The ash pit may have a cleanout door , located in the basement or outside at the base of the chimney, that enables you to get into the ash pit so you can clean out the ash. Ash Dump. This is an opening in the firebox that enables the ash to fall into the ash pit. The ash dump may or may not have an ash dump door that you can open to dump the ash. Also called an inner hearth, this is the area in which you build and light the fire.
Firebrick can crack or weakened after years of use, so you should have your firebox inspected about every five years. Fireplace Doors. Some fireplaces have doors made of glass or metal that prevent air from transferring between the flue and room.
Fireplace Face. The fireplace face or surround is the part of the fireplace surrounding the firebox that you see in the room. This is the decorative shelf above the fireplace. Originally, it helped to catch smoke and keep it from entering the room.
The lintel is the architectural feature that supports the bricks, stones or other materials on the front of the fireplace above the opening. Chimney Damper.
Refinishing a fireplace mantel is much like refinishing a piece of wood furniture. You strip the paint and repaint it. However, there are a few finer points experts agree on. If you want to preserve the historical feel of the room by matching its original color, in a small, inconspicuous area, apply paint stripper to the painted wall and wipe it off before the full time suggested. This should remove one to two layers of paint at a time.
Wear protective gear and never refinish woodwork with children or young adults nearby. Never sand the old paint.
Sanding produces dust that drifts and falls into all the crevices of your home. When inhaled or ingested, the dust causes lead poisoning. Only use chemical strippers and dispose of the waste properly. Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and protective eyewear.
When clean, paint or stain mantel as desired. Luxury homes of old often included elaborate architectural elements that are hard to replace. If tiles or any other ornate components that surround your fireplace need repairing, you have a treasure hunt on your hands.
Start the hunt by taking measurements and photographing the tile. Upload the photo into your web browser and perform a Google image search to see if a match turns up for sale.
Otherwise, haunt salvage retailers and antique stores, or commission someone to make a replica. When resetting a tile, try to visually match what the builder originally used. Most tiles are attached using thinset mortar. Hopefully, a thorough knowledge of fireplaces will help you to stay safe and enjoy the beauty this iconic design element brings to your home.
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Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. Laura Moss Nothing beats relaxing on a chilly evening with a cup of something warm and a fire in the hearth. Key Elements of a Fireplace Here are the main parts of your fireplace that you should know: Ash pit —a cellar under the fireplace grate where ashes collect. In the closed position, it prevents cold outside air from coming into the home. Similar to the split herringbone pattern we mentioned above, this pattern continues the same firebrick thickness used on the firebox floor.
This gives overall continuity to the firebox from any angle you use to view the fireplace. Stacked bond or stack bond - both variations are recognized is making a comeback in brick patterns. Continuous lines both horizontally and vertically are key features in this firebrick that's growing in popularity. Here, you can see the stacked bond firebrick pattern used during the installation phase of three fireplaces.
Our 5th option of compliant firebrick patterns is basket weave.
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