My HeatNGlo gas direct vent fireplace has rust on the back of the firebox. Costly to fix?

Question

The only dealer in the area wants $95 to look at it, before letting me know if it can be repaired or not. HeatNGlo told me that the rust may make the firebox unsafe. The rust must have appeared over the summer, since I didn't notice it last year. The fireplace was installed eight years ago (Western PA).

I plan on selling the house in five years. I need to decide whether to try to get the rusty firebox fixed somehow, or whether to just look into replacing the fireplace completely. Any suggestions? Any recommendations on another brand of direct vent fireplace, if the rust can't be repaired reasonably?

Answer 1

odds are it is simply surface rust

use a wire brush remove the rust from the surface

tap along the area to see if it is still as solid as you remember

if it is use a good quality high heat spray paint ( ie rustoleam ) designed for fire pits and fire places

then enjoy it for the next several years and sell it with the house