Hearth Repairs

[thiambal]

Hi guys,

We had a cast iron combination fire replaced in our house a few months ago. The original had been removed in the 1970s to make way for a back boiler which had sat on a course of bricks laid on the constructional hearth.

To fit the new fire place the firm we employed knocked off the course of bricks and placed the new fire onto the constructional heath. (I know modern regs require an additional hearth on top but as all the other original fires in the house just sit on the constructional hearth and function safetly [touch wood] we were went for the tradtional option)

I have discovered this evening that they caused damage to to the constructional hearth at the back of the grate and beyond which they did not repair. As such there is damage in the constructional hearth at least an inch deep. Due to the fireplace being in situ there I cannot tell what state it is in back to the rear of the chimney breast.

Obviously this needs remedying before the fireplace can be used. Removing it to repair is not an option as the last coat of paint on my freshing papered and decorated room has gone on today. The fire will of course not be lit directly on the hearth but I am concerned about the potential for embers missing the ashpan and falling down into the damaged hearth behind the fireplace.

I have found these two products (links below) which I thought could be used for a repair. The screed fed into the front of the damage which is visable to fill up the space behind as much as possible and finished level with the back of the cast iron. Then the sealer to ensure and ember tight finish.

http://www.hotline-chimneys.co.uk/products.asp?partno=HPS

http://www.hotline-chimneys.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=2353

What do people think of this solution? Any potential problems? Any other possible solutions?

I do intend first to get the firm who did the work back but I suspect their solution will be to superfically repair the damage with regular cement - not ideal.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Sam

 

[Ian Bond]

I wonder what's likely to be underneath the back hearth?

If it is any consolation, my house has the front hearth level with the floorboards. It is just a 2 1/2 thick slab of stone, resting on joists, with gaps and all. The joists have iron bars bolted to them that locate in the masonry of the chimney breast.

That's upstairs - downstairs it's all flagged.

They managed to use these fireplaces for more than 150 years without burning the house down. But it does look worrying, and I can see why you are concerned.

The repairs you suggest sound reasonable. I'd get the firm back in to discuss your concerns, and see if you can agree on repairs. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

I've just rebuilt a massively damaged stone fireplace and chimney breast - very scary indeed, I'm relieved the house didn't collapse whilst I was doing it!!!

Hope it gets sorted - will be nice to have a working fire, won't it?

 

[thiambal]

Partial Success!!

Remebered in whilst lying in bed in the wee hours that I could get a good view and access to the hearth behind the combination grate by removing the grate and fire brick from the combination.

The result reveals that the hearth is damaged to a depth of about 1 inch for a bout 4 3-4inchs from the rear wall of the chimney. I should imagine I can clear the debris away and repair with that ceramic based cement stuff.

Also discovered that the the bloody builders (fireplace specialists) did not backfill behind the combination. Therefore there is a big open space which will conduct heat away from my fire nicely. The good news is that the removal of the firebrick allows sufficient access to do a bit of back filling with miscellaneous rubble.

I am minded to agree with Ian about having the firm back. But on the other hand I suspect that just fixing it myself will be simpler than having to have an argument with them, then unpick their half arsed attempt at a fix and then do it again myself anyway. :wink:

 

[Ian Bond]

Yep - been there done that myself. It is often easier to fix it yourself then go to the additional hassle of arguing. And in some cases you don't want them coming back and making it even worse.

What annoys me in this type of situation is that the bodgers are blissfully unaware of the problems that their cack-handed workmanship has caused.

Anyway, it sounds like you've got a plan. You may need that fire going - we had our first snow here today (well a few flakes, but it was very festive, even for a grumpy Christmas hater like me!!!!)