Old fireplace restoration with a clear plan in Watergate
We match mortar, brick and tile to what your fireplace already has, rather than changing its character.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What a neglected brick fireplace shows
- Fireplace unused for many years
- Smoke stains above the opening
- Musty smell from the fireplace
- Loose stones on a stone face
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What restoring a fireplace involves
Rusted metal in a factory-built firebox
The metal parts of a factory-built firebox can rust after years of damp or disuse. Surface rust may be harmless. Rust that has thinned or holed the metal is not.
We check the metal surfaces, the joints and any areas that carry heat. Where the damage is in a replaceable listed part, we order that part. Where it is in the body of the unit, we explain what that means for continued use. The manufacturer's instructions guide what can be repaired and what cannot.
Protecting the room during restoration
Restoration involves cleaning, cutting out old mortar and setting new materials, so dust and debris are part of the job. The room around the fireplace needs protecting throughout.
We cover the hearth, the floor and nearby furniture before starting and manage dust at the opening as we work. At the end of each day, the area is tidied and debris is bagged. When the job is done, debris is hauled away, and the room is left clean around a restored fireplace.
Firebox patches in the wrong material
Some firebox patches were made with ordinary mortar, cement or even caulk. Those materials are not made for direct fire and can break down, crumble or fall out.
We identify patches in the wrong material and remove them where they are failing or damaging the firebrick. The joints are then refilled with a heat-rated fireplace mortar. If a patch in the wrong material is still holding and not causing harm, we explain whether it can wait. The decision is written into the estimate.
Comparing restoration proposals
If you compare restoration proposals, check what each one includes. One may clean and repoint the face only. Another may include firebox, damper and smoke chamber work. They are not the same job.
Ask each company what will be kept, what will be replaced and in what order. Ask which mortar they will use in the firebox and on the face. Our written estimate covers each of those points, which makes a fair comparison easier. Ask too how hidden damage would be handled and priced if it appears during the work.
What the restoration estimate covers
- Loose stones reset on a stone face
- Listed parts for factory-built units
- Room and floor protection
- Mortar cure instructions before use
Your restoration questions, in plain terms
Do you replace every firebrick during a restoration?
No. Sound firebrick stays. We replace units that are loose, broken or badly eroded, and refill open joints with a heat-rated mortar. The estimate shows which units are to be replaced and where they sit.
What if parts for my factory-built unit are discontinued?
We check for manufacturer-approved alternatives. If none exist, we explain what that means for the fireplace. Unlisted parts are not fitted, because the listing depends on the tested components working together.
What happens if you find hidden damage partway through?
We stop and explain it. The finding, the proposed repair and the price are set out before we continue. Nothing is added to the job without your approval, and the estimate is updated in writing.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
- Chimney Animal RemovalAssess occupied chimney openings and plan appropriate follow-up cleaning or entry protection.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
We received your request
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