Firebrick and refractory mortar repair in Croissant Park
Tell us what fell from the firebox walls, and we will find out why before proposing a repair.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What cracked or loose firebrick looks like
- A brick that rocks when touched
- Backing masonry showing through a gap
- Soft, sandy mortar in the joints
- A loose ash dump frame
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The steps of a firebrick replacement
Tall, shallow fireboxes follow their own proportions
Some fireplaces are built to a tall, shallow design with widely angled sides, often called a Rumford. The code allows it under its own proportion rules, different from a conventional firebox. Those proportions are what let it throw heat into the room while still drawing smoke up.
Repairs to such a firebox have to keep those proportions. Rebuilding its back or sides to a conventional shape would change how it draws. We identify the design before planning the work, and the estimate says that the rebuild follows the existing layout rather than a standard one.
Why the firebox is cleaned before it is repaired
Refractory mortar needs clean, sound surfaces to bond to. Ash, soot and loose grit left on bricks and in joints act as a parting layer, and new mortar set over them lets go early.
Before repair, we clear the working area of the firebox and brush out the joints we will fill. If heavy deposits are present higher up, sweeping the chimney first keeps debris from falling onto fresh work. We tell you when that sequence makes sense and list the sweep as a separate item.
What to tell us about the firebox
Useful details include when you first noticed the damage, whether it has grown, how often the fireplace is used and whether anything changed around that time. Mention earlier repairs, even if you only suspect them.
Tell us also whether pieces have fallen during a fire or while the fireplace sat cold. Damage that appears in use points to heat; damage that appears when idle can point to moisture or movement. Those clues shape where we look first and what we test. Smells, sounds and the date of the last fire are worth mentioning too.
How we examine the firebox walls and floor
We look at each wall and the floor in turn. Joints are checked for loss and softness, bricks for cracks, looseness and surface loss. The top courses near the damper and the edges at the opening get extra attention.
We note the lining type, the pattern and the likely cause of what we see. Anything we cannot judge from inside the firebox, such as the backup wall, is named as a limit. The findings are explained on site before any estimate is written.
Your firebox estimate, wall by wall
- Lining type identified
- Laying pattern kept
- Damper seat checked and supported
- Old brick and mortar hauled away
Questions about firebrick and mortar
What does the workmanship warranty cover on firebox work?
It covers the units we set and the joints we filled, cured and used as directed. Damage from overfiring, an unrepaired leak or parts outside the repaired area are not included. The written record shows the covered work.
What goes into the written record for firebox work?
The walls and areas repaired, the units replaced, the joints repointed, the mortar product and the curing steps still to follow. It also notes anything we saw but left as it was.
How should I prepare the firebox before you arrive?
Let it go cold, remove cold ashes into a covered metal container kept outside, and leave loose pieces where they fell. Clear the hearth so we can kneel and work, and set out any manual or note of earlier repairs.
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Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo