Loose tiles and cracked hearths fixed in Aloma

Chipped edges on a raised hearth

A raised hearth has exposed front corners and a long top edge, and those take the knocks from fire tools, firewood and furniture. Chips there are mostly cosmetic, though a broken corner can leave sharp edges and let moisture into the joint.

Small chips can be dressed and filled with a material that suits the hearth finish. A broken corner piece is cut out and replaced. We show you both options on the estimate with the visible result of each.

Slate hearth tiles that flake or split

Slate splits in layers, and on a hearth those layers can begin to lift at the edges of a tile. A flaking surface catches ash, looks worn and gets worse under foot traffic.

Light flaking can sometimes be trimmed back and sealed. Tiles coming apart deeper are replaced. Because slate varies from lot to lot, we discuss color and thickness before ordering, so the new tiles sit flush with the old ones.

• Light flaking trimmed and sealed
• Deeper splits replaced
• New tiles matched for color and thickness

What a written hearth estimate should list

A useful hearth estimate reads like a plan. It names the fireplace type, the opening size and the extension size, then separates finish work from any base or support work.

Ours also lists removal and disposal, protection of the room, setting materials, edges and transitions, and when the fireplace can be used again. With upfront pricing on each line, you can compare options and approve exactly the work you want.

• Fireplace type and opening size
• Extension size against the rule that applies
• Finish work and base work as separate lines
• Date the fireplace can be used again

How heat reaches the floor through a hearth

Heat moves through solid material, so a thin or cracked hearth passes more of it toward whatever lies below. The code's thickness rules and some manuals' insulating layers exist to slow that path.

When we find scorched or darkened material at the edge of a hearth opening, we treat it as a sign that heat has been getting through. The repair restores the thickness and the layers before the finish is replaced.

• Thickness restored
• Insulating layers rebuilt where a manual calls for them
• Finish replaced last