Chimney & Fireplaces/Fireplace floor repair

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Expert: - 3/15/2011


Question

Fireplace front
I was hoping that you could provide me a little advice. My home was build in the 1950s and has a completed basement and one above ground floor. I was going to replace the tiles in front of my fireplace on the above ground floor. It was a wood burning fireplace that was partially converted to a gas fireplace When I removed the old tile, I found that the floor and the floor joist in front of the fireplace (under the tile)  had at one time smoldered and burned. The joist that went under the fireplace is no longer attached to the cement foundation and that there is a hole under my fireplace where the joist originally went. In the picture you can see the hole above the yellow insulation foam that had been sprayed up in there when the basement ceiling was worked on. I am not sure how I should go about fixing this. Thanks

Answer
Hello Charles, you are missing your "Hearth Extension", check with your local building department (should be 16-20" out) all the wood will have to come out and a Cement slab will have to be poured (then you can add tile, slate, brick...etc), so you need a very good builder and maybe a mason.
James

James Ball

Expertise

I am a chimney sweep with over 22 years of experience, CSIA certified and member of the NCSG, I can answer questions about smoky fire places, wood stoves, and heating units (boiler and furnace chimneys) do you need a relining? A cap? And much more

Experience

over 22 years

Organizations
Chimney Safety Institute of America, National Chimney Sweep Guild

Education/Credentials
CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified

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