How to Install a Open Fire Fire Back

[@fogster74]

Absolutely great video - the only one I've found that comes close to showing how this is done. We're reinstalling a cat iron victorian fireplace into an existing chimney. We had three HETAS guys come round to look - they preformed a smoke test, checked the flue, the top of the stack has been rebuilt but none were familiar with installing a fireplace as all said they only really did Wood burners these days!

[@hectyre]

Nice work, good to see someone taking pride in a job well done. I now know what I'm up against when I take mine out!

[@dickvandike0]

Hi there, thanks for the comment. All fire backs are heat resistant !! Its a question of allowing for expansion where it needs it most.I would cut it as thats how it should be done. Thx

[@dave134061]

great stuff this should make our fire put out some more heat rather than up the chimney does the throat have the same mesurement for most fires

[@dickvandike0]

Hi Thanks for the comment, yes it will be the same but at garden centre prices !! Try RGB building supplies or any builders merchant nr you, or a stove shop will have a stock as its the same material thats used to backfill chimney liners if they do installations. Thanks for watching

[@dickvandike0]

Thank you, for the comment.Yes fitting an open fire is a dying art, and its rarely done correctly.

[@dickvandike0]

Hi Noel, It would be a good idea to get a Hetas engineer/ chimney sweep in to give you the best advise, yes it may discolour the surround, due to the heat or the hearth may get dirty over time due to the nature of using solid fuel but the crucial part is is the insulation designed for solid fuel or gas only!! some times gas fires are installed in a solid fuel fire place or they are installed from scratch for gas use only ! only a engineer on site could give you all this information. Thanks DVD

[@dickvandike0]

Hi Jay,Thanks for the comment but there are to many variables to reply to your questions. You need onsite advise, to be sure that you have a safe installation. I hope you understand Thanks DVD

[@noeltkelly]

Great Video. I have a sandstone fireplace with a gas fire installed. I was thinking of having this removed and then installing a fireback so we could have a real fire. I have been told though that this will discolour. We are only going to light the occasional fire at the weekend. Will this happen if a fire is properly installed. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

[@cubjuice]

Great video, It's the only one that shows you how to do the job properly! I have a question for you if you don't mind answering? I too am in the process of restoring my fireplace but I am using a concrete fireback, would that also be needed to be cut in half? When I asked where I bought it from they said no because it's heat resistant! would this be true?

[@ferrencebeeb]

That's great thanks for the quick reply. So it's just 6-7 parts Vermiculite and 1 part Portland (or any) cement. No water? Vermiculite seems to be sold for garden use. It seems like I'll need quite a lot to fill the cavity behind the fireback - way more than I could get from the bags sold in Homebase (10L - for garden use?). Also, I see that Vermiculite expands and contracts due to heating and cooling. Is this why it is used? If so, why would this be good? What purpose does the cement serve? tx

[@j.a.robinschimneyservices112]

Nice one DVD, really enjoyed watching this, 😊

[@dickvandike0]

Thanks for the offer, but I only do upgrade work for my existing customers. Thanks DVD

[@inspectedpanic]

Hi, thanks for the guide, I now have a good idea on how to fit mine, My main concern is the existing flue and its condition. I ripped out an existing back as it had been battered around to fit in a baxi boiler and I will fit a stainless steel liner however am unsure if this is normal practice? there is very little guidance online, i presume that i bring the flu down into a register plate and it will work in the same way? as long as there is a pull of air upwards? cant find any info on this!

[@dickvandike0]

Hi, yes really, because the fire back provides protection the the builders opening/ fire recess, and with all the components fitted it provides a technically working appliance. in other words It will work properly, throw out heat, not smoke, and be safe. ;-] thx DVD

[@dickvandike0]

Hi Janet, Look on the HETAS website and search for an installer nr you. Or you could find a stove shop locally and ask them for a quote. Thanks for watching DVD

[@TheGemmalyons]

great work just woundering how long do you leave the fire before you light it

[@mwey1]

Great video. I'm having a hard time to find vermiculite. They sell it in garden centres, is that the same material you are using? Many thanks in advance ...

[@dickvandike0]

@martinbramley No it is not necessary to re cement the two halts back together as they need to move / expand independently. The throat lintel has to fit where ever necessary to obtain the correct throat diameter. thanks for watching.

[@dickvandike0]

yes 6 to 1 and add a little water to bind, builders merchants for Vermiculite 100 ltr bags £20 ish it also holds the heat in the fire back allows for expansion other wise it may crack the fire surround or push it off the wall. The cement binds it all together otherwise it may sink or settle at the bottom over time leaving voids at the top. ;-)

[@dickvandike0]

@TheGemmalyons Hi thanks for watching, if it was into an existing fire surround then a couple of days, if it was a whole new surround and fire back then about a week. Thx

[@fortismere100]

Thanks for a very informative video. I've just had a fireback installed which I was told had been cut and reformed by the company which made it. Is this likely?

[@lindasinclair4163]

is it essential to have a fire back? I removed mine to install a woodburner, I now have to remove the woodburner and return it to an open fire!

[@emmetlyons07]

Great video :) just 1 question how long after fitting can you light it

[@ferrencebeeb]

I can't make out the word you say before 'sand'. Is it a type of sand? It sounds something like Portland sand but I don't think that's right.

[@Rinty145]

Great job, but I have one question. Should I put some fire cement between the two halves of the fireback if I were to tackle my own fireplace?

[@dickvandike0]

Hi, if its cut neatly then i don't but if it needs typing up after cutting then yes. thanks DVD

[@dickvandike0]

Yes always use vermiculite,

[@dickvandike0]

In theory yes, Thanks for watching

[@glink50ytop]

Would you use the same method with Vermiculite and cement for a cast iron fireback or could we use sand and cement?

[@dickvandike0]

Hi there, Costs are very much depending on inspection, work involved, air vent, buliding control certification, carbon monoxide alarm,materials, act. Thanks DVD

[@dickvandike0]

Hummm, fire backs are supplied in one peice, or in sections, 99% are now in one piece and it is up to the installer to do the cutting, now that it has been installed the only way that you may know is when it cracks, which by the way for all watchers, it will crack at some time but if you have cut the brick in half then the cracking will properly only be in the lower half as it takes the most heat. If the crack spreads from the bottom through to the top then it has properly not been cut.

[@dickvandike0]

Thank you very much.

[@andriadavey]

Do u have a rough idea how much it wud cost to have this done? Thanks

[@fogster74]

PS a quick question.. I'm pretty confident I can do the work myself. My only query is the gathering lintel - we don't seem to have one. I know to shape the throat into the chimney, but do I need do anything to 'form' a gathering lintel at the front face of the fire?

[@dickvandike0]

Thanks, enjoy..

[@jamestinker1605]

How do you know what size fire rope to use? Thanks

[@dickvandike0]

it could be any size from 10mm to 30mm depending on the job. thanks DVD

[@dickvandike0]

yes sorry Portland Cement not sand, well spotted of course any cement will do the job.

[@Hannahf1726]

please can you install mine x

[@JanetDavis1969]

Please help, need to fit real fire cast iron fireplace, can someone tell me step by step how to do this, I have advertised for a professional fitter on website rated.com which sends adverts to 63 local companies, anyone wanting the job sends in a quote and I accept the cheapest. I have NO responses so I have to do it myself.