Looking for information, please

[cpbaby]

OK I have a leaky roof. How does that pertain to gas logs? you might ask. Well, the problem is that I need a whole new roof. What? you might ask again, BUT hang on. I have a woodstove with a chimney that goes up through my ceiling/roof and the roof leaks around it (among other places on my roof). I have had people look at it and they all agree it is around the chimney BUT they cant figure out how to patch it. SO, before I get a new roof, I want to take the woodstove out and get ventless natural gas logs with a "fireplace" to go on the hearth and brick wall where my woodstove sits now. THEN I could do away with the chimney through my roof. I thinkt his would make a big difference in several areas such as leaks and DUST and floor space.


How hard are they to take care of? I only use the woodstove when it is either REALLY cold or theres a major snow or ice storm and the power is off so I use it rarely and expect to use the logs just as rarely. Do they require a blower or is a blower just a good idea but they will still work without one(in case of power failure, I mean)? How big (long?) of logs do you need for a three bedroom/one bath one story house? I have looked and could get the logs and a fireplace for under $500 but then would have to pay to have them installed and to tap onto the gas lines going through our front yard(we are currently totally electric). Im thinking maybe $1,000 total and then the cost of the roof, but it seems to me that this would be cheaper than getting a new roof and then it leaking again in a few years and ruining my ceiling and attic.

TIA!

[andreame70]

We have gas logs and we love ours. A few times a year, I will use the vacuum cleaner and clean any dust that may settle around them. Ours has a blower and let me tell you, we don't turn on the blower until we get ready to go to bed because it will flat out run us out of the living room. It gets warm in there quick with the blower on. They work just fine without a blower, the heat will just not travel as far without one. Ours has a separate switch to cut the blower on or off with. I think it is a good idea to have the blower, especially during the dead of winter, but I don't think you will use it as often as you might think.

Now as far as heating your house, we have a three bedroom, 2 bath house and the logs keep it comfortable, but our bedroom and bathroom stays a little cooler because it is farther away form the heat source. I like it that way, but if you are a cold natured person, you may find that the heat will not travel as well to the rooms that are furthest away and it may not be warm enough for you.

In the winter, it is very nice to still have heat if the power goes out. The main drawback to me is the fact that the heat is so dry. We have to run a humidifier when we use the logs. Other than that, I think they are a great investment.

We have ours inside of the fireplace and they look like a real fire when they are on. I like being able to curl up near the fire on those cold winter nights to read a book or watch a movie.

I hope this helps you a little.

Andrea

[tracyb]

we use the gas heaters also....watch out for a lot of moisture with it....you might need a dehumidifier to take the moisture out of your home with it.....we had a lot of molding on hte outter walls and windows when we used them as our main heat....now we had to use only one of the gas heaters because we can not get any heat in to the front part of our home and electric it the rest...make sure you get one the is automatic and it will kick on and off and not stay on constantly.....we like ours also just the little mold problem but bleach and water takes care of that....lol

[queenangie]

Roofs are major events. I cannot help you with any hints on this one, but can you give a little bump.

We got a new roof almost 2 summers ago, after hale damage. The insurance company was really good about it. Our neighbor had the same problem. We used the same roofers. My teenaged boys were able to help with the roof job...and one thing they learned......my boys do not wish to be roofers. It was a good experience.

Hugs!