Expert: James Ball - 1/14/2008

Question
I live in a rental property that has a wood burning fireplace. the fireplace has cracks in the back and the floor of the fire box. the sides of the box are thin metal pieces and the back and floor are cement with a brick like pattern on it. is it possible to use furnace cement to fill in these cracks to ensure there is not a problem with hot coals or the heat itself causing a fire either in the exterior wall or under the fireplace? I live in Oklahoma and as I said this is a rental.

Answer
Hello David, they make replacement panels for these "pre-fab" fireplaces these are metal fireplaces with a ceramic walls and floors. Can you use furnace cement?, You can try but it may not last with the hot and cold expanding and contracting.
ask the land lord to replace the panels (you are paying for a fireplace)
for a certified sweep that can do this go to (www.csia.org)
Hope this helped
James Ball
hope this helped