QA

Question: How To Remove Gas Fireplace Insert

Take a crowbar and remove the trim around the insert. When you can access the gas line, remove it as well. Then, carefully wiggle the insert out of the fireplace and remove it. Finish the job by screwing a brass cap onto your gas line so you can turn your gas back on and it won’t leak out of the line.

How much does it cost to remove a gas fireplace insert?

Cost to Remove a Gas or Electric Fireplace Insert When a professional takes out the insert alone, expect to pay between $250 to $600. However, you’ll need a plumber qualified to work with gas lines or an electrician to disconnect the insert from its fuel source. This will run an additional $100 to $300.

Can I remove my gas fireplace?

Can You Remove A Gas Fireplace? Gas fireplaces can often be removed in the same way that they have been installed. The steps to install the gas fireplace must be followed in reverse order to remove the fireplace. Professional help will be required for tasks such as disconnecting the gas and electricity supplies.

Can a fireplace insert be removed?

A wood-burning fireplace insert must be removed when your fireplace and chimney enclosure need cleaning. Most wood-burning fireplace inserts are heavy and are secured to the enclosure with screws or bolts. If you don’t want to hire a professional to remove the fireplace insert, you can attempt to remove it yourself.

Can you change the insert of a gas fireplace?

Electric inserts can be fitted into just about any existing fireplace. The dimensions of the insert must fit within the fireplace cavity. In order to replace a gas fireplace with an electric insert you will need to remove the existing unit, seal the gas line, and pop in the electric unit.

How do you remove a fireplace insert surround?

To start removing one of these fireplace surrounds, you will have to chip away the plaster around the edge of the mantelpiece. This should reveal the lugs holding it to the wall. You can then go about removing the screws, which should start to release the surround from the wall.

Will removing fireplace decrease home value?

But losing a fireplace can affect a home’s appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.

How do you remove a gas insert?

Start by shutting off the gas to your home at the main valve so there’s no chance of a leak. Take a crowbar and remove the trim around the insert. When you can access the gas line, remove it as well. Then, carefully wiggle the insert out of the fireplace and remove it.

How expensive is it to remove a fireplace?

If you need to remove the inconvenient or dangerous parts of a chimney or fireplace, you can avoid the massive cost of demolishing the entire system and structure. A partial chimney or fireplace demolition costs $500 to $2,000. A complete removal could run $4,000 to $6,000.

Can you remove a fireplace in the middle of a room?

Consider a partial fireplace removal Alternatively, you can leave the stack and remove only the fireplace and chimney breast (the part that protrudes into the room) below the roofline. Just note that a partial removal may require help from a structural engineer to ensure the building’s structure remains sound.

What is the difference between a fireplace and a fireplace insert?

Fireplaces will have large viewing areas and box dimensions because they are designed to be built into new construction and not limited by the existing fireplace opening size. A fireplace insert is basically a stove, wood or gas, that is designed to be inserted into a fireplace that is already there.

How long does a fireplace insert last?

However, when properly maintained, a fireplace insert can last 20-30 years or more, making them a great investment in the future of your home.

How easy is it to change a fireplace surround?

The fire surround is often the easiest place to start, as you don’t need to worry about gas pipes or brickwork. Here, some paint, new accessories or even a whole new surround can go a long way when you need an easy fireplace update.

Why do new homes not have fireplaces?

Modern homes do not have enough draft in order to keep a wood fireplace lit. They will go out. This is because space heaters replaced fireplaces for energy efficiency, so new forms of insulation have replaced asbestos and fiberglass such as foam.

How easy is it to remove a fireplace?

If it’s a wooden or tiled surround, it can be as simple as removing screws and lifting it away. You may need some help with tiled surrounds due to their weight. It’s also important to wear gloves and protective goggles if you choose to break them up with a sledgehammer.

How much value does a gas fireplace add to a home?

According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent.

How do you convert a gas fireplace to wood-burning?

In order to convert these gas fireplaces into wood ones, you’ll need to do a complete fireplace replacement project and have a flue and chimney installed. If you try to burn wood in a pre-built gas fireplace, you’ll end up with disaster as the smoke won’t be properly distributed out of your home.

Do gas fireplaces need a chimney?

Ventless fireplaces fueled by gas or propane rely on indoor air for combustion, and they exhaust a low level of their combustion gases into the room in which they’re located. A chimney or flue isn’t necessary. In fact, ventless fireplaces generally are just for aesthetics and supplemental space heating.

Can you remove a fireplace but not the chimney?

The demolition would involve opening up the wall and removing the fireplace from the framing that holds it in place. Once removed, you can either install another fireplace measuring the same size, or simply install supports for the chimney and cover the space up.

What is the difference between a gas fireplace and a gas fireplace insert?

Gas fireplaces are very similar to gas inserts. However, the difference between gas fireplaces vs. gas inserts is that a built-in gas fireplace doesn’t require an existing fireplace or chimney. So, if you don’t have an existing wood-burning fireplace, this is your only option.

What is behind a fireplace insert?

What Is Behind A Fireplace Surround. The area around the opening of a fireplace is called the fireplace surround, and can be made from a number of different materials including wood, stone or metal. The fireplace surround was then removed, leaving behind the cast iron fireplace back panel and the gas fireplace insert.

What are the advantages of fireplace inserts?

Fireplace inserts solve the issue of heat loss by containing everything in a sealed box. This stops drafts from coming in and from heat rising directly out the chimney. In addition a sealed box allows for a much more efficient burn – around 70-75%. This increased efficiency also creates longer burn times.