Question from the Romantic Guy...

8-[

Here are a couple of pics from my new fireplace. It's between 40 and 45 years old. It needs to be cleaned/inspected, I know and it's been scheduled for 9/7. We had a couple of small fires in it just to check it out but there's a crack in the fire brick at the rear of the fireplace that concerns me. We had a pre-fab fireplace in our fireplace in Orlando and it cracked like this too but worse ~ It was only 1/2 thick too... Anyway, I'm looking for opinions ~ Nick?? I have full size pics that I can email for a better inspection if needed (they're huge!) BTW, for reference, the back wall is 24" wide.

Thanks

_ _

Originally Posted by Bryan S

No worries. There's cinder blocks behind that yet.

Hmmmm...After taking measurements, there might be room across the back but no way on the sides... Thanks Bryan.

[quote=Bryan S][quote="The Joker":3dw9uu80]

Originally Posted by "Bryan S":3dw9uu80

No worries. There's cinder blocks behind that yet.

Hmmmm...After taking measurements, there might be room across the back but no way on the sides... Thanks Bryan.[/quote:3dw9uu80]
That's how they build them. Cinder blocks then you line it with fire brick. They might have used the 1/2 cinders instead of the full size. Try a different tape measure funny man. [/quote:3dw9uu80]
I did and this time, it looks like full sized cinder block might just fit in there.....I assumed (You know what assume means, right Bryan??? ) that the outside dimensions were the same as the inside face brick. [-(

Nick? 8-[

[Griff]

Hey Joker

Is this the "first fire of the year" fireplace?

Griff

Originally Posted by Griff

Hey Joker

Is this the "first fire of the year" fireplace?

Griff

Uh...Yeah..... 8-[

[Woodman]

I would think a couple of layers of foil would hold it!

Thanks for all the help guys!

[Nick Prochilo]

Sorry Bill, I just found this thread. Is the fireplace on an outside wall of the house? The white I see seeping out of the crack seems to me that you have water penetrating the chimney some where. If it's an exterior chimney I wouldn't be concerned so much about the crack. If it's an interior chimney, I'd fix the crack. Simple fix is to open the crack with a small chisel or a diamond blade. Clean all loose dust out of crack and fill with refactory cement. (this can be purchased at a mason supply yard.) Before you apply the cement, wet the bricks a little with water. Pack the cement into the crack as deep as you can. Sponge off all excess cement before it dries and it will look fine. Next find the sorce of your water penetration! Keep me informed to what your doing!

Nick, thanks for the reply. Yes, the fireplace is on an outside wall. At 1st glance, there does seem to be something seeping through the cracks but there isn't. The white is actually the inside of the firebrick and concrete. Had 2 small fires with no rain for several days prior, during or afterward. Here are a few more pics (close ups) that might give a better view. We're having the FP cleaned and inspected next Wednesday...

[Larry Wolfe]

Fill the cracks with toothpaste!

Originally Posted by Larry Wolfe

Fill the cracks with toothpaste!

How 'bout foil???

[Finney]

Originally Posted by Larry Wolfe

Fill the cracks with toothpaste!

College kid. #-o

[Nick Prochilo]

Bill, the most probable cause for the crack is that the area around the firebox, between the firebricks and the exterior bricks is filled solid with mortar or cement. When the fireplace gets hot during a fire, the masonry expands. If it has no where to move, a crack will form. The back wall of the firebox is usually filled solid between the walls for the foundation of the smoke chamber. Like I said, fill it with refactory cement and don't worry about it.

Thanks Nick!

Originally Posted by The Joker

Uh...Yeah..... 8-[

Sooooo..... Was there some meaning to that question other than I shouldn't have fired up that fireplace? 8-[

[Griff]

Nah, no hidden meaning. Just curious. I don't have a clue whether you should have fired it up or not.

Griff

Well, the cleaning and inspection are complete ~ Clean bill of health! He said this fireplace is extremely sound ~ One of the better ones he's seen, especially considering it's age. He pressed some stuff called "Heat Stop" into the crack which will help prevent the crack from getting worse but it wasn't a bad crack. Now, where's my fire wood???

Looking in the Classifieds, I can get mixed all hardwood for $70 to $85, All cherry from $75 to $100, some with delivery, some, delivery is extra. Also, one person has Hickory and some oak is available. All these prices are for 1 cord, 4X8X16-18"...And one person delivers by the semi-tractor load ~ No price given. Now, my question is: Out of the hardwoods listed, do some of them burn hotter? Faster?

I burned some cherry on the 2nd small fire I had a couple of weeks ago and it seemed to burn quicker than I remember oak burning when I was in Florida, so I'm wondering if anyone has noticed or knows of a difference in burn time on these woods.

Originally Posted by Bryan S

Here you go funny man. ENJOY your reading. =D> http://mb-soft.com/juca/print/firewood.html

Thanks ScarFace. Any other input?

[Bruce B]

Bill,

When I use to burn wood, (prior to going to lump, foil, thermometers, and injections and finally gas), I use to burn all Oak in my fireplace. Use to make some great fires and nice aroma. Long burning also.