Fireboxes
The firebrick inside a fireplace takes direct heat every time you light a fire. Over the years the joints open up and bricks crack. Heat that gets through those gaps reaches the brick and framing behind the firebox. We replace damaged firebrick and repoint the joints with mortar made for that heat.
Dampers
A stuck-open damper sends heated air up the chimney all winter. A stuck-shut one sends smoke into the room. We repair or replace the damper above the firebox, or add a top-mount damper that seals the top of the flue for $1,200 to $1,450.
Wood stoves and inserts
Stoves and inserts burn hotter and tighter than an open fireplace, so their venting matters more. We sweep the flue the unit vents into and look over the stovepipe or liner that joins it to the chimney, since gaps and rust tend to show up there first.
Gas fireplaces
Gas fireplaces need attention too: the glass clouds over, the logs shift out of place, and the burner collects dust and lint. We clean them and look over the logs, burner and glass.
Signs your fireplace needs work
- Gaps between firebricks, or bricks that are cracked or crumbling
- A damper that sticks, won't stay shut, or lets in a cold draft
- Smoke spilling out of the opening while a fire burns
- Rust on a stovepipe or flakes of metal in the firebox
- Gas logs that burn with a lot of soot or uneven flames
What it costs
An inspection is $49 and a sweep is $349. Firebox and damper repairs depend on how much brick or hardware needs replacing, so the price comes in writing after we've looked at the fireplace.
