Fireplace Masonry Repair in the Pittsburgh Area

What fireplace masonry repair involves

Fireplace masonry repair restores the brick, stone and mortar of the fireplace itself — the firebox, the surround and the hearth. It covers both the heat-exposed masonry inside and the decorative masonry you see in the room.

Why homeowners need it

The masonry around a fireplace faces both intense heat and everyday wear, and over time firebrick cracks, joints fail and the surround or hearth deteriorates. Restoring it keeps the fireplace safe to use and looking the way it should — the two reasons the masonry matters.

Common problems it addresses

• Cracked firebox brick and joints
• Deteriorated hearth masonry
• Damaged or loose surround brick and stone
• Failed mortar around the firebox opening

Warning signs to watch for

• Cracks in the firebox or surround
• Loose or missing brick and stone
• Crumbling mortar around the opening
• A hearth that's chipped or deteriorating

How we approach the work

Materials and equipment

• Firebrick and refractory mortar for heat areas
• Matching brick or stone for the surround
• Color-matched mortar

What this means for Pittsburgh-area homes

Many homes across the Pittsburgh area have handsome older masonry fireplaces that are worth restoring rather than replacing. Matching brick, stone and mortar to the original is what keeps that character intact while making the fireplace safe to use again.