Fireplace restoration, firebox to face, for Whisper Walk homes
An old fireplace can often be brought back without rebuilding it, and we explain how.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
When an old fireplace needs more than one repair
- Loose or missing firebrick
- Musty smell from the fireplace
- Crumbling joints in the face brick
- Earlier repairs that keep failing
Jump to
Old fireplace restoration, step by step
The right mortar for the firebox
The mortar in a firebox is not the same as the mortar in a garden wall. The building code calls for firebrick to be laid with a refractory mortar made for high heat. Ordinary mortar can break down under direct fire.
Every firebox joint we set or refill uses a heat-rated fireplace mortar, applied and cured as its maker directs. If earlier repairs used the wrong material, we explain whether it has to come out. The mortar is hard to see once the work is done, so the estimate names it.
Mortar no harder than the brick
Repointing mortar should be softer and more permeable than the brick around it. Preservation guidance explains why. If the mortar is harder, stress and moisture move into the brick instead, and the brick edges can crack or spall.
We choose a mortar that suits the brick in the face, not the strongest one available. That choice is what lets the face last. If earlier repairs used a hard mortar that is now damaging the brick, we explain the problem and whether those joints should be redone.
A musty smell from an idle fireplace
Idle fireplaces often smell musty. Damp deposits in the firebox, on the smoke shelf and in the flue give off odor, and air moving down the flue carries it into the room.
Restoration often reduces that smell by cleaning the fireplace, clearing the shelf and restoring a damper that closes. We explain which of those steps are likely to help your fireplace. If moisture is getting in from outside, we note its likely source and list that repair separately. The smell often fades once the damper closes properly and the deposits are gone.
Dust and noise during the work
Removing old mortar and cutting out damaged brick make noise and dust. Cleaning makes less noise but can involve water and brushes near the opening.
We protect the room, manage dust at the source and clean up as we go. If there are times when noise would be a problem, tell us and we plan the loud steps around them. When the work is done, debris is bagged and hauled away, and the area is cleaned before we leave. Tell us about anyone in the house who is sensitive to dust, so we take extra care at the opening.
Restoration items you approve one by one
- Face brick cleaned by the gentlest method
- Small hidden test area before cleaning
- Separate notes on chimney-side findings
- Free written estimate before any work
Questions before restoring a fireplace
What does a fireplace restoration include?
It returns a neglected fireplace to safe use and to the look it was built with, under one plan. Typical items are firebrick and firebox repairs, damper work, smoke chamber parging, face cleaning and repointing, and hearth repairs, each priced separately.
Can you restore a factory-built fireplace as well?
Yes, within its listing. Panels, grates and other replacement parts have to come from that model's own parts list. The label on the unit gives the model and serial number we order by.
Do I need to empty the room for restoration work?
No. Clear the area in front of the fireplace and move fragile items nearby. We cover the hearth and floor, manage dust at the opening and haul debris away when each stage is done.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Flashing RepairRepair the chimney-to-roof connection with a scope that accounts for the adjoining roofing and masonry.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
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