Restoration and upgrade of the old fireplace

March 15, 2022

A fireplace is the warming heart of a home or cottage – a place where time is spent creating a cozy atmosphere and warming up. A fireplace also provides security of supply and self-sufficiency. There are thousands of fireplaces in Finland installed across different decades, many of which are still in use thanks to good maintenance and regular chimney sweeping.

But how can an old fireplace be brought up to meet today's requirements? And can a fireplace's combustion technology be updated to modern standards without major renovations?

Yes, it can. The solution for "turbocharging" your fireplace can be found in LumoX. This Finnish-made air guide easily and quickly brings modern combustion technology to an existing fireplace – without major renovations. This way, the fireplace begins to produce more heat with less wood and lower emissions.

The benefits of LumoX:

✅ More heat with less wood
✅ Savings on firewood costs
✅ Less smoke and emissions – better air quality both indoors and outdoors
✅ Easy to install yourself – does not require major structural changes
✅ Finnish innovation and patented solution

Requirements for putting an old fireplace back into use

Putting an old fireplace and its associated flue system back into use after years of disuse always requires inspection and approval by an expert. A fireplace and chimney that have not been used for over three years must not be put into use without a statutory chimney sweep. Chimney sweeping can only be carried out by a licensed professional chimney sweep. In addition to safety, the inspection is important for the draft and the functionality of the fireplace.

Permission to put an old fireplace back into use must be obtained from the building control authority. In old apartment buildings, repair or modification work required to put the fireplace and flue system back into use always requires a building permit. In city centers, the flue may be part of a system of dozens of chimneys, and putting the chimney back into use may affect the health and safety of other residents. In small houses and terraced houses, putting it back into use does not usually require a building permit.

Determining the fireplace's initial condition

First, it is worth finding out what the current condition of the fireplace is. An old fireplace may be broken, and there may be obvious visible signs. A broken fireplace cannot be repaired with DIY methods; instead, a mason who knows how to restore a broken fireplace should be called in. Masonry work on a fireplace is craftsmanship that requires an expert. What should be examined in the fireplace?

Cracks on the outer surface – condition of the plaster
Inner surfaces of the firebox – condition of the bricks
Top of the firebox – intense burning heat can cause the steel structure to flex
Door hinges – may become loose
Ash box and ash pits – function correctly

Restoring the fireplace's outer surface

The passage of years and burning wood in the fireplace show on its surface. An old fireplace does not necessarily need to be dismantled and rebuilt if its internal structure is still intact. The outer surface of fireplaces can be renewed in accordance with the material and finishing method used. Unsuitable shapes, decorations, and wreaths can also be removed from masonry fireplaces to bring them up to modern standards. This makes the fireplace streamlined and space-saving.

The shape of the fireplace can be simplified
The fireplace can be resurfaced by re-plastering, tiling, or sanding
Cracks in the fireplace casing can be repaired
Resurfacing makes the fireplace brighter and more modern

Repairing the fireplace firebox

A poorly functioning firebox cools down quickly and consumes a lot of wood. Visible defects in the firebox can be repaired if the associated flue system is otherwise functional. Small cracks in the firebox can be repaired with fireclay, and cracked firebricks can be replaced with new ones. However, mass cannot be added to a pre-existing fireplace, because the new mass will not heat up at the same rate as the old parts.

An open fireplace can be converted into an efficient heat source by installing a fireplace insert. An old firebox is not a modern heat source. It is worth updating it to save wood and reduce fine particle emissions.

Restoring the fireplace doors

A fireplace door is hard on the wood when burning. The frames may sag and the hinge pins may break. A new gas-tight door should be purchased to replace a broken door and frame, and it should be installed by a professional. The gap left between the frame and the bricks can be sealed with fireproof wool. New doors can be tightened with a screwdriver if the door begins to sag.

Cast iron parts of an old, functional door can be restored with a steel brush, and the cleaned surface can be treated with oven black. Sooty glass can be cleaned either with a general household cleaner or by using ash found in the fireplace. The ash is taken on a damp cloth, and the glass is cleaned with circular motions. More ash can be taken on the cloth as needed. Finally, the glass is wiped with a clean cloth. If the glass becomes sooty, it indicates incomplete combustion.

Chimney sweeping

The fireplace to be restored must be swept before it is put back into use. At the same time, the chimney sweep can inspect the condition of the flue system and firebox. After this, the fireplace and flue system must be swept once a year in a residential building and every three years in a holiday home.

Turbocharge your fireplace by updating the combustion technology

Once the fireplace's outer surface has been restored, the doors replaced, and the ash door functioning as it should, you can further improve the fireplace's performance with accessories such as LumoX EkoAir. LumoX EkoAir is an adjustable, easily installed accessory suitable for fireplaces of various sizes or ages, which preheats the combustion air and directs it over the wood.

Combustion becomes smoother, and combustion gases also burn in the firebox. In this way, all the heat can be utilized, and the flue is strained less. Wood consumption decreases by up to 40 percent, and particle emissions are reduced by up to 80 percent. Update your fireplace's combustion technology to modern standards with Finnish-made LumoX EkoAir.