Fireplace Repair
Hearth repair for Wagner homes
The hearth inspection is free, and the repair is explained before any material is ordered.
How far the extension has to reach
The code for masonry fireplaces sets the extension's reach from the size of the opening. Most openings need 16 inches of hearth out front and 8 inches on each side, while an opening of 6 square feet or more needs 20 inches out front and 12 on each side.
We measure the opening and the extension during every hearth inspection. If the existing extension falls short, we tell you before the repair is planned, because a repair is the natural time to put it right. The measurements are written into the quote, so you can see the existing size beside the figures that apply.
Where the floor meets the hearth
The join between the hearth and a wood or laminate floor is more than a finishing detail. The code for masonry fireplaces allows the edges of combustible flooring to butt against the hearth extension only when the edges are 12 inches or more from the inner face of the nearest firebox lining. The rule exists because the flooring edge is the combustible surface closest to the fire.
That distance is checked whenever a hearth or floor is being changed, and we plan the edge so the transition is neat and the flooring stays where it should. If a flooring contractor is involved, we agree the edge detail with them before either finish goes down.
Brick hearths and loose bricks
Brick hearths loosen one brick at a time. A brick that rocks, a joint that has crumbled or a corner that has broken away usually means the mortar under or around it has failed, and heat and foot traffic finish the job.
We remove loose bricks, clean out the old bed, reset them in fresh mortar and match the joint to its neighbours as closely as the mortar allows. Salvaged or matching brick is used where the original is broken. If many bricks are loose, we look at the base before resetting any of them. We brush the finished joints to the same profile as the old ones so the repair sits comfortably beside them.
Smoke stains on a brick hearth
Smoke leaves dark stains on brick in front of the opening. Brick industry guidance says scrubbing with scouring powder and a stiff bristle brush is often effective on smoke, and it warns that some cleaning solutions react with minerals in brick and can cause or worsen stains.
Any cleaner is therefore tried on a small, hidden area first. We clean brick hearths as part of a repair, and stone and tile follow their own makers' care instructions, since cleaners safe on brick can mark polished stone. Stubborn stains on stone or glazed tile are handled with products made for that material, tested first on a hidden area.
