John Dirks Jr Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 I have not inspected this house yet but its on the schedule. I dont know what kind of fireplace that is yet or what the fuel is. The floor tile appears to be ceramic but I don't know that for sure either. I do not know the sub floor material but since there is an HVAC register in the floor near the wall I assume its a wood sub floor and structure. My question is, if this fireplace is a type that requires a hearth, is ceramic tile suitable as hearth material? Click to Enlarge 21.41?KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Hi, It looks like a direct vent gas fireplace. Those don't require a hearth or surround of any sort. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Hi, It looks like a direct vent gas fireplace. Those don't require a hearth or surround of any sort. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Thanks and I knew that direct vent gas unit do not require a hearth. What if it were a wood burning insert? Would a ceramic tile floor be suitable as hearth material? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericwlewis Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 if that's not vinyl, that's a perfect looking tile instal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMustola Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 Then there is this requirement. R1004.2 Hearth extensions. Hearth extensions of approved factory-built fireplaces shall be installed in accordance with the listing of the fireplace. The hearth extension shall be readily distinguishable from the surrounding floor area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Jones Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 That sure looks like vinyl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 The listing for the house says oil heat and electric water heater. Unless they have a propane tank on site, I'm guessing the FP to be a factory built wood burning insert. We'll find out soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Jones Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I think the flooring is vinyl and if it is wood burning, you know the answer to that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Before Mike said gas, I was thinking electric fireplace. They don't have a bottom door usually, just glass and trim. Remote control. They are the most idiot-proof of all, why I like them. No hearth required. The heat element is near the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Before Mike said gas, I was thinking electric fireplace. They don't have a bottom door usually, just glass and trim. Remote control. They are the most idiot-proof of all, why I like them. No hearth required. The heat element is near the top. That is my guess. Electric FP and vinyl floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 It's a wood burning steel insert. There's no hearth and it's a vinyl floor covering. Click to Enlarge 39.01 KB Click to Enlarge 34.92 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Then there is this requirement. R1004.2 Hearth extensions. Hearth extensions of approved factory-built fireplaces shall be installed in accordance with the listing of the fireplace. The hearth extension shall be readily distinguishable from the surrounding floor area "The hearth extension shall be readily distinguishable from the surrounding floor area" Why do you suppose this sentence? Let's say the entire floor in the room were ceramic which would probably be an approved extension material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 It's a wood burning steel insert. There's no hearth and it's a vinyl floor covering. Click to Enlarge 39.01?KB Click to Enlarge 34.92?KB That settles it; it's dicked up. Is that vinyl on a slab or a wood floor? On a slab, a properly sized tile hearth should do it but if it's over a wood sub-floor you need a hearth there that is not only large enough in area it must be thick enough to meet the requirement as well. you've got enough to punt it to someone to figure that out and fix it. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Wow! All this...and John hasn't even done the inspection yet.[] Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Wow! All this...and John hasn't even done the inspection yet.[] Marc No..did it today and writing the report now. It's vinyl over a wood sub floor. Nice huh? Chimney cap is rusted real bad and the damper was so loose at the hinges it was a bear to operate. Click to Enlarge 56.21 KB Click to Enlarge 54.27 KB Click to Enlarge 75.42 KB Click to Enlarge 54.11 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 ...earned your fee before you even got there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericwlewis Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 reply to inspection report as follows- "Well it ain't been a problem since uncle Bubba installated the durn thing"[:-paperba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Then there is this requirement. R1004.2 Hearth extensions. Hearth extensions of approved factory-built fireplaces shall be installed in accordance with the listing of the fireplace. The hearth extension shall be readily distinguishable from the surrounding floor area "The hearth extension shall be readily distinguishable from the surrounding floor area" Why do you suppose this sentence? That rule is to prevent people from walking right into the fireplace and burning their feet. Because anyone dumb enough to have a vinyl floor up against a wood burning fireplace just might do that. [] What Mike said. If there's a wood subfloor, there needs to be a fireproof layer under the tiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Lozier Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 reply to inspection report as follows- "Well it ain't been a problem since uncle Bubba installated the durn thing"[:-paperba Good point Eric..... how many times are we asked on some safety item: " Is that really a problem?" I usually respond: "only if there is a fire, or someone gets electrocuted!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted January 17, 2012 Report Share Posted January 17, 2012 Then there is this requirement. R1004.2 Hearth extensions. Hearth extensions of approved factory-built fireplaces shall be installed in accordance with the listing of the fireplace. The hearth extension shall be readily distinguishable from the surrounding floor area "The hearth extension shall be readily distinguishable from the surrounding floor area" Why do you suppose this sentence? That rule is to prevent people from walking right into the fireplace and burning their feet. Because anyone dumb enough to have a vinyl floor up against a wood burning fireplace just might do that. [] Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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