Cracked hearth and tile repair in Richmond West
We keep hearth repair separate from firebox work and from the room flooring, so each decision is clear.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the hearth has moved
- Loose stones on a raised hearth
- A gap opening at the fireplace face
- Grout crumbling near the opening
- Metal hearth strip missing at the unit
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Repairing, extending or replacing a hearth
The written record of hearth work
When the hearth is finished, you receive a written record of the work. It notes what was replaced on the surface, what was done to the base or support, and the materials used, including any tile or stone source.
It also lists setting times still running and anything we saw but did not touch. Keep it with your fireplace papers. If more tile is needed later, the record helps find the same material, and it shows exactly what the workmanship warranty covers.
New flooring and the hearth's height
A new floor that is thicker than the old one changes the height relationship between the room and the hearth. A flush hearth can end up sitting below the floor, and a raised one can look lower than intended.
For a masonry fireplace with a raised firebox, the height of the opening above the hearth also matters to the code's thinner-hearth allowance. We check the fireplace as it will stand after the new floor, not only as it stands today, and explain any change needed.
Heavy items resting on the hearth
Stone planters, cast-iron log racks and large decorations are often placed on a hearth. The code expects a hearth to carry its own weight and imposed loads, but point loads on a thin finish can still crack tiles or slabs.
If cracks sit under where a heavy item stands, the item is part of the cause. We note it on the visit. After the repair, spreading the load with a suitable base, or moving the item, helps the new surface last. Tell us about anything heavy that usually sits on the hearth, even if you moved it for the visit.
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
- Surface tapped for hollow areas
- Combustible material under the hearth checked
- Dust kept near the work area
- Workmanship warranty on the hearth work
Your hearth questions, in plain terms
Is my hearth big enough for the fireplace?
That depends on the fireplace. A masonry fireplace follows the code's rules for the extension, which grow with the size of the opening. A factory-built unit follows its own manual. We measure both on the visit and tell you plainly whether the hearth falls short.
What if wood was left under my hearth when it was built?
The code says combustible material must not remain against the underside of a hearth. If the signs suggest it, we explain what opening a small section would show and price that step first. Any wood found is removed as part of the repair you approve.
How does the inspection discount work for hearth repairs?
Save 10% on the hearth lines you approve, provided you book them within 72 hours of your free inspection. The hours run from your own inspection visit rather than from your call. If you decide later, the estimate keeps its written price.
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