We Rebuild Fireboxes for Our Memphis Customers
The firebox has one of the toughest jobs – it must stand up, use after use, to the immensely hot fires you build in it, as well as withstand the hot gases that result from those fires. Unfortunately, high heat and hot gas can wear down even the strongest and sturdiest materials, and the firebox bricks are no exception.
The firebox must also deal with the effects of your home settling over time, which can cause cracks and gaps to form. Considering what the firebox is up against, it’s understandable that firebox repairs or a full rebuild might be necessary at some point for your Memphis home’s fireplace.
When Coopertown Services technicians inspect your chimney system, we’ll take a close look at the firebox to make sure that cracks, mortar joints erosion, or other damage hasn’t occurred in its walls or base. If issues or defects are found, we’ll talk with you about the best ways to bring your fireplace back to a safe and functional state – or let you know if a firebox rebuild is necessary.
If you notice cracks or other damage in your firebox, call us or reach out online now – we can tell you how serious the damage is, and what steps you should take.
Restoring Masonry Fireboxes: The Ins & Outs
Masonry fireboxes are built on-site on a concrete footing that can stand up to the full weight of your brick and mortar chimney system. For the firebox itself, chimney technicians use firebrick and refractory mortar, both of which are specially designed to hold up against all the heat.
One great advantage to rebuilding a masonry firebox is that you’ll have a lot of options for reinventing your fireplace’s look. Firebrick is available in many different colors, and Coopertown Services’ technicians can build the firebox with a variety of different brick patterns – from more traditional running bond to arresting basket weave or dynamic herringbone patterns.
Give us an idea of the kind of fireboxes that catch your eye, and we can create one that you’ll truly love. Reach out now to get the process started – we’d love to hear what you have in mind.
Ask About Our High-Efficiency Rumford Fireplaces
Rumford fireplaces, which have become more and more popular in recent decades, date back to the late 1700s, when a Bavarian Count – Count Rumford – developed a design that he felt improved upon the poor function and wasted heat of the design that was in current favor.
The Count set out to improve draft, cut down on smoke, and make better use of fuel and the heat produced (and Rumford units achieved that aim exceptionally well).
Rumford’s fireplaces became incredibly popular around the world well into the middle part of the 1800s, but afterwards, fell out of favor for hundreds of years. During the more recent rise in renovating historic homes, though, the brilliance of the Rumford design has earned a new appreciation – and a new popularity. In fact, this centuries-old design can hardly be improved upon.
How does a Rumford fireplace reflect more heat and achieve superior draft?
In a conventional fireplace design, the deeper firebox with minimally angled walls allows room air and combustion gases to swish and swirl, disrupting draft. It also lets much of the heat produced in a fire flow up the chimney with smoke and other byproducts.
In a Rumford fireplace, a shallower firebox design with widely angled sides and a rounded, smoothed throat, allows for more heat to be directed into the room and for a far better draft to be achieved. If you’re using your fireplace to heat an entire room or are concerned with wasting fuel, you’d be wise to consider a Rumford fireplace.
The technicians at Coopertown Services have installed countless Rumford units in Shelby County, and we’d love to build one in your home. Interested in learning more? Call or reach out online today.
How Do I Know if My Firebox Needs To Be Rebuilt or Repaired?
Determining whether your firebox needs a rebuild – or even just some repair work – involves inspecting it for various signs of wear and damage, as well as noting any safety concerns. Here are the key indicators that a firebox may need rebuilding that you can keep an eye out for:
- There are cracks or spalling in the fire brick or masonry.
- The mortar between the bricks is missing or crumbling.
- The bricks themselves can be easily moved or shifted.
- Smoke is entering the room, instead of venting up the chimney.
- The fireplace is experiencing inadequate draft.
- The firebox walls are bulging inward or sagging.
- Bricks are shifting, missing, or misaligned.
- There is discoloration throughout the firebox’s brickwork.
- There are water stains or dampness in and around the firebox.
- Rust is showing up on metal components.
Regular inspections by a professional chimney sweep can identify issues not visible to the untrained eye, so don’t wait to get on our schedule books soon.
And if you notice any of these signs, consult with one of our professional chimney techs, so we can assess the extent of the damage and recommend the next best steps. Call now or book online to get started.
What Materials Are Used in a Firebox Rebuild?
When rebuilding a firebox, selecting the right materials is crucial to ensure safety, durability, and optimal performance. Here are the primary materials used in a firebox rebuild:
- Firebrick: Firebricks are specially designed bricks that can withstand high temperatures without cracking or breaking. They are the primary material used in the construction of a firebox, can withstand extreme temperatures (up to 1,800 degrees F or higher), and are resistant to thermal stress and cracking. They also help to retain and radiate heat within the firebox.
- Refractory Mortar: Refractory mortar is a type of mortar that can withstand high heat, and it is used to bond firebricks together. This mortar is capable of withstanding temperatures similar to firebrick, and it provides strong bonding to keep the bricks in place through anything.
- Refractory Panels: These are prefabricated panels made from refractory materials and can be used as an alternative to individual firebricks for some firebox repairs or installations. These are easier and quicker to install compared to laying individual firebricks, and they are also designed to withstand high temperatures. They are also typically available in various designs to match the interior of your specific fireplace.
- Insulating Materials: Sometimes, insulating materials are used behind the firebricks or panels to enhance heat retention and protect surrounding structures. These can help maintain heat within the firebox, as well as shield the outer structure from excessive heat.
Consulting with a professional ensures that the correct materials and techniques are used for a long-lasting and safe firebox rebuild or repair.
Trust Us for Firebox Repairs in Memphis & Beyond
As you can imagine, an intact firebox is incredibly important to the safety of your home. Cracks and gaps in a firebox can allow heat to transfer to other areas of your home, increasing the chance of a fire. If a rebuild is the safest step to take, Coopertown Services can build a beautiful, lasting firebox that you can be proud of and confident in.
If your firebox is damaged, Coopertown Services can rebuild it to last. Call us at 901-358-7777 or schedule an appointment online now.
We have options for chimney system renovations, so look no further than Coopertown Services for these skilled chimney repairs.