ... Rutland Products 76C 500-Degree RTV High Heat Silicone Seal, 10.3-Ounce Cartridge, Clear. I'd like to seal these openings. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be This video show a seemingly well sealed fireplace leaking profusely during an air testing. There is also a gap between the top front edge of the firebox and the brick. Check all corners properly. Laying A brick surround on a metal fireplace. It will seal any air leaks you may find in your fireplace surround. Most brass surrounds have pieces that are removable. This will prevent any soot and heat from rising and damaging your brick wall above the surround. Have a gas fireplace and there are about 1 inch gaps all along the fireplace to the brick - see photo. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficient Fireplaces. its just a fiberglass rope. Heat, though, can often be lost not only via drafts coming down a flue but also from small gaps and crevices between a fireplace and its insert, a decorative barrier added for safety. The inner tube will vent the exhaust to the atmosphere, while the outer tube will pull combustion air from outside. This fiberglass material is especially formulated to be highly heat resistant and very dense so that the flames of large fires and resulting smoke are prevented from exiting the mouth around the gaps. Install a Ceramic Tile Fireplace Surround in 5 Steps. When surveying the interior of the fireplace, I noticed the installation bracket for the glass doors on the front of the fireplace stuck out inside the fireplace. Once you are satisfied, feel free to enjoy the fireplace. It is relatively simple to insulate a chimney to reduce heat loss now, but not eliminate the possibility of using it again in the future. There was clearly something the previous owner tried to use to seal it but clearly it didn't work. $10.09 $ 10. Website operating If you are concerned that the fireplace door might be leaking cold winter air or allowing smoke into your home, you can replace the seal on it. (Put the surround and the insert to one side). Cut the pegboard to size. Protect the hearth with an old blanket, place the insert onto the hearth put the wooden surround on top of the hearth around the insert push the surround against the insert so that it goes against the chimney, mark out against the fire opening the area which needs to be removed. One of the best ways to close off drafty airflow from your fireplace, especially when it won’t be used for a while, is to create a decorative and removable cover that you can pop in and out. Fireplace Update Idea: Paint the brass surround. Still, cementing over the gaps in the masonry itself before installing the insert reduces lost heat. If you discover this type of situation in your home, you'll need an appropriate sealant that closes these gaps. How to Install a Travertine Fireplace Su... How to Install a Travertine Fireplace Surround. Lie on your back facing up into the fireplace and look at the top of the fireplace surround. We had a wood stove installed i... We bought this house and realized the last homeowner attempted to DIY alot ... Stacked stone fireplace surround on this? If it has been used recently wait a couple of days for it to cool off. Next, you should lay down an old blanket or plastic sheet to protect your clothing and the floor in front of the fireplace. From the outside there is a fresh air intake on the chimney and there is a metal chimney exiting the top of the old stucco chimney. Hi, I have a metal fireplace, with no surround. $12.99 $ 12. 4.6 out of 5 stars 839. It is made up of firebricks and mortar, which are designed to withstand high heat. However, some home and property owners may opt to use refractory cement in lieu of fiberglass. Also, get the tools mentioned above handy to smoothly complete the project. The gaps can be sealed off between the metal plating and the insert using an adhesive-like caulk, which with some work can be removed prior to cleaning. Generally speaking, fiberglass sealant strips are the most common sealant used in a variety of fireplaces in homes and residences. To allow the fireplace to receive air for combustion, a double-walled vent pipe will be used. The best time to do this is when it is summer or just before the cold weather sets in. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Some, like the one in this illustration, acts like a heat exchanger. While a fireplace is a source of beauty and warmth in the cold weather, the heat generated from a fire will take its toll on the fireplace over time. It is recommended that you use Fireplace Repair Caulk to caulk the gaps. A former licensed massage therapist, Maltbee has also spent considerable time as both an ACE- and NASM-certified personal fitness trainer. Sealing up an unused brick fireplace chimney will save money on your heating bills and increase your comfort level at home.In addition to letting in cold, these chimneys pull hot air out of the house. This will keep the fireplace looking as good as new and you walls will be stain free. Thanks in advance. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. You may freely link Because of local fire laws and building codes, it's highly advised -- in fact it may be unlawful not to do so -- to hire a chimney sweep, a certified professional who is well versed in proper insert removal. Tired of your drafty fireplace? DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent In the winter (Alberta) we get huge drafts coming in the grills of our gas fireplace insert. Sealing off the fireplace You can seal off an unused fireplace by installing wood or light-gauge metal framing, insulation and drywall over the entire wall or opening. DO NOT INSTALL THE FIREPLACE INSERT DIRECTLY ON CARPET OR SIMILAR SURFACES WHICH MAY RESTRICT AIR CIRCULATION. Clearance for air circulation beneath the fireplace insert is provided by three rubber feet (FIGURE 1). Here's How to Fix a Drafty Fireplace. All you have to do now is wait for the caulk to harden and create a solid seal before using the fireplace. The hole is where the gas line comes in to the home and below the actual fireplace (so it doesn't get warm where the hole is). Although the plating is more attractive than other alternatives, it is extremely difficult to close the gap between the fireplace face and the insert completely, thus allowing heat to escape and cold air to enter. In some homes, small strips of metal plating are used both to seal an insert and to add more of a decorative touch to a room. This is a 3 step process How to Make Electric Fireplace Surrounds... How to Make Electric Fireplace Surrounds Wider. There are two kinds of drafts - … A sealant around a fireplace insert keeps drafts out and heat in. Cut two-inch foam to the shape of the opening; subtract about an 1/8- to 1/4-inch around all sides to leave room for wrapping with material. There is a gap about 1/2" wide on one side of the firebox, between the metal box and the brick, at the front edge of the fireplace (at the opening). Room temperature air enters the box around the firebox, heat is transferred to this air, and it exits -- significantly warmer, … An easier cover is accomplished by purchasing a tin or bronze-plated wall/fireplace facing cover from a company such as The Victorian Fireplace Shop. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. I am re-doing a hearth and surround. Thought about mortar, but someone said it would crack and maybe crumble out. The metal does get quite hot when the fireplace is on. Ensure that material is spread evenly and is smooth as this will provide a smooth finish look. Any suggestions on how to seal the gap? Once applied, the sealed cement makes removing the insert for routine maintenance nearly impossible. The caulking backer is a round foam solid tube that can be cut to length, inserted into the gap to seal it and hold the caulk. Removing the insert and the sealant is not. You will need to seal any gaps you find. When not writing, he tackles home improvement projects. The existing surround was ... Clean Fireplace Brick: How to Remove Paint. Available at many hardware and home improvement stores, small rolls of fiberglass-based stripping can be cut to size and applied in noticeable gaps between an insert and the masonry on the outside face of a fireplace, underneath the insert. Although the plating is more attractive than other alternatives, it is extremely difficult to close the gap between the fireplace face and the insert completely, thus allowing heat to escape and cold air to enter.