Firebox Repair & Rebuild

The fireplace has seen more than its fair share of wear and tear in many older and historic homes, offices, and government buildings in many of the neighborhoods we serve, including Woodley Park, DC, Montgomery County, MD, and Northern Virginia. Its age, corrosive residues, creosote, and moisture have taken their toll, resulting in cracked, chipped, and crumbling firebrick and mortar. In addition to an unattractive appearance, a firebox in this condition is no longer safe and requires a custom rebuild.

At Bethesda Chimney, our certified chimney professionals and masonry experts remove old, unsafe, deteriorated fireboxes and rebuild new fireboxes. Our quality materials and outstanding craftsmanship will create a beautiful, efficient, and safe fireplace that will be the centerpiece of your home again!

Common Causes of Firebox Damage

The firebox is where the action is. Temperatures in a gas or wood-burning fireplace can reach over 1,100°F. Although the firebox is typically built with firebrick and refractory mortar to withstand the extreme heat, many issues can cause damage to the firebox.

Normal wear and tear

The firebox is no different than any other part of the house, and it will eventually need repair or replacement due to age from normal wear and tear. Also, here in the Washington DC Metro Area, many folks use their fireplace quite frequently during our long winters, so it’s not uncommon for the firebox to need rebuilding or replacement after several decades of frequent use.

House settling

Settling is a normal part of the aging process that all homes will eventually experience. It is due to the natural shift in soil that results in the foundation sinking into the ground. It can cause cracks in walkways, patios, masonry chimneys, and fireplaces. When the damage is severe, and the fireplace is no longer safe to use, rebuilding the firebox will restore your fireplace.

Poor fireplace construction

The firebox should be constructed using firebrick and refractory mortar. However, we have seen fireboxes built using standard brick and mortar, which is not only a possible fire risk but also does not meet today's construction codes or safety standards. Our chimney professionals are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fireplace Institute (NFI). It is your assurance that our crew will rebuild your firebox per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) industry standards and local building and fire safety regulations.

Fireplace Inserts

An insert contains the combustion system encased in a fireproof metal or iron box. Fireplace inserts are designed to be inserted directly into the opening of an existing firebox, eliminating the need for traditional firebox repairs. It also includes a flue pipe that vents through the existing chimney. They are available in many different sizes and styles for an energy-efficient and authentic fire-burning experience with your choice of gas or wood fuel heating options.

Firebox Rebuilding & Replacement

When the firebrick is undamaged, but the mortar is cracking or crumbling, we can usually replace the deteriorating mortar by tuckpointing the joints and filling them with new refractory mortar to restore the fireplace. However, if the firebox is damaged beyond repair, our expert masons must tear out the old firebox and rebuild it with new firebrick and refractory mortar. What about factory built fireboxes? Factory-built fireplaces and inserts are growing in popularity as an affordable alternative to a traditional masonry fireplace. Depending on the manufacturer, type, and extent of the damage to a factory-built firebox, we may be able to replace the affected panels.

Firebox Rebuilding & Replacement in the DC area – McLean – Foggy Bottom, DC

Is your firebox rusting, cracking, and crumbling beyond repair? Bethesda Chimney provides expert firebox rebuilds that breathe new life into an older traditional or prefabricated fireplace. We serve residential, commercial, and government customers in Rockville, MD, Silver Spring, MD, Centreville, VA, Reston, VA, McLean, VA, Arlington, VA, and neighborhoods in Northern VA, Montgomery County, MD, and Washington, DC. Call 301-969-4444 or 703-935-4444 to schedule an appointment for a firebox inspection and rebuild estimate today!