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Chimney & Fireplaces/fake bricks used inside fireplace

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Expert: - 3/18/2010


Question
Dear Expert, just purchased a new home, and after using the fireplace this winter, what we thought were bricks inside the fireplace started to crack. We called the builder and they replaced them,(they are actually panels that look like bricks) after having a few more fires, the panels have cracked again, we contacted the builder again, and he said that this was normal. We are afraid to use the fireplace anymore..do you know anything about this panels?

Answer
Barbara,

Yes, I know a great deal about these panels. They are called refractory panels and the fireplaces that use the are factory built fireplaces or fireplaces that are metal in construction and have double wall metal pipe as a chimney system. These panels are very fragile and require some curing under small fires to drive the production moisture from the panels. Even if this is done, these panels are weak links to to the system and will require replacement for the expected life of the fireplace. It is extremely important that these panels are only replaced with OEM factory made and tested for safety panels and some cut to fit after market parts. I would also recommend that you find a qualified certified chimney sweep to service your fireplace every year and never discard the manufacture installation instruction as long you own the home. this will have replacement info inside for finding the listed replacement parts you will need in the future. Best of luck to you and your family in your new home.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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