Family-owned prefab fireplace repair serving Robinswood

Finding the rating plate on your fireplace

Every listed factory-built fireplace carries a rating plate with the maker, the model and the serial number. One maker's manual places it on the smoke shelf, just inside the top of the opening, and the manual for your model shows where yours sits.

We find and read that plate before discussing any part. With the fireplace cold, you can often spot it yourself with a flashlight, and writing down the model and serial number before you call speeds up the parts search.

• Maker's name
• Model name or number
• Serial number
• Listing information

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

Manufactured firelogs in a prefab fireplace

Some makers allow processed solid-fuel firelogs. One maker's manual says to use only firelogs evaluated for the application, to follow the warnings on the package and to avoid poking or stirring them while they burn.

If you use firelogs, keep the package and your fireplace manual together and read both. We can tell you what your model's manual allows during the free inspection.

• Only firelogs evaluated for the fireplace
• Package warnings followed
• No poking or stirring while they burn

Air spaces that must stay empty

Clearances around a factory-built fireplace and its chimney are air spaces, and one maker's manual warns against packing required air spaces with insulation or other materials. The same maker says blown insulation is never to be used to fill the chimney enclosure.

Stuffed insulation, stored boxes and leftover lumber in a chase or around the unit turn up on repair visits. We clear what we can reach and point out anything that needs removal before the fireplace is used.