Hearth repair in Lake Avalon

The seam between the inner hearth and the extension

Many masonry fireplaces have a seam where the firebox floor meets the hearth extension, because the two were built at different times or from different materials. A hairline at that seam can be harmless, while an open, widening gap needs attention.

We check whether the two sides have moved apart or dropped relative to each other. A stable seam is cleaned and filled with a suitable noncombustible material. A seam that keeps opening points to the support, and we price that work separately.

Firewood and kindling kept on the hearth

The hearth extension looks like a natural place to stack logs and kindling. Fireplace manuals warn against placing clothing and other flammable materials on or near the appliance, and a pile of dry wood beside the opening falls into that category.

Wood kept on the extension also chips its edges and scratches its finish. We suggest keeping the protected area clear, with a rack set back from the hearth, and we repair any tiles the stacking has broken.

Why a flush hearth needs its full extension

A fireplace whose firebox floor sits at the height of the room floor has nothing to stop a rolling log or a spray of embers. The hearth extension in front of it is the only barrier between the fire and the floor.

That is why the code keeps the full thickness rule for flush fireplaces, and why we measure their extensions closely. If a flush hearth is short or thin, we treat it as a priority item on the estimate.

What the free hearth inspection covers

The free inspection is a real look at the hearth. We tap the finish, measure the opening and the extension, check the edges and the seam at the firebox, and look at the base wherever damage has already opened it.

You get the findings in plain words and a written estimate with upfront pricing. There is no charge for the visit, and you take 10% off if you book the repair within 72 hours after it.

• Finish tapped for hollow spots
• Opening and extension measured
• Edges and the firebox seam checked
• Base looked at where damage allows