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Restoring a neglected wood fireplace in San Marco Island

For homes in San Marco Island, restoration work comes with a free written estimate and no hidden fees.

  • Owned and run locally
  • Available for same-day service
  • Fully licensed and insured
  • Family owned and run
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When patching an old fireplace stops working

  • Heavy soot across the face brick
  • Rough stepped masonry above the throat
  • Musty smell from the fireplace
  • Water marks inside the firebox
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Old fireplace restoration, step by step

Function before finish

A restored face over a firebox that is still failing is money spent in the wrong order. Heat, smoke and falling debris from unfinished work above can spoil a freshly cleaned face.

We therefore plan the fire-facing work first. Firebox repairs, damper work and smoke chamber parging come before the face is cleaned and repointed. The hearth usually follows, since it catches debris from everything above it. The sequence is written into the estimate, so you know what happens when.

Opening up the route from firebox to flue

In the building code, the throat, damper and smoke chamber form a single route for smoke, and that route may not be narrower in area than the flue above it.

In a neglected fireplace, debris, a half-open damper or rough masonry can narrow that passage. Restoration aims to open it back up to its intended size. We check each part of the passage and explain what is narrowing it. Clearing and repairing it is often what turns a smoky fireplace back into a usable one.

The screen in front of the fire

A fireplace screen keeps sparks and rolling embers inside the firebox. On a neglected fireplace the mesh may be torn, the frame bent or the screen missing altogether.

For a factory-built unit, the screen is a listed part and must come from the manufacturer's parts list. For a masonry fireplace, a screen that fits the opening and stands firmly is what matters. We check the screen as part of the restoration and note any replacement. It is a small item that protects everything else.

Work beyond the fireplace itself

A restoration can touch finishes around the fireplace that are outside our work. Flooring, plaster, wall paint and built-in cabinetry are examples.

We protect those surfaces while we work, but we do not repair or refinish them. If our work is likely to affect a surrounding finish, we tell you before starting so you can plan for it. That keeps the restoration estimate focused on the fireplace and avoids surprises once the job is done. You can then line up any other trade for after our work is complete.

What the free restoration inspection checks

  • Damper freed, repaired or replaced
  • Debris bagged and hauled away
  • Separate notes on chimney-side findings
  • Walkthrough of the finished fireplace

Questions before restoring a fireplace

Is the chimney part of a fireplace restoration?

The focus is the fireplace itself, from the firebox and damper to the hearth and face. Findings on the chimney above are noted and listed as separate items, each with its own reason and price.

Can a restoration be done in stages?

Yes. Essential safety repairs can go ahead before finish work. Each stage is priced separately, and we explain which items must happen before the fireplace is used and which can wait.

Can you tell whether my fireplace is masonry or factory-built?

Yes, during the free inspection. The difference matters, because a masonry fireplace is repaired with masonry methods while a factory-built unit must stay within its listing and use the manufacturer's parts.

More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace

More about fireplace restorationEvery service in San Marco Island

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