Hearth extension repair done right in Timberleaf

What the hearth extension in front of the opening does

The hearth extension is the noncombustible floor that runs out in front of the fireplace opening and past its sides. Sparks, rolling embers and radiant heat land there instead of on wood flooring, carpet or a rug. The Florida Building Code, Residential, treats it as part of the fireplace, with rules for its material, thickness and size in sections R1001.9 and R1001.10.

Because it protects the floor, a hearth repair is judged by two questions at once. Does the finish hold together, and does the extension still cover the area it has to cover? Our pros answer both before any tile is lifted.

• Catches sparks and rolling embers
• Keeps radiant heat off the floor
• Marks the zone kept clear of rugs and furniture

The metal strip under the front of some fireplaces

Some factory-built fireplaces ship with an ember protector, a strip of galvanized sheet metal placed between the hearth extension and the bottom front edge of the unit. One maker's manual says it goes in before the fireplace is secured, to stop glowing embers from falling through that joint.

When a hearth is replaced, that strip can be bent, cut short or left out entirely. We check for it during removal and replace it with the maker's part or the specified sheet metal before the new finish closes the joint.

Keeping a hearth extension from sliding

A hearth built as a panel or from loose units on top of the floor can creep away from the fireplace over time. One maker's instructions call for a means to prevent the hearth extension from shifting, together with the sealed gap at the fireplace front.

Movement shows up as a widening joint at the firebox edge or a finish sitting off square. We find what lets it move, secure it and reset the edge so the extension stays tight against the fireplace.

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.