Fireplace advice

[tcofran]

My house was built in the late 60's, with a built-in fireplace that hasn't been used in over 30 years..... brick chimney with a copper/brass place for the wood with a door at the bottom..... Feel like cranking the baby up again..... Best way to check if it still works would be ????

 

[Nerfherder]

My house was built in the late 60's, with a built-in fireplace that hasn't been used in over 30 years..... brick chimney with a copper/brass place for the wood with a door at the bottom..... Feel like cranking the baby up again..... Best way to check if it still works would be ????

Get someone to inspect it.

You could just start a small fire and check that the smoke only comes out the top.

 

[tcofran]

@Nerfherder - will try the small fire thing...... First have to rearrange the lounge, as there are couches in the way....... Will have to apply for permission from the missus first and submit new layout for furniture i guess......

Who can i contact to have it looked at ? normal builder ?

 

[Magnum]

My house was built in the late 60's, with a built-in fireplace that hasn't been used in over 30 years..... brick chimney with a copper/brass place for the wood with a door at the bottom..... Feel like cranking the baby up again..... Best way to check if it still works would be ????

Load it up. some spiders may be harmed in the process but we don't really care about them...

 

[tcofran]

i hate spiders.... so it will be a win win

 

[Nerfherder]

@Nerfherder - will try the small fire thing...... First have to rearrange the lounge, as there are couches in the way....... Will have to apply for permission from the missus first and submit new layout for furniture i guess......

Who can i contact to have it looked at ? normal builder

No, there are fireplace/chimney specialists.

 

[I.am.Sam]

What do you fancy fire people use to start the fire?

firestarter wood and this firelighters from builders

i use half a block and there is 5 big blocks in there

it lasts long

 

[I.am.Sam]

That works too you just need a good starter otherwise its a long drawn out process.

or if you leave it and come back to a dead fire

 

[Nerfherder]

@Nerfherder - will try the small fire thing...... First have to rearrange the lounge, as there are couches in the way....... Will have to apply for permission from the missus first and submit new layout for furniture i guess......

Who can i contact to have it looked at ? normal builder ?

I'm in the Western Cape and have a fireplace that is over 100 years old so I googled and found these guys: https://www.victorianfireplaces.co.za/
They serviced and refurbished mine and its great now.

just google "fireplace" and see what is around you.

 

[I.am.Sam]

Is installing a fireplace worth it with regards to the cost (3.5m ceilings and another 3 point something meters to the roof) as well as servicing, cleaning and smell? Perhaps a closed one will have less issues with cleaning and smell. Sure the ambience might be great but is the maintenance worth it?

hardly any maintenance and definitely worth it

the clean up i do once there is alot of ash which is after about 3 fires

im lazy

 

[I.am.Sam]

do you guys service once a year ?

 

[I.am.Sam]

I mainly use normal fire lighters that I buy from Builders Express for R22/packet, I tried the Good Wood fire lighters but they aren't as good and I have bottles and bottles of corks soaked in illuminating paraffin as a back up. Strangest fire lighter I have ever used was a tampon coated in Vaseline...

the firelighters are usually r15 on special

 

[Neuk_]

do you guys service once a year ?

Yes, even if it is just a clean and inspection, I have another R10k bill in Spring for our fireplace because the I presume the previous owners didn't look after our current fire place

 

[Neuk_]

the firelighters are usually r15 on special

You are right, I paid R18/packet yesterday at our local Builders Express.

 

[I.am.Sam]

Yes, even if it is juts a clean and inspection, I have another R10k bill in Spring for our fireplace because the I presume the previous owners didn't look after our current fire place

so i did mine a year ago ..it was hardly used i assume as the clean took place within few mins

thinking of it now the guy who did it didnt send me an invoice after requesting it a few times

 

[Neuk_]

so i did mine a year ago ..it was hardly used i assume as the clean took place within few mins

thinking of it now the guy who did it didnt send me an invoice after requesting it a few times

It all depends on what needs to be done, just a clean and inspection should be quick, if you need to replace fibreglass sealing rope, vermiculite insulating bricks, etc. it can take a lot longer.

 

[I.am.Sam]

It all depends on what needs to be done, just a clean and inspection should be quick, if you need to replace fibreglass sealing rope, vermiculite insulating bricks, etc. it can take a lot longer.

and cost more

 

[Sepeng]

They didn't pitch we try again tomorrow

Also keen to see how it goes; I've got a firewood guy but reckon he's getting pricey and the cut of the wood is not what it used to be.

 

[I.am.Sam]

everyone said buy wood in summer

the wood has gone more up since last winter

cost of fuel is the impact

 

[Speedster]

Pinecones are the best firelighters. And they're free.