Fireplace Facings

Why it is important to make sure your fireplace facing is in good condition?

On a regular basis I am asked to inspect home owner's fireplaces. When I see cracks in the facing (also known as fireplace front), I tap on the facing and hear hollow sounds indicating there may be a problem. Usually cracks are caused by the angle bar support over the fireplace opening rusting which causes the steel to expand and crack the mortar. Usually if the steel has rusted due to water penetration the mortar is soft.

You must understand at the mantle height behind the drywall or worse yet lathe and plaster is wood which is very flammable. House fires can easily start at this location in the fireplace. I find a lot of home owners get confused when getting several quotes. They are some times told to fill the cracks with mortar or just install tile or other materials right over top of existing fireplace facing which is not the correct solution. I always recommend removing the fireplace facing rebuild using new brick usually at a cost of $1,000.00. This way you can be sure your fireplace is safe. If you look in these pictures you can see the brick has actually collapsed.

The mortar is just sand and has strips of wood in the mortar joints. Why I do not know, wood should not be built into a chimney. This home owner would have burnt the house down eventually. I would say 50% of the time when we remove the old facing they are dangerous so it is very important to check them.

Rob Skujins
Dunbar Masonry & Construction Ltd.