I'm looking to potentially replace my fireplace's refractory panels, and I was looking to pull them out and see if they are a repair or replace job. Any logs obtained from the woods look great, and work well to add to a realistic feel. Add “fire” to your fireplace. Step 2. I used a bench top vice grip to hold the rebar while I pulled on the free end to get a 90 degree bend. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There is usually a valve located just before the meter that must be opened and closed with a wrench. Following the manufacturer's instructions, finish the metal with black stove grate polish and burnish with a brush or soft cloth. Cleaning the Grate. Remove all the soot and ashes from the body, and take off as much as you can from the beginnings of the pipe. Locate yourself where you have just removed the charred wood and the grate and look up. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. The insert may be considerably larger than it appears at first, since it is hidden behind this framing. Grab one end of the grate while your helper grabs the other. How do you remove a gas fireplace insert? Hold the can about 10 inches from the fireplace screen. Remove the log grate from the firebox. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If your fireplace is on a second floor, you’ll probably need the help of professional movers to get the insert down the stairs. ... Lower them to the ground using a 5-gallon bucket attached to a … You may have to use a crowbar to loosen the insert enough to be able to move it by hand. Ideally, you should have about 3" on all sides of the grate to ensure proper function & air flow. JavaScript is disabled. You will probably need to have someone help you move the insert if you're not used to lifting heavy objects on your own. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Absolutely. The fireplace expert goes on: ''Begin with about one inch of ashes on the fireplace floor. Remember that whatever you use beneath the fireplace insert is likely to get stained or torn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. Look for the fireplace damper. Use a wire brush to remove rust and loose material on the surround. The best steel bar grate available is a Lifetime Fireplace Grate. At this point, you can safely and completely remove the fireplace insert. Once it's loosened, pull out on the shelf to remove it. Start by shutting off the gas to your home at the main valve so there's no chance of a leak. 1. How much does it cost to remove a fireplace insert? How to remove chimney, fireplace yourself It's a big job, but you can remove chimney, fireplace yourself. Rinse with water and wipe dry. This may take some time depending on the condition of the grate. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. However, you may only need to have a partial removal in order to have the fireplace insert taken out. Shake a can of spray-on rust neutralizer for one to two minutes. Put on a pair of gloves and invite your lifting assistant to do the same. It appears two of the legs are attached to the fireplace, and feeling around them it seems to be something rubbery/sillicony at the attachment point on two of the legs, not a screw. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in a cloud of ash and soot when you remove the insert. Remember that these inserts can be quite heavy. If you have a large grate and fireplace, add two logs positioned in the same direction as the base logs after you add the tinder and kindling. A full fireplace or chimney removal can cost between $3,000-$6,000 USD. Our fireplace has a trapezoidal shaped base, so the back of the grate is shorter than the front of the grate. I'm not really looking to "mess around" with the design, the panels are prefab panels which normally come out, they are just held by top clips. This is known as a street-side valve, and should only be operated by someone from the gas company. Cold air is heavier than warm air, so if the outside is too cold, it can create a river of cold air flowing down the chimney, into the fireplace, and trapped there by the doors. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If there is any flashing nailed to the framing, remove the nails holding the insert in place, then disassemble as many parts of the insert as possible, including any pipes or vents which you might see. Now that you have your depth measurement, subtract 6 inches from this measurement. Last Updated: March 12, 2020 Take a crowbar and remove the trim around the insert. The burner will then be located in the area just below where the grate's front legs are attached. To ensure it protects the floor, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Once the fixings have been removed, take the weight of the surround, remove the piece of wood supporting the surround and pulling the surround forward, lower on to the floor. Access to the hearth area for cleaning is gained as the grate is pivoted to the inoperative position. If there is any flashing nailed to the framing, remove the nails holding the insert in place, then disassemble as many parts of the insert as possible, including any pipes or vents which you might see. Return to your fireplace and, using a fireplace shovel, remove piles … Click HERE for more information. It depends on how extensive the removal project is. How to Remove a Fireplace Grate Step 1. If you are planning on using one of our reflective firebacks with the grate, the gas starter may need slightly more than 6" of clearance behind it. No additional power tools, nozzles required to remove fireplace mantel. This is a prefab builder-installed wood / gas fireplace of unknown manufacture, mid 2000s. You'll need the overlap so you'll have something to grab onto when you're moving the insert. Tap it gently, but with enough force to pull the nails from the wall. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. A grate with … Use a bolster chisel and club hammer to remove the top half first, then the lower. Ours attached from within using a series of 4 clamps to lock it in place (one in each corner), and there were no unsightly screw holes or damage to the stone to speak of. Keep the damper open until the fire is completely out. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Place an electric light source (like an electric candle or extension cord with a night light port) inside the cavity of the fireplace. If you're planning on discarding the insert, you can also remove pieces by breaking them off with your hammer or prying them apart with your crowbar. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Use a metal polish for extra shine. If your fireplace has glass doors, open the doors 15 to 20 minutes before lighting your fire. Learn How to Remove an Outdated Fireplace Surround - YouTube Not me. Since the gas should already be turned off, there's no need to cap the gas line until after you have removed the insert. You may want to wear protective gloves to keep your hands clean and protected. This article has been viewed 74,252 times. FIG. Allow the fireplace to cool down completely before attempting to remove the fireplace grate. The carpet should be at least 5 foot (1.5 m) longer and wider than the insert so you can easily grab the edges when you're moving the insert. References. As a first step, put on protective sheeting, such as an old shower curtain or a plastic sheet, under the fireplace, as the restoration work can get messy. Whether you want to update the look of your fireplace or you need to get it up to code before you sell your house, chances are you’ll need to remove your fireplace insert. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. X Start by knocking off any chunks of ash with the handle of a wire brush. This keeps the draft against the back wall of the fireplace and eliminates smoke puffs into the home. To remove a wood-burning or electrical fireplace insert, first remove all of the trim from around the fireplace, including any brick, rockwork, or drywall that is covering the insert. With your pry bar, pry the insert and disconnect it completely. Some homes, especially older ones, do not have a house-side valve. Pry the insert free with a crowbar, then slide it onto a piece of carpet so you can easily move it across your floor. Slide the grate out toward the edge of the fireplace. If you have found a gas leak, close the shutoff valve again and call the gas company to help you with your repair. Teflon tape is usually yellow, as opposed to basic plumber’s tape, which is white. Maintain the natural curve of your back and try not to twist your torso to avoid injuring your back. Try calling around a few removal services in your area to get a quote so you can compare the costs. When you can access the gas line, remove it as well. Choose a piece of carpet that's at least 5 foot (1.5 m) longer and wider than the insert. Mix a small amount of vinegar with water in a spray bottle. Remove the top grate of the fireplace (if applicable). By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Our grate hugs the back wall of the fireplace, taking up about half of the depth that a flat grate would. Although this is a job best done by professionals, especially if you have a gas insert, it is possible to remove your fireplace insert yourself. You can even use your gas to help the fire get started for a few minutes, then turn it off and let the wood burn on its own, adding more wood to the fire as needed to keep it going. Mesh: While not standard, some fireplace grates incorporate a mesh layer that helps to hold the fire together longer, resulting in a hotter fire and logs that burn more completely. Cleaning wood fireplaces. The grate (the centre piece going back into the fireplace) may be fixed to the surround with screws or bolts, but there is no need to separate them as the surround and grate will come out together. Now you have a rectangular brick opening that should be ready for your new gas or electric fire, the hearth and fireplace surround. For tips on disassembling a gas insert, read on! Use a damp rag or garden hose to rinse away the ash and particles on the metal. Also remove the fireplace grate. Lifetime Fireplace Grates are guaranteed by the factory to last a lifetime and will be the last grate that you will ever buy. For the best protection, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. It can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 for the project to be completed by a professional. The first step was to measure the fireplace. Research source Step 6 However, that's where I got stuck, I can't take off the grate. Clean out your fireplace. If you don't have an old scrap of carpet handy, try piling up some old pillows or thick blankets on the floor. Once you've taken out the fireplace surround, you might find there's a fireback. Use extreme caution when you're working with gas. Keep in mind that whatever you use may get dirty or torn. To remove a wood-burning or electrical fireplace insert, first remove all of the trim from around the fireplace, including any brick, rockwork, or drywall that is covering the insert. Grab the head of each nail with the hooked end of your hammer and pry it free. See what to do with those ashes. Remember to use your legs to bear most of the weight when you're lifting something heavy. Furthermore, the apparatus can be attached to a conventional fireplace grate as a factory assembly service or can be purchased separately and attached to existing grates by the homeowner. The fire, and smoke, is now safely away from the opening of the fireplace. 1 is a pictorial view of the present attachment with a fireplace grate shown diagrammatically by dotted lines; 2. Take out all the things from the mantle, the surrounding floor, and walls and clear the fireplace. If you have any questions at all, call a licensed professional. In this case, call the gas company and have them turn off your gas for you. Step 4: Set it off to the Side Note: Some of … A fireplace grate should have at least four legs, but six or more is better. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 74,252 times. This will allow the inside of the fireplace to come to room temperature. Then, place three logs on the top at an angle. Keep the pry bar at the point where the mantle is attached to the wall. That's OK to do. For tips on disassembling a gas insert, read on! Your grate is likely secured in place with screws, so be sure to have a screwdriver on hand to remove those and then the grate. Try to keep the insert upright so it doesn’t spill coal and ash everywhere. Remove the old logs from the fireplace. % of people told us that this article helped them. Access Fireplace Controls Remove the front screen or open the bottom grate of the fireplace. You can purchase a brass safety cap and Teflon tape from any home improvement store. By using our site, you agree to our. Guidelines to Remove the Mantel. An attachment for mounting a fireplace grate to a fireplace hearth for pivotal movement between a horizontal operative position and an upright inoperative position. Here are the guidelines for the process. I imagine if I can take off the grate, I can slide the panel out without undoing the gas line. Then use the wire brush to clean away smaller clumps of ash and debris clinging to the grate. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. How are fireplace mantels attached to brick? Measure the depth of your fireplace from the fireplace door, or from the beginning of the fireplace opening and write this measurement down. Brush the ashes off the grate with a fireplace ash brush. Then, carefully wiggle the insert out of the fireplace and remove it. Obviously, or else I might have taken this gold feature to the curb last June. Never bend or twist while you're lifting heavy objects, and lift using your legs to prevent a serious back injury. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. At the onset, remove the fireplace from the wall, if possible. Remove the grate. Can you burn Duraflame logs in a gas fireplace? http://www.woodheat.org/fireplace-inserts.html, https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/06/fire-not-in-the-hole/, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076866, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SabN2LNkrHA, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/valves/how-to-locate-your-gas-shutoff-valve-and-water-shutoff-valve/view-all/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5dgg-kvOo8, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Who knew? Light a butane log-lighter or fireplace match and hold the flame to the burner pipe in the firebox. However, restoration work can be done effectively even with the fireplace attached to the wall. A heat-resistant paint is another option. wikiHow's. 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