Share
Hey Bunnings Workshop Community,
I have decided to restore this fireplace ( not mine) It is in the living area (lounge room) part of the house. At the moment I am just going to focus on the fireplace and then the mantle later.
As you can see it is not in good shape. I believe it can be restored rather than replaced.
I asked the owner of the house how water got in there and they did not know.
Clearly it is going to need a good clean out before I start restoring and the water needs to be removed.
My plan is to get the fireplace restored first. The longer term plan is to have a functional fireplace and nice storage for the wood etc. It can be a messy business with fireplaces so kind of going for a cosy and neat look when it is done. There might be some room for a grate but unsure if a grate would even be necessary and taking up room that can be used for something else in the future. But certainly a nice stoker set would be an advantage.
As you can see it has a chord ( apparently for air) is what the owner said. I am not familiar with these types of fireplaces that you plug in so would love some knowledge about that.
I am wondering what the best method is for cleaning the rust off the inner door frame and the rust on the outside of the fireplace down the bottom? Once it is all cleaned out, and the rust is gone, I am not sure what else I might need to restore the interior and the door if anything?
You can also see by the photos above the fireplace is a tv bracket and other things needed for a television. ( I am raking down the bracket and I am not sure if the owner wants a television up there anyway. (At this stage I do not think so) I am wondering what can be done about that space if a television will not be going there? Could possibly just hang some nice pictures up there perhaps?
The main thing though is just focusing on the fireplace for now.
Looking forward to sharing this project and the suggestions.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Innov8tive. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about restoring a fireplace.
The first priority here is to work out why water is entering the fireplace. In most cases it’s coming straight down the flue, which usually points to an issue at the top. Either the flashing isn’t sealed properly, or the cowling (cap) has rusted away or is missing. Until that’s fixed, any restoration work will only be temporary, as new water will continue to cause rust. Once you’ve stopped the leak, you can move on to cleaning and repairs.
On the outside, try a multipurpose cleaner first to see if any of the surface staining comes away. For the more heavily rusted sections inside, use a wire brush to scrub back loose material and check that the door frame and inner panels are still structurally sound. Since the internal firebox can reach extreme temperatures, sometimes up to 900 °C, I'm not aware of any paint that will survive inside. The highest-rated fireplace paints (around 550 °C) are only suitable for the outside surfaces of the firebox. Given this, you may be better off looking at replacing the door if it’s badly rusted or weakened. Check carefully for any manufacturer branding or labels on the unit, as that will help identify whether replacement parts are available. If the fireplace was purchased through Bunnings, I’d be happy to make enquiries about whether we can source a replacement door or other parts for you.
As for the plug-in cord you mentioned, these fans are often fitted internally to circulate heated air into the room.
For the space above the fireplace, it’s best to hold off until you know whether the owner wants a TV reinstated. If not, a picture, feature artwork or even a floating shelf would work nicely. For now, though, focusing on sealing the flue and restoring or repairing the fireplace itself will set you up with a solid foundation for the rest of the project.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
You’ll likely need to get up onto the roof to properly inspect the flue @Innov8tive. The issue might be as simple as the cowling at the top having rusted away, which would let rain fall directly down the flue. In that case, replacing the cowling usually solves the problem. Alternatively, the leak could be around the flashing, which may need more involved repair. Whether you’ll need a tradesperson depends on what you find. If it’s just the cowling, and you’re confident working on the roof, that can often be a D.I.Y. fix.
As for the internal fan, running it isn’t strictly necessary, but it does make the heater much more efficient. The fan helps circulate the warm air throughout the room rather than letting it linger around the fireplace, which means the heat is distributed more evenly and effectively. It’s definitely a worthwhile feature to use if you want to get the most out of the heater.
Mitchell
Hi Jacob,
Sorry for the late reply. Been a bit busy with other things. The screw extractor came in a set of 3 pieces. Brand: Craftright. I went slow on reverse with the drill. When I went to bunnings I asked for the drill bit that would do the job exactly as you instructed as I already knew what I had to do to get it out. My intention was to drill a hole right down the middle of it and tap it out with the hammer. The team member only gave me the screw extractor and not the drill bit I was asking for. Clearly I do not have the right drill bit so originally went to bunnings to get the right drill bit. I have attached two pics of the screws. One healthy one in tact which I removed fine and the other is one of two that I am attempting to remove with no luck given that I do not have the right tools.
Hi @Innov8tive,
The screw head appears to have a nut on it. It looks like you could use an adjustable spanner or socket set to undo it.
Mitchell
