how to get the parkray out?

[Spamchops]

DSCF6387

• Spamchops
• 2 Jul 2017

Hello all, I know there are lots of posts about opening up fireplaces, but I would like to know if a: It is going to be fairly straightforwards to remove this parkray burner out, and b: if the fireplace integrity will be unaffected? I'd like to remove the brick surround and the hearth tiles to find out the actual size of the real opening. We would like to put a wood burner in there and wish to do as much of the work ourselves as poss to save a bit of money. Thanks in advance x

 

[Doggit]

I take it that it's an old gas fire; if so, then as you're going to need the gas capped and removed, then you'll find it better to get a gas fitter in to do the whole removal job. Once it's out, you can then see about removing the surround, and the bricks etc, and then come back with what you've found. Obviously, you'll need to get the flue swept as well.

 

[Spamchops]

nope, its a wood or coal burner, we do both. It used to have a back boiler but that had gone before we got here, so its just the fire now.

 

[Doggit]

Then it should be fine to do on your own.

 

[vinn]

There's the possibility that the old flow & return pipes have been merely capped off, and dead legs of water have been left in position?
Any old pipes still connected to anything should be capped off at source, and all water drained.
F&R pipes typically ran up to the cylinder position in an airing cupboard.

There's also the possibility of meeting an old live gas supply, from a previous gas fire, somewhere in back around the chimney breast.

The Parkray can be pretty heavy to slide out & remove.

After removing everything back to the old fireplace opening you should call in a HETAS for at least a safety heads up before attempting to install anything else..

 

[Spamchops]

we are so far out of town that there is NO gas supply here anywhere. We are not even on mains drainage. The airing cupboard is next to the fireplace and there was a stone surround between it and the fire. We removed it and there are no remaining pipes, the boiler is run by oil these days.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Never cap off any pipes still connected to a boiler or heating appliance. You cannot guarantee all the water is removed, and should someone light the fire/turn the heat on, any trapped water could boil, turning the boiler/appliance into a potential bomb

 

[Spamchops]

er, we didn't do anything except remove the bricks. It must have been done when the oil fired central heating went in, by I am sure, a suitable qualified person. This was all done before we ever came near the place and the boiler works lovely on the oil.