Hearth tile and stone repair in Robinson Hills

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.

When the front edge of the hearth drops

A hearth extension whose front edge has sunk below the floor, or tipped away from the fireplace, has lost support somewhere. The finish often cracks along the line where the slab bends.

Our specialists check whether the drop is still moving, how far it reaches and what carries the slab. Depending on the answer, the fix may be to re-support and reset the existing extension or to remove it and build a new one on proper noncombustible support.

• Whether the drop is still moving
• How far along the edge it runs
• What carries the slab underneath
• Whether re-support or a rebuild fits

Refreshing a dated hearth without rebuilding it

Some hearths are structurally fine and simply look tired, with stained grout, dull tile or a color that clashes with a new floor. Refreshing the surface can be a smaller job than homeowners expect.

Depending on the finish, the options include deep cleaning, regrouting, replacing a band of tiles or renewing the finish on the existing base. Any change stays noncombustible and within the extension's required size, and the estimate says so.

• Deep cleaning
• Regrouting
• A band of new tile
• A renewed finish on the existing base

Hearth repairs for rental properties

Owners and managers of rental homes often see a hearth only between tenants. By then a small crack may have grown, and a new tenant is due to move in.

We work to a clear written scope that separates safety items from cosmetic ones, so owners can decide what must be done now and what can wait. Access arranged through a manager works well, as long as someone can confirm the scope before work starts.