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Chimney & Fireplaces/Cracks in back of fireplace

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Expert: - 11/2/2007


Question
WE bought a house this past summer that is 21 years old. It was in foreclosure so we have no history of the house. The fireplace has some cracks that "spider" on what looks like a brick-looking panel in the back of the fireplace. It is a wood burning fireplace with gas running to it. I presume this is for lighting purposes. Is there something that I can fill the cracks with for a safe repair? The previous and only homeowner of this house built an addition onto the fireplace side of the house so that the old exterior fireplace walls are now inside the house (only on the main level) just in case this info is pertinent to any answer you may give.

Answer
Joe,

The information you have provided tells me you have a factory built fireplace. These products will have what is called a listing label. This label is a small metal plate that contains such information as to the manufacture, model number, etc.

I would recommend contracting with an hearth inspector, chimney sweep, or any qualified specialist familiar with the requirements of an NFPA-211, level II inspection. This inspection is a requirement of NFPA at the sale or transfer of property. This refractory panel or brick-looking panel as you called it may actually be fine with some cracks but you will want to hear that from a pro. Good luck.

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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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