DIY Replace Fireplace Guts

Cut and re-do your fireplace without the help of a professional remodeler.

Homeowners lust after fireplaces, especially when they’re the focal point of a main room, like the living room. Fireplaces can sometimes be the selling point of a new apartment, condo or house. But what happens when you move into your new pad and realize that your gorgeous fireplace actually doesn’t work so well? While visually appealing, fireplaces tend to be inefficient -- the flue sucks all of that cozy warm air out through the chimney instead of heating the room. Fix this problem by gutting the fireplace and starting from scratch.

Things You'll Need

• Fireplace insulation
• Tape measure
• Fireplace insert

Instructions

Preparation

1. Remove the guts of the old fireplace. If there is a fireplace insert, disassemble it and pull it out. If the fireplace doesn’t have an insert, clear out all of the debris.

2. Insulate the fireplace chase if the old insulation is worn. The chase is the surrounding that covers the flue. The flue is where the smoke and gases are vented through the chimney.

3. Measure the fireplace frame.

4. Purchase a fireplace insert that will fit in the frame. Inserts are easy to install and output more heat without spreading harmful pollutants. Inserts also come in a variety of styles, making it easy to change or update the look of your home.

Installing the Insert

1. Attach the vent pipes to the mounting plate on the insert using sheet metal screws.

2. Remove both the chimney dampers and the ash cover. Dampers seal the flue when the fireplace isn’t being used. The ash cover should be on the floor of the fireplace.

3. Install and center the firebox by attaching the insert’s legs.

4. Run the necessary lines to the chimney, depending on the type of heat source being used. If the heat source is changing, for example, from electric to gas, call a professional to do the job.

5. Put the insert into the firebox and install the mounting plate onto the insert.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider replacing the fireplace hearth and mantle if it’s worn down. You’ll have a brand new fireplace -- make it look its best with a renovated “face” too. Just make sure that the new surround is made of safe, non-combustible materials, like stone or tile.

• When deciding on the heat source to use in your “new” fireplace, consider the benefits of electric heat. Electric fireplaces are safer since there’s no open flame and they’re cleaner since they don’t have chimney soot or ashes.

References

• This Old House: How to Reface a Fireplace Surround and Hearth
• Fireplaces Now: Fireplace Inserts
• MTL Marketing Corporation: The Benefits of an Electric Fireplace for Your Home
• Wooden Sun: Anatomy of a Cut and Gut