Firebox repair and relining in Christmas

Cracks that open wide or run through the brick

A crack you can fit a fingernail into, one that runs through several bricks or one that has opened since last season is a different matter from a hairline line. Heat and gases can reach deeper into the wall through an open crack.

Our technicians trace where the crack starts and ends, check whether bricks on either side have moved and look for signs of heat behind the lining. The written estimate says whether replacing those bricks will close the gap or whether a larger section needs relining.

The firebox floor and the hearth in front

The floor inside the firebox and the hearth extension in front of the opening are different parts with different jobs. The firebox floor is lined for the fire. The hearth extension protects the floor of the room from sparks and embers.

Our firebox repair covers the lined floor inside the opening. If the hearth in front also has cracks, loose tiles or gaps, we note it separately and it is quoted as hearth repair, so you can see exactly what each part of the work involves.

Replacing individual firebricks

When damage is limited to a few bricks, replacing just those units is often the right repair. Each damaged brick is cut out carefully, the opening cleaned and a new firebrick set in refractory mortar with thin, full joints.

Our technicians match the new brick to the size of the old lining so the pattern stays even. The new brick will look lighter at first, and it darkens with use. You get the count of replaced bricks and the materials on your job sheet.

How long a firebox repair takes

A few replaced bricks can often be done in one visit. Repointing a whole firebox or relining a wall takes longer, and a rebuild takes longer still. Curing time before the first fire comes on top of the work itself.

Your written estimate gives the expected visit time and the curing guidance for the materials we plan to use, so you know when the fireplace can be used again before you approve the job.

Notes that help before the firebox visit

A few notes help us plan the visit and bring the right materials for your firebox.

• Where the cracks, gaps or loose bricks are, back wall, sides or floor
• Whether the damage has changed since you first saw it
• Any water, rust streaks or white deposits in the firebox
• Earlier repairs you know about and roughly when they were done
• When the fireplace was last used, so the brick is cold for the visit