How To Repair Drywall Around Zero Clearance Fireplace?

five Common Mistakes Made by Fireplace Contractors

Even for a skilled homeowner or DIY pro, installing a fireplace can exist a daunting task. The installation involves attributes from many trades, including electrical, plumbing, and framing. For anyone who has resolved to move forward with a fireplace installation but has doubts about completing all aspects of the installation properly, it is recommended to piece of work with a contractor or home improvement firm.

Installation requirements for fireplaces differ across product lines. This article will comprehend some of the virtually common errors made past even the most experienced professional. To assist y'all or your contractor avoid these mistakes, nosotros've provided an installation video for guidance.

i. Selecting the Proper Valve

I of the showtime things to plant when purchasing a fireplace is the type of appliance you wish to install. In the case of a gas fireplace installation, there is a long listing of the different valve and burner systems to cull from. Amid the choices in the gas fireplace category are millivolt and electronic gas valve systems. While they both perform the same basic task, they operate very differently. In guild to empathize a common misstep that is made when installing gas fireplaces, i must first understand the difference between these valves.

A millivolt valve system, also commonly called a continuing pilot system, is a type of valve that uses a pilot assembly with a pocket-size standing flame that burns at all times. The gas valve contains a serial of minor electromagnets that hold open up springs within the valve, allowing gas to menstruation to both the pilot and burner circuits. When manually lit, the pilot flame will heat a device known as a thermocouple, and using resistance between dissimilar metals within the thermocouple, a small amount of voltage is generated to power the magnets in the valve. Dissimilar an electronic gas valve system which requires a 120-volt power source, millivolt systems require no outside voltage supply to operate. The pilot flame generates all the power that will be required.

With the increasing interest in efficiency and conservation, there has been an increase in the popularity of electronic systems that save gas by eliminating the standing airplane pilot. However, the number of offerings that still employ a standing pilot is vast and information technology is frequently causeless by contractors unfamiliar with a certain model of fireplace that a 120-volt ability supply is required.

: Figure one

Effigy 1 depicts a typical millivolt mode of gas valve. Note the black terminal block with wire leads connected. This is a classic indicator of a millivolt way of valve, simply if there is whatever incertitude, nosotros encourage you to contact a technician at eFireplaceStore.com to verify specifics of your model. As shown in the epitome, a contractor has improperly connected a 120-volt power pb to the terminal block. When energized, this can cause a unsafe charge to exist passed through the valve, damaging it, the pilot associates, and other components linked to the valve. To forbid situations like this from occurring and so all parties involved are fully aware of the product being installed, nosotros encourage yous to select a contractor that is willing to piece of work closely with you lot, the homeowner, on selecting your fireplace model.

2. Clearances Between Vent Pipe and Wood Framing

As if oft the case when adding a fireplace to a house, the appliance installation is office of a larger add-on or remodel projection. The conclusion to add a fireplace may accept come while the projection is well underway and every bit a outcome, structural modifications may need to exist fabricated to accommodate the vent pipe from a woods or gas burning fireplace.

: Figure 2

The left side of Figure 2 depicts a Class A chimney vent pipe that was routed near the top of a two x 4 stud plate. As you tin encounter, the notch was made to let the piping to laissez passer forth the plate, but no clearance was left between the piping and the wooden plate. It is often mistaken by installers that fireplace venting tin can be treated much like HVAC ducting, with directly contact with woods framing being acceptable. This is non the instance and all venting will require some level of clearance, due to the much college temperatures of the outer pipe wall. On the right side of Figure 2, it can be observed that the pipe would have passed too close to the plate, and so the notch was made to gain the proper 2 inches of clearance to combustibles that Course A vent pipage requires. While a great number of installers understand the importance of these clearances, it is a simple mistake that can easily exist made during the grade of a much larger projection. Fortunately, this is an upshot that can be hands rectified in almost all cases, even if it is discovered after framing has been completed.

three. Properly Insulating the Fireplace

Mentioned earlier was the increasing involvement in greater energy efficiency of a dwelling equally a whole. For many contractors and homeowners alike, this ways the increased use of insulation and sealing the home tightly so that outdoor temperature swings accept a minimal upshot on the indoor environs. With the increased dependence on insulation, a scenario like the one depicted on the left of Figure three is often encountered.

: Effigy 3

A large part of fireplace safety is maintaining clearances to combustibles and insulating around the unit of measurement can be catchy. Most gas and wood burning fireplaces alike volition take a collision system that is screwed or welded to the fireplace chassis which will be curtained in the wall once the wall surface is finished. The standoffs are meant to be a guide for framing the fireplace into the wall enclosure that will house information technology, with a top plate running along the peak of the standoffs. Although information technology may seem correct to insulate any and all gaps that result betwixt the standoffs and the top of the fireplace itself, this is actually a dangerous exercise that tin result in the fireplace retaining too much estrus and potentially igniting the paper backing found on well-nigh insulation batts and rolls. The all-time practice to ensure free energy efficiency is to properly insulate the wall cavities around and to a higher place the fireplace simply to non allow insulation directly against the fireplace itself. The insulation used in the ceiling and wall cavities should be thoroughly secured with staples or metal strapping to forbid it from falling against the fireplace. As shown on the right of Effigy 3, the space between the upper fireplace chassis and the bottom of the wall plate should remain bare of insulation and any other combustibles. The owner's manual for your item appliance volition encompass other required clearances in detail.

4. Selecting the Proper Vent Pipage

A large part of a successful gas fireplace installation is the selection of the proper vent pipe to route the burnt frazzle gases to atmosphere. Every unit of measurement manufactured volition accept a listing of approved venting components that have been tested with the appliance and accounted safe. With the differences that exist in gas appliances, there is oftentimes confusion among installers as to what is acceptable for some installations. To understand these issues more clearly, nosotros must first understand differences between gas appliance types.

A large office of a successful gas fireplace installation is the choice of the proper vent pipe to route the burnt exhaust gases to temper.

A B vent gas fireplace will depict combustion air from the room, much the aforementioned as a traditional wood burning fireplace. Frazzle gases are vented to the atmosphere via a 2-ply galvanized vent piping known as Type B venting. This is the same type of venting used for many gas furnaces and water heaters. Because they are not efficient, B vent fireplaces are not equally popular as they once were. Directly vent fireplaces will use a pane of tempered or ceramic glass to seal the combustion bedroom from the room. To permit the fireplace to receive air for combustion, a double-walled vent piping volition be used. The inner tube will vent the exhaust to the atmosphere, while the outer tube volition pull combustion air from outside. The outer tube volition also aid to keep the entire vent system cool by enshrouding the inner frazzle tube.

: FIGURE 4

Shown in Figure 4 is the vent collar of a direct vent fireplace. Note the outer and inner vent collars. In this photo, a contractor has used incorrect Type B venting to vent this straight-vent appliance. While the setup will technically let exhaust gases to vent to the atmosphere, it does not allow the unit to draw the combustion air information technology needs. The unit will only be able to pull the available air in the fireplace cavity before it volition begin starving for oxygen. This is a relatively common error that is made, due to the simple misunderstanding that all gas fireplaces utilize the aforementioned vent pipage. It is very important to use simply the approved vent pipe listed in the transmission for the appliance. When in doubt, contact a professional NFI certified technician at eFireplaceStore.com for guidance.

5. Materials and the Fireplace Front end

A final issue that is often seen in the field is improper apply of combustible finishing materials in relation to the metal face up of the fireplace. While the metal standoffs that are role of most fireplaces are responsible for maintaining clearances to framing, in that location are no such spacers positioned around the metallic facade of the unit itself. Manufacturers will usually include a chart in the owner's manual that outlines condom clearances to combustible finishing materials.

: Effigy five

Shown in Effigy v on the left hand side is a common fault when finishing the fireplace. Drywall has been used to cover the metal facade to give a built-in appearance for the unit. Newspaper faced drywall must never be used for this application, fifty-fifty if it is fire rated. The metal face of the unit volition get quite hot while in performance and over time, the paper facing of the drywall can discolor and even combust. Only a not-combustible fabric such equally cement lath and tile can be used to cover the metal face of the appliance and only when the unit has a smooth face up with no louvers or vents tin can this exist accomplished. Any unit that uses a louvered face must always accept its louvers uncovered unless the manufacturer explicitly states otherwise. Shown on the right of Figure 5 is the drywall console relocated to the proper spacing in a higher place the unit. A trim kit can be used to comprehend the gap for an all drywall awarding or cement board can be used to span the gap to the upper border of the fireplace.

Working with a professional contractor is a great way to ensure that your room add-on or remodel is completed properly and on time. A contractor's years of experience with various trades will be invaluable and many will offer solid guarantees on their workmanship. When it comes to the intricacies of the fireplace installation, we strongly encourage you to achieve out to the professionals at eFireplaceStore.com to coordinate the purchase of the appliance. Assuasive our staff to speak to your contractor directly will lay a articulate path to the successful and condom installation of your new appliance.

About the Author

Collin Champagne

Approaching his 10-year work anniversary, Collin is one of our National Fireplace Institute (NFI) certified technicians and content manager for the eFireplacestore, eCanopy, and EliteDeals brands. He is a Master Hearth Professional, which means he is certified in all three hearth appliance fields—wood, gas and pellet.

When not at work, he spends time with his wife, Lindsey, and his sons, Samuel and Eli, on their ranch enjoying their many animals. Completing projects around the ranch and spending quality time with his family are amongst his greatest joys.

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Questions About This Article

All customer questions are answered past our NFI Certified Specialists complimentary of accuse!

10 Questions & 10 Answers

Tom H.

from Cypress, TX asked:

February 3, 2022

What is the cost of adding a second gas valve in the FP box?

1 Answer

We do not have any log sets or fireplace inserts that allow a second gas valve in the firebox.

Submitted by: Tyler G. on Feb 3, 2022

Most Helpful Answer

Jeff

from Columbus, OH asked:

December 14, 2021

I have a pocket-sized gap between the metallic fireplace unit and the cement lath I put up. I feel a typhoon thru this gap. Can I caulk with a high heat sealer before installing tile?

i Answer

Yes, you can use a high-heat sealant there and adhere whatever noncombustible material to make full the gap.� This assumes that the manufacturer of the fireplace does not crave that gap to remain open up.

Submitted past: Tyler Thousand. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on December 14, 2021

Most Helpful Reply

Brian Thousand

December 13, 2021

Do I put insulation in my new wall around the fireplace and the gap between wall and gas fireplace?

one Reply

Insulation is certainly a good idea in the wall surrounding the fireplace, but there is commonly a requirement for an air gap between the fireplace and certain areas around the back and sides of the fireplace, and too perchance the infinite above the fireplace.� The amount of space required varies from model to model.�

Submitted by: Tyler G. - NFI Main Hearth Professional person on December 13, 2021

Almost Helpful Answer

Diane

from Ponoka, AB asked:

Apr 10, 2021

We are converting our wood-burning fireplace with an electrical insert. What blazon of insulation should nosotros apply to shut off the chimney?

1 Reply

Fiberglass insulation volition suffice for this awarding.

Submitted by: Aaron D. on April 12, 2021

Most Helpful Answer

Vickie

from Michigan City, IN asked:

September 8, 2020

When replacing a gas fireplace with a smaller fireplace, can I put drywall on the framing or what should I to use?

ane Answer

Every fireplace will require different "clearance to combustible materials", I would follow the instructions for combustible facing requirements establish in the installation manual of the fireplace that you choose.

Submitted by: Aaron D. on September 9, 2020

Almost Helpful Answer

Betty K.

from Kill Devil Hills, NC asked:

Apr 3, 2020

Do I demand to put the cement board on the interior wall? The fireplace is installed in a bump-out on the side of the house.

one Answer

Cement board is not used in all applications, so we would demand to have more specific information to answer this question accurately.�

Submitted by: Will Yard. on Apr 3, 2020

Well-nigh Helpful Answer

Tracy

from Edwardsville, IL asked:

March 24, 2020

We have a wood-burning fireplace insert that is so cold in the winter. I don't think in that location is any insulation behind it. Are you suppose to put insulation on the outside walls?

1 Answer

You are most certainly supposed to insulate the three outer walls of any exterior chase to prevent the issue that you are now having.

Submitted past: Will Yard. on March 25, 2020

Nearly Helpful Answer

Dan O.

from Boston, MA asked:

November 22, 2019

I have a gas fireplace and there was a crash-land-out built to accommodate the system. In colder months I tin can feel a draft of common cold air that seems to come up from the underneath and I would similar to seal this. Do I demand to allow for a certain amount of an air gap around the system?

1 Answer

Your fireplace model will accept a specific clearance measurement that requires an air space of a certain amount - this amount will be specified in your installation manual.� You tin can use insulation of any kind anywhere upward to this specified distance around the fireplace.�

Submitted past: Tyler M. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on November 22, 2019

Nigh Helpful Reply

Rebecca C

from Cincinnati, OH asked:

November 12, 2019

On well-nigh gas logs, should the electric hook up be on the right or the left?

1 Answer

Most gas log sets will accept a connection on the correct side.�

Submitted by: Will One thousand. on Nov 12, 2019

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Antoinette

from Connecticut asked:

November 5, 2019

I would like to place tile around my contemporary fireplace that I take set into the wall, just information technology has a service panel underneath. Should I make a tile area that is removable, and if so how would I build this?

1 Answer

You are correct that the panel should e'er remain accessible for service and maintenance. Notwithstanding, we do non recommend trying to create a "removable tile" section - the panel should remain exposed.

Submitted by: Tyler M. - NFI Master Hearth Professional on November v, 2019

Most Helpful Answer