Holes in Fireplace?

[OMG1Penguin]

Ok, so I am buying a house, and during the inspection yesterday, the inspector noticed two holes in the fireplace pit. He said it wasn't normal, but it almost looks like it is designed for ventilation, to bring air in to burn or something like that.

Anyone have any ideas?
Not 56k friendly, there is a hole on the right of the firepit, and in the center, and corrosponding holes on the exterior of the house.

Inside
Outside

Thanks~

Edit: Smaller Pics

 

[MrChad]

Jesus christ, 2016x1512? Those aren't broadband friendly either.

 

[richardycc]

for the BBQ pit rod?

 

[rh71]

don't know... but if it's on both the inside and outside, I wouldn't doubt it's a practical reason.

And RESIZE the damn pics. 759KB off a cable upload is taking forever.

 

[OMG1Penguin]

92k now, little more reasonable, I guess you don't need that much detail

 

[iwearnosox]

Older fireplaces sometimes have a rod in it for hanging a kettle for hot water.

 

[OMG1Penguin]

Originally posted by: richardycc
for the BBQ pit rod?

Is that a real function, or just something to make me say OMGWTFBBQ?

Edit: House was built in 1979

 

[snoturtle]

could it have been for gas lines that never ended up getting put in?

 

[NL5]

It's an air inlet for a firepalce insert (they are kinda like a woodstove) They come with a pipe or hose that must be connected to the outside so they don't suck all the oxygen out of your house. Pellet stove inserts use them as well, probably gas inserts too.

 

[OMG1Penguin]

Originally posted by: NL5
It's an air inlet for a firepalce insert (they are kinda like a woodstove)

Ok, so this is perfectly safe?

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

have you asked the sellers?

 

[NL5]

Originally posted by: OMG1Penguin

Originally posted by: NL5
It's an air inlet for a firepalce insert (they are kinda like a woodstove)

Ok, so this is perfectly safe?

Thanks for all the responses!

If it was me, I'd have the seller professionally patch it closed if you aren't gonna put an insert in there.

 

[ITJunkie]

Looks to me like you had a moron "do-it-yourselfer" try to install something then realizing "oh sh1t, I drilled in the wrong place".

 

If there is another hole on the other side it was meant to be a passive air supply.
It's an old idea that doesn't work well.

 

[NL5]

Originally posted by: SampSon
If there is another hole on the other side it was meant to be a passive air supply.
It's an old idea that doesn't work well.

It works real well if you are using an insert. Kinda keeps you from asphyxiation - that's a good thing!

 

[Bryophyte]

I wonder if the fireplace was having trouble with getting an adequate draw and was smoking up the house. Maybe it was an attempt to fix it.

 

[NL5]

After a bit of research, I just remembered that the newer inserts use a two way stove pipe - intake comes in through the outer "ring", and the exhaust goes out thru the middle. Definately have the seller patch it.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: NL5
After a bit of research, I just remembered that the newer inserts use a two way stove pipe - intake comes in through the outer "ring", and the exhaust goes out thru the middle. Definately have the seller patch it.

Wow if I were selling that house and that hole has always been there, it'd be damned hard to get me to patch it. I'll take the next buyer please...

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I wonder if the fireplace was having trouble with getting an adequate draw and was smoking up the house. Maybe it was an attempt to fix it.

At my mother's house, the place smokes up a bit when we use the fireplace. The vent thing above the fire log holder thing is open all the way. Is this a bad thing to happen?(you seem to know a bit about fireplaces and ventilation)

 

Originally posted by: NL5

Originally posted by: SampSon
If there is another hole on the other side it was meant to be a passive air supply.
It's an old idea that doesn't work well.

It works real well if you are using an insert. Kinda keeps you from asphyxiation - that's a good thing!

All new gas inserts use a single vented pipe now.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I wonder if the fireplace was having trouble with getting an adequate draw and was smoking up the house. Maybe it was an attempt to fix it.

At my mother's house, the place smokes up a bit when we use the fireplace. The vent thing above the fire log holder thing is open all the way. Is this a bad thing to happen?(you seem to know a bit about fireplaces and ventilation)

If your fireplace smokes up the house after the fire is going well, you might have a poorly designed chimney or your firebox or flue might be in poor shape. It is bad because you shouldn't be breathing the exhaust products of a fireplace for long periods (particulate is bad for the lungs, CO is potentially lethal.)