removing a woodburning stove

I have already removed the stove, now how do I remove the insert with the facing and pipe? Is this something I can do myself or do I need to hire a professional at this point?

 

Whether you plan on returning the fireplace to a regular wood burning fireplace or installing gas logs, it is recommended that the chimney be cleaned and inspected. It would be a good time to have all this done at the same time by a licensed chimney professional.

 

amen to that....inserts are the WORST in the world for making creosote in a chimney. Combination of air tight stove and a flue that never gets to heat up much.

 

I assume your insert is defective!Quite possiblly a winch would be needed to remove it and to install a new one.Stoves need more maintenence than fireplaces.Recommended two cleanings a year because of creosote formations in varies places in system.Could you do it?

 

Thanks to everyone for the reply's. We hired a chimney sweep to come out and take a looksee. We got more bad news. (I am really starting to hate this house). Anyway, it seems a previous owner removed the damper or flu (sp?) when they installed the stove. We found out that we have a zero clearance fireplace insert. The chimney sweep says he thinks it is a "Magestic". He could not find a nameplate on it anywhere. Everything was inspected though and he says we did not need a cleaning. But, the thing that concerns me is he says it will be too difficult to install a damper now. He also said, that many people never use or install dampers. Is this true? We have cold air just blasting through that fireplace right now.

So, what do ya think now?
Stacey

 

You mean there is absolutely no damper unit in the chimney? Or do you mean that the damper plate is missing? I don't see how the chimney could have passed the home's initial inspection without it. We sell the complete cast iron dampers, but also the replacement damper plates. (Somewhere, there is a woodstove insert guy that has about 600 plates stashed in his basement!)

Good luck with your search!

www.southsidebuilders.com

You could also try a top sealing damper...
http://www.firelogs.com/Lyemance.htm

 

Apparently these houses passed inspection years ago-Ours has nothing but masonry work also - mo metal - no damper I can appreciate your situation We just inherited an old family home-65yrs approx and nothing has been updated-but I look forward to being able to be really creative We are trying to decide whether to build new chimmneys or repair the old I want to keep anything possible as it is an old family home on a dairy farm and may have historical value.....Any ideas---from-the first of many problems............

 

I have seen on This Old House a damper system that goes up on the top of the chimney and has a stainless steel wire that goes down into the firebox.