Hearth repair specialists for Boggy Creek fireplaces

How far the extension reaches in front and to the sides

Section R1001.10 sets the size. A hearth extension reaches at least 16 inches in front of the fireplace opening and at least 8 inches beyond each side of it. Those figures apply to openings smaller than 6 square feet.

We measure your existing extension against the opening, then mark where it meets or misses the rule. A hearth that looks generous can still be short at one side, and a narrow apron often explains why floor finishes near the fireplace carry heat marks.

What is inside a raised hearth bench

A raised hearth bench can be solid masonry, masonry over a hollow core, or a frame covered with a finish. What sits inside decides whether it can carry people sitting on it, and whether the top gives the protection a hearth needs.

When a bench hearth cracks or sags, we look inside through the damaged area before recommending anything. A hollow or framed core under a thin top usually needs rebuilding rather than a new layer of tile, and the estimate explains why.

Refreshing a dated hearth without rebuilding it

Some hearths are structurally fine and simply look tired, with stained grout, dull tile or a color that clashes with a new floor. Refreshing the surface can be a smaller job than homeowners expect.

Depending on the finish, the options include deep cleaning, regrouting, replacing a band of tiles or renewing the finish on the existing base. Any change stays noncombustible and within the extension's required size, and the estimate says so.

• Deep cleaning
• Regrouting
• A band of new tile
• A renewed finish on the existing base

A hearth in a fireplace that has sat unused

A fireplace left unused for years often has a hearth that became a shelf, a plant stand or a spot for a television. Loose tiles and cracks can go unnoticed under those objects.

Before the first fire in a long time, we clear the extension, check the finish and the base, and confirm the size against the opening. Any repairs go on a written list, and chimney and firebox checks are scheduled as their own service if they are due.

• Extension cleared and checked
• Finish tapped and looked over
• Size confirmed against the opening
• Chimney and firebox checks booked separately if due