Hearth repair in Kingswood Manor

Trim and mantels close to the opening

Hearth work often brings the surround into view. Another exception in section R1001.11 lets combustible mantels or trim sit on a masonry fireplace front only 6 inches or more from the opening, and inside the first 12 inches each inch of distance allows just 1/8 inch of projection.

Mantel rebuilding sits outside a hearth repair, yet we point out trim that sits closer than those numbers so you can decide how to handle it while the room is already under work.

The ash dump door in the hearth floor

Some masonry fireplaces have an ash dump, a small cast-iron door in the inner hearth that drops ashes into a chamber below. Its frame can loosen in the masonry, and the door can warp, rust or go missing.

A loose or missing ash dump door leaves an opening into that chamber. We reset or replace the frame and door with a fitting unit and seal it into the hearth floor. If you no longer use the ash dump, we can discuss closing it properly as part of the work.

• Frame reset or replaced
• Door replaced with a fitting unit
• Sealed into the hearth floor
• Closed off if you no longer use it

Sealing natural stone after a repair

Natural stone hearths, from slate to limestone, absorb liquids and ash residue unless the surface is sealed. A repair that replaces a few pieces can leave new stone looking lighter or darker than the old.

We clean and prepare the surrounding stone so the repair blends, then apply a sealer suited to the stone and the location if you want one. We also tell you how to clean it, since some cleaners etch stone and undo the work.

Hearth repairs for rental properties

Owners and managers of rental homes often see a hearth only between tenants. By then a small crack may have grown, and a new tenant is due to move in.

We work to a clear written scope that separates safety items from cosmetic ones, so owners can decide what must be done now and what can wait. Access arranged through a manager works well, as long as someone can confirm the scope before work starts.