Cracked hearths repaired and rebuilt in Oakshire

A hearth damaged by water from above

Water that runs down a chimney can end up in the firebox and spread across the hearth. Stains, loose tiles and a musty smell in the fireplace are the usual clues.

Repairing the hearth first and the leak second wastes money, since the water comes back. We identify the path, recommend the leak repair as its own job and plan the hearth work after it, so the new finish goes onto a dry base.

• Water stains at the back of the firebox
• Loose tiles near the opening
• A musty smell in the fireplace
• White deposits on brick or grout

A hearth in a fireplace that has sat unused

A fireplace left unused for years often has a hearth that became a shelf, a plant stand or a spot for a television. Loose tiles and cracks can go unnoticed under those objects.

Before the first fire in a long time, we clear the extension, check the finish and the base, and confirm the size against the opening. Any repairs go on a written list, and chimney and firebox checks are scheduled as their own service if they are due.

• Extension cleared and checked
• Finish tapped and looked over
• Size confirmed against the opening
• Chimney and firebox checks booked separately if due

Matching grout color on a partial repair

New grout beside old grout rarely matches on day one. Old grout has picked up ash, cleaning products and years of foot traffic, and fresh grout dries to its true color over time.

We clean the existing grout near the repair before choosing a color, test it where it will not show and explain how close the match is likely to be. When the difference would stand out, regrouting the whole hearth gives an even result.

Brick hearths laid in patterns

Brick hearths are laid in running bond, herringbone, basketweave and other patterns. A repair has to follow the same pattern, joint width and brick size, or the patch reads from across the room.

We record the pattern and the joint profile before lifting anything, then relay the units the same way. If replacement brick is needed, we look for size and color first, then texture, and show you the choice before it goes in.

• Running bond
• Herringbone
• Basketweave
• Stack bond and borders