Cracked hearths repaired and rebuilt in Lake Fredrica

Larger fireplace openings need a larger hearth

When the fireplace opening is 6 square feet or larger, section R1001.10 asks for more coverage, at least 20 inches in front of the opening and at least 12 inches beyond each side. A wide or tall opening crosses that line sooner than many homeowners expect.

We work out the area from the opening's width and height at the free inspection. If your fireplace falls into the larger class and the extension was built for the smaller one, the estimate shows how far it has to grow and which materials can extend it cleanly.

Hearths on concrete slabs and on framed floors

A hearth resting on a concrete slab and one resting on a framed floor fail in different ways. On a slab, cracks tend to follow the concrete beneath. On a framed floor, deflection and damp in the framing are the usual suspects.

We identify which you have at the start, since it changes what the repair must include. Where a framed floor is involved, access from below, when the house has it, helps us judge the support without opening more of the hearth than necessary.

• On a slab, cracks follow the concrete
• On a framed floor, deflection and damp
• Access from below where the house has it

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.

Removing old hearth tile without harming the fireplace

Breaking out a hearth finish next to a fireplace face and a finished floor takes care. Heavy blows travel into the firebox and surround, and a slipped chisel can mark flooring you want to keep.

We cut relief lines at the edges first, remove the finish in small pieces and work away from the parts that stay. If something unexpected turns up under the finish, we stop and show you before the scope changes.