Fireplace Cracks: Causes and How to Deal With Them

Even if you don’t use your fireplace all the time, you should always be on the lookout for cracks or other signs of damage. The cracks that appear in your fireplace are caused by different factors, especially the type of material used. As such, you’ll need to get it routinely inspected and maintained if you want to keep your home safe as you enjoy the warmth of your fireplace. 

Fireplace maintenance should also be done by a trusted expert chimney sweep and repair company. 

The Usual Causes

It’s almost inevitable for hairline cracks to appear in fireboxes and fireplaces. This is because they’re constantly going through expansion and contraction, though this will depend on the material used. Wood framing around your fireplace, for instance, is often more susceptible to cracking especially with the metal box housing the fireplace because the metal can expand when it gets excessively hot. Cracks can also happen on the hot panels when they get struck hard enough by the metal stoker rod. Even thermal shock can cause cracks if you extinguish the flames by tossing water to your fireplace.

The age of your fireplace also plays a big factor in how it can develop cracks as erosion will happen to the mortar joints of your fireplace after a few years. This will lead to small cracks after years of heating up and cooling down. Its maintenance plays a factor as well, so regular inspection by a professional in chimney masonry repair is necessary if you want your fireplace to stay in good condition. Only a pro knows how to reinforce the fireplace and chimney whenever necessary to prevent cracks. Otherwise, your fireplace becomes more susceptible to more cracks and other types of damage.

Preventing Future Damage

You can repair any hairline cracks that you find using refractory caulk that’s rated for fireplaces. However, the crack and surrounding area must be cleaned thoroughly before you fill it with caulk to remove any loose mortar and ensure a successful fix. Of course, you don’t need to go through the work yourself since you can just let your trusted chimney professionals do it! This is also recommended, especially if you have larger cracks on your fireplace.

When it comes to reliable chimney relining and cleaning, Chimney Doctors is the name to count on in the area. Call us at (518) 882-5009, or fill out our convenient contact form! We serve Clifton Park, NY, and the surrounding areas.