Zero-clearance fireplace repair by local pros in Ocoee

What a maker needs to supply the right part

One maker's manual lists what to give when ordering a repair part, including the model number, the serial number, the part number, the description, the quantity and the installation date. Leave one out and the wrong part can arrive.

We gather that information during the free inspection and order through the maker's supply channel. The estimate names each part by its number, so you can see exactly what goes into your fireplace.

• Model number and serial number
• Part number and description
• Quantity needed
• Installation date of the fireplace

Stained panels and cosmetic kits

White or light refractory panels darken with use. One maker sells refractory stain kits to give white panels a new look, which changes their color and nothing else.

If your panels are sound and only discolored, a cosmetic option may be all you want. If they are cracked or broken, color treatment hides the problem, and we recommend replacement before any cosmetic work.

• Sound but discolored panels, cosmetic options possible
• Cracked or broken panels, replacement first

Discolored steel and scorched panels

Blue or straw coloring on steel and dark scorching on panels near the top of the firebox show where heat has been highest. Some color change is normal on a working fireplace, while heavy discoloration with warping points to fires hotter than the design.

We compare the marks with the rest of the unit and with the maker's list of overfiring signs. The finding shapes both the repair and the advice we give on how the fireplace is used afterward.

After roof work or a storm

Roof replacements and storms are hard on metal chimneys. Shingles come off around the pipe, the collar gets pushed down, the termination gets knocked and sometimes a section is loosened in the attic.

After any roof job, a quick check of the chimney top, the collar and the attic section is worth scheduling. We repair what the work disturbed with listed parts and note it for your records.

• Chimney top and termination
• Storm collar and caulk
• Pipe joints in the attic
• Supports and straps