Hearth tile and stone repair in Wyndham Lakes

Hearths on concrete slabs and on framed floors

A hearth resting on a concrete slab and one resting on a framed floor fail in different ways. On a slab, cracks tend to follow the concrete beneath. On a framed floor, deflection and damp in the framing are the usual suspects.

We identify which you have at the start, since it changes what the repair must include. Where a framed floor is involved, access from below, when the house has it, helps us judge the support without opening more of the hearth than necessary.

• On a slab, cracks follow the concrete
• On a framed floor, deflection and damp
• Access from below where the house has it

Hearths that are used as a seat or a step

A raised hearth often doubles as a seat, or as a step up to the mantel shelf. That use puts concentrated weight on the edge, which is exactly where thin tops and unsupported corners crack.

The residential code expects hearths to be reinforced to carry their own weight and all imposed loads. When we rebuild a hearth the family sits on, we plan the support for that use and tell you what the finished edge is built to take.

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

A hearth in a fireplace that has sat unused

A fireplace left unused for years often has a hearth that became a shelf, a plant stand or a spot for a television. Loose tiles and cracks can go unnoticed under those objects.

Before the first fire in a long time, we clear the extension, check the finish and the base, and confirm the size against the opening. Any repairs go on a written list, and chimney and firebox checks are scheduled as their own service if they are due.

• Extension cleared and checked
• Finish tapped and looked over
• Size confirmed against the opening
• Chimney and firebox checks booked separately if due