Local chimney and fireplace service for Richmond Estates

Dark or scorched wood on a mantel, trim that feels hot during a fire or paint blistering above the opening are warnings that heat is reaching materials that cannot take it. In Richmond Estates, one of Orlando's recognized neighborhoods, our technicians treat those signs as a reason to stop using the fireplace until the cause is found.

For a masonry fireplace, the Florida Residential Code sets minimum distances between the fireplace opening and combustible trim and mantels, with more clearance required for parts that project further out. For a factory-built fireplace, the installation manual sets its own clearances, and they vary from model to model. A mantel added after the fireplace was built, a thicker shelf or decorative trim that crept closer during a remodel can end up inside those limits.

Heat damage can also come from the fireplace itself. A large, hot fire in a small firebox, a fireplace burning with its doors open when the manufacturer calls for them closed, or cracks in the firebox that let heat through to the surround can all overheat nearby materials. We look at how the fireplace is used, as well as how it is built.

The fix may be moving or replacing the mantel, adding a noncombustible surround, installing a heat-deflecting hood or repairing the firebox. Where the clearance problem cannot be solved with the current fireplace, we explain the options, including a different unit designed for the space. Do not paint over scorch marks or add another layer of trim.

That hides the problem and adds more fuel close to the heat. Take a note of when you noticed the damage and how you have been using the fireplace. Our family-owned company does the inspection in Richmond Estates free, with every recommendation priced upfront in writing. A job booked within 72 hours after the free inspection receives 10% off, and we back our fireplace repairs with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.