Loose tiles and cracked hearths fixed in North Orange

Hot ashes and the hearth finish

Ash shoveled out of the firebox can hold hot cinders after the fire looks finished. One maker's manual has owners carry ashes out in a lidded metal container that closes tightly, and set it down on the ground or a noncombustible floor, far from anything that can burn.

A bucket on the hearth sits on a noncombustible surface, though its heat can still mark some finishes. If an ash container has left rings or cracks, we include those tiles in the repair and suggest a spot for the bucket that the finish can take.

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.

Reinforcement in a rebuilt hearth extension

Section R1001.9 requires hearths and extensions to be reinforced to carry their own weight and all imposed loads. On a rebuild, that reinforcement is designed into the new slab from the start.

We describe the base construction on the estimate, including its support and reinforcement, so you know the new extension is built as a structural part of the fireplace and more than a decorative pad.

• Noncombustible support under the slab
• Reinforcement for its own weight
• Capacity for the loads it will carry

Broken corner pieces on a hearth

Corners and the ends of edge pieces take hard knocks, and they are often the first parts of a hearth to break. A broken corner can expose the setting bed and let ash and moisture into the joint.

We cut out the broken piece cleanly and replace it with a matching corner or edge unit. Where the old profile is no longer made, we suggest a replacement shape for both corners so the hearth stays symmetrical.