Hearth tile and stone repair in Whisper Lakes

Wood left under a hearth from the original build

Hearths were often poured over wooden forms, and the code is plain about what should happen afterward. Section R1001.9 says combustible material shall not remain against the underside of hearths and hearth extensions after construction.

Sometimes a repair reveals boards or plywood still in place under the slab. That finding changes the job from a surface fix to a support fix. We show you what was found, explain the options for removing it or rebuilding the extension on proper support, and wait for your approval before going further.

Sealing natural stone after a repair

Natural stone hearths, from slate to limestone, absorb liquids and ash residue unless the surface is sealed. A repair that replaces a few pieces can leave new stone looking lighter or darker than the old.

We clean and prepare the surrounding stone so the repair blends, then apply a sealer suited to the stone and the location if you want one. We also tell you how to clean it, since some cleaners etch stone and undo the work.

Matching grout color on a partial repair

New grout beside old grout rarely matches on day one. Old grout has picked up ash, cleaning products and years of foot traffic, and fresh grout dries to its true color over time.

We clean the existing grout near the repair before choosing a color, test it where it will not show and explain how close the match is likely to be. When the difference would stand out, regrouting the whole hearth gives an even result.

Replacing a manufactured hearth pad

Some fireplaces sit on a manufactured hearth pad instead of a built extension. A pad can crack, warp or lose pieces of its surface.

Before recommending a replacement pad, we read the fireplace's own manual for the size and protection it needs and look for a listing label on the pad. The replacement is chosen to meet the fireplace's requirement, since a pad that looks similar can offer different protection.

• Fireplace manual read first
• Listing label looked for on the pad
• Replacement chosen to match the requirement