Prefabricated fireplaces are durable appliances, but we do see two common repair needs over years of use: Firebox panel replacements and spark screen replacements.

Refractory wall panels can crack and abrade, which leaves them unable to provide the protection they’re designed for. And spark screens, after being regularly bombarded with heat and embers, can corrode, get stuck on their track or just start to look shabby. The good news is that our techs can quickly and efficiently replace these parts and bring your fireplace back to functioning the way it should and looking the way you want it to.

Prefab Fireplace Wall Replacement

While masonry fireplace fireboxes are built piece by piece out of firebrick and refractory mortar, prefabricated fireboxes are made with refractory panels or walls — three for the sides, and one for the base. These are built with materials that are designed to stand strong against the effects of the high heat produced in a firebox, but refractory walls won’t last forever. The heat and the acidic byproducts produced by combustion (not to mention moisture damage, if a leak occurs) can cause refractory panels to abrade, or for cracks to develop and widen along the surfaces.
If that abrasion causes the panels to recede a quarter inch or more, it’s time to have the refractory panels replaced. And if cracks reach the thickness of a nickel, it’s replacement time, too.

Why Do I Need To Have These Panels Replaced?

Your fireplace and chimney provide a couple of services, and the safety of those services relies on proper protection. The removal of gases and smoke from the living space protects people in the home and the chimney system itself from the negative effects of those byproducts. The firebox, a strong flue liner and the chimney walls protect the interior of your home from the effects of immense heat as well. But, when any part of your chimney system is damaged, the function of the whole system is affected. Cracks and gaps in a flue liner or firebox not only impede your chimney’s draft, but they can lead to a fire hazard, allowing heat and embers the opportunity to get through to the combustible building materials in your home.
At American Chimney, our aim is to help our clients enjoy the beauty and warmth that their heating appliances provide. But more than that, we want you to enjoy that appliance as safely as possible. A damaged prefabricated firebox significantly increases your fire risk — so if you notice widening cracks or abrasion in the refractory walls, give us a call.

Screen Replacement

Spark screens are great additions to a fireplace — they can protect children, pets and floors from errant sparks, and add an attractive look to the appliance, too. Is your spark screen still serving its intended purpose? If your screen is stuck or corroded — or just plain unsightly — the expert technicians at American Chimney can help. Give us a call at 215-364-0881, or click here to schedule an appointment!

There are a lot of factors to consider when planning to make your dream of an outdoor fireplace into a reality. Ask us more about our fireplace installation services today.