Expert: James Ball - 2/23/2009

Question
Hi James,
We have a Desa wood burning fireplace and I could have sworn that there were indentations in the bottom refractory brick panels for the grate to sit in.  My husband mortared them up with fireplace sealant because he thought the grate was making the holes in it.  I can't find a picture of the panels anywhere.  It makes sense that they where there to keep the grate from slipping.  Should we chisel them out?

Answer
Hello Stacy, you should not have altered the fire brick in that type of fireplace. do not do any thing more I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have they should be able to help.
James