Repairing the hearth in front of the fire in Gladeview
We find out whether the finish failed or the support moved, then write up the repair you approve.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the hearth has moved
- A crack back after an earlier repair
- A gap opening at the fireplace face
- Grout crumbling near the opening
- Loose bricks along the hearth border
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The steps of a hearth repair
Flooring or finishes laid over the extension
A hearth extension has to stay noncombustible across its whole area. Laminate, vinyl, wood or carpet laid over part of it reduces the protected zone, even if the brick or tile is still there underneath.
If a finish has crept onto the hearth during a renovation, we point it out and explain the requirement. Removing it may be simple. Where it was glued down or trimmed into place, the estimate lists its removal and the repair of the hearth surface beneath as their own items.
Tile and marble are finishes, not insulation
It is easy to assume that a thick stone or tile surface protects the floor on its own. Maker's tables tell a different story. Tile and marble conduct heat readily, and they would have to be very thick to match the insulating board a listing may call for.
That matters when a factory-built hearth is rebuilt with a new finish. Swapping the finish is fine; dropping the insulating board beneath it is not. We keep the layers the manual requires and explain which layer does which job, so the new hearth looks right and still protects the floor.
Building out a hearth that is too short
Where a hearth extension is too small for its fireplace, extending it adds noncombustible floor where the rules call for it. The new section needs the same kind of base and support as the rest.
We plan how the extension will join the existing hearth and how its finish will match or contrast. We also plan how the room floor will be cut back and finished at the new edge. The estimate shows the extension, the floor edge work and any finish choices as separate lines.
Paint and coatings on a brick hearth
A painted brick hearth can hide cracked units and open joints. Paint near the opening may also blister or peel with heat. Removing paint from brick takes care, because harsh stripping can scar the faces.
Brick industry guidance on cleaning favors the gentlest effective method, tried on a small area before the whole surface. If you want paint removed as part of a hearth repair, it appears as its own line with the method named. If you would rather keep a painted finish, we repair the brick and joints beneath and explain what the coating may do near the fire.
Hearth work written up line by line
- Temporary make-safe for loose edges
- Optional sealing on its own line
- Firebox and surround items listed separately
- Written record listing hearth materials
Hearth support, size and finish explained
Will the new tile match the rest of my hearth?
It depends on whether the tile is still made or a spare is stored in the house. Where an exact match is not possible, we show options such as a border, a pattern change or a full resurface, each with its own price.
Why do you tap on the hearth tiles during the visit?
A tile that is firmly stuck down sounds dull and solid, while one that has lost its bond sounds hollow. Hollow tiles are the next to crack or lift. Tapping the whole hearth shows how far the problem reaches before we price anything.
Are hairline cracks in a concrete hearth a concern?
Fine shrinkage cracks are common in concrete and are often stable. Cracks that widen, step or come with a loose or dropped edge are different, and they point to the base or support. We check which kind you have before suggesting any work.
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