Hearth tile and stone repair in Thornton Park

A hearth rug is an extra layer on top of the hearth

Fire-resistant hearth rugs sit on a hearth or on the floor in front of it. They catch ash and small sparks, yet the code's size rule is written for the hearth extension itself, built of noncombustible material on noncombustible support.

If a rug is covering a short or damaged extension, we recommend repairing the extension and treating the rug as an extra. We point out, too, when a rug is hiding cracks that belong on the repair list.

Fitting hearth work into a remodel

During a living room remodel, the hearth is often the last thing planned and the first thing damaged. Flooring, paint and furniture all meet the hearth, and every trade wants its edge finished first.

We suggest settling the hearth plan before the flooring is ordered, covering its size, height and material and who finishes which edge. That order keeps the extension to size and avoids cutting new floorboards twice.

• Hearth size settled first
• Finish height agreed
• Edges assigned to one trade
• Flooring ordered afterward

Hearth items on a home inspection report

Home inspection reports often mention a cracked hearth, loose tiles or an extension that looks short. The note may be brief, and the buyer and seller both need to know what it means.

We visit, measure and write down the condition and the repair options in plain language. A written scope lets both sides discuss a defined job, and it separates hearth repairs from any chimney or firebox items on the same report.

• Condition of the finish and base
• Extension size against the opening
• Repair options in plain language
• Separate lines for chimney or firebox items

Removing old hearth tile without harming the fireplace

Breaking out a hearth finish next to a fireplace face and a finished floor takes care. Heavy blows travel into the firebox and surround, and a slipped chisel can mark flooring you want to keep.

We cut relief lines at the edges first, remove the finish in small pieces and work away from the parts that stay. If something unexpected turns up under the finish, we stop and show you before the scope changes.