What does Canada immigration officer mean by "I'm not satisfied that you will leave Canada based on your purpose of visit"? will filling the area with plaster help? In addition, if there are air leaks, then it will be difficult to keep the fire going. Shut off the gas at the meter, 2. This seems like something I should be able to take care of. If so, what am I looking at for cost to fabricate some iron or steel? Remove the fire grate from the fireplace and use a fireplace brush and dustpan to sweep out the firebox. In addition to being a potential fire hazard, a damaged expansion joint can also allow water and insects into your home. First, make sure that your fireplace is clean before you start using it. You could build bookcases and/or cabinets for a TV, etc. I am about an 1/2" short on my depth for a Hampton HI300 insert. Once the surface is clean and dry, you can then begin to fill the gaps with a suitable filler material. Plug in the power cord from the fireplace insert. How do I fill in gaps around gas fireplace so lizards don't get in? It would depend on how big the gap is. What kind of tool do I need to change my bottom bracket? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. A build-up of soot and ash can be dangerous, so it's important to sweep it out regularly. Filling gap between Insert Surround and Fireplace Face. I've got a spot by a fireplace that lets cold air in. If for some reason you are concerned about high heat in this area, there is a fire rated caulk made especially for gaps in fire or common walls. Maybe masonry?? On a raised terrace of the back lawn, a pair of globe-shaped boxwoods is set off by a trio of Westport chairs, which Hadley chose (and painted sage) after seeing similar ones at Wave Hill, a historical public garden in the Bronx. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Freshen up your fireplace with a crisp, colorful or dramatic new look, Learn how to preserve, paint, clean and style a brick wall to fit your design scheme. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Measure the length of the gap, and cut a piece of foam. Hope this helps. What screws can be used with Aluminum windows? Thanks again, hopefully I'll be nice and patient as I do this. The air you feel may not, however, be coming through the wall.Check to see if your chimney is properly sealed where it penetrates ceilings; you may be feeling air from below rushing upward along the chimney space rather than through the wall. After seeing the picture though this is not what you want to use. I hold on my first suggestions, I do wonder however if the black metal pieces I am seeing in the picture are part of a removable fireplace screen set or perhaps an insert? I've used fire rated silicone around my flue in the past and it has worked a treat to seal between the flue and the roof. Bold and adorned or streamlined and minimalist which of these fireplaces would you want warming up your home? Is this intended for indoor use or exterior use? Insert the caulk into the caulking gun and cut the tip of the caulk tube as directed by the manufacturer. Be sure to follow all of the steps closely, and if you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask professionals. I will be having built ins around the fireplace and I am trying to decide if they should be stained or painted. Nice looking insert stejus. Its a rather sizable gap (maybe 3/4 of an inch). Unsightly gaps between your fireplace and the surrounding wall can be both an aesthetic and a functional problem. It can be easiest to caulk all vertical joints first, followed by thehorizontal joints. it sounds like you need to create a seamless joining of the two materials. 2. What are possible reasons a sound may be continually clicking (low amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude). Fire-rated silicone sealant available at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. A wall of 'Green Giant' arborvitae backs a shade-tolerant border of ferns flanked by oakleaf hydrangeas. I am going to try inserting pictures below for reference. It would need to be Fireproof . You can mask off the Rock and use insulation foam, fill the void and let it dry, this stuff is messy, then cut it back to flat and smooth it off with sparkle, prime and paint. On vertical joints, working from the bottom up can help you visually confirm the degree of joint penetration by the caulk. Between the Mantel and the wall is not Hot. Good luck. I wanted to use some kind of spray insulation such as "Great Stuff", but the label indicates that its flamable (not to mention highly toxic and needs to be covered). The felt will create a barrier that will help prevent heat from escaping, while the paper towel will help to fill any voids. How do I fill a gap between my hearth and the hardwood frame around it? How do philosophers understand intelligence? Spellcaster Dragons Casting with legendary actions? How can I drop 15 V down to 3.7 V to drive a motor? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. It also provides a good base for the caulk. Were it me I would use backer rod, caulk and then a piece of parting rod (1/2" x 3/4" rectangular wood, not quarter round) painted the wall color. Make sure to seal up any gaps so that smoke cannot escape and so that you can keep your fire burning brightly all night long! It fits like a glove. Then I'd cut back the baseboard and slip the plinth block in between the fireplace and the cut baseboard. By regularly checking and filling the gap between your wall and fireplace, you can help to avoid these costly repairs. Measure the depth of the gap. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. The hearth seems to have some kind of concrete or bonding material holding the slate pieces together. Good! It you eliminate the shadow your eye will not be drawn to it. Hi All, I recently remodeled my living room. What Curtains Go With Blue Walls? Fortunately, we did research on the right filling process. Next, use a putty knife to apply caulk to the gap. Make final gas connection between flexible gas-supply line and fireplace insert. You could either try to match the rest of the flooringwhich isn't that hard. You did it right it sounds like. This will remove any accumulated soot and ash, and help to prevent any potential fires. Most times a painter will caulk/spackle all molding to drywall before painting the molding and drywall. The are aluminum, they come in different anodized colors, and in different thickness, different profiles, and different shapes. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Thank you! Besides that, fixing the cracks and gaps on your wall and fireplace and help to improve energy efficiency. Another challenge that comes with filling in the gaps between a wall and fireplace is making sure that the materials used are heat and fire resistant. Thanks though. rev2023.4.17.43393. Other cons: great stuff is sticky, impossible to clean. One of the challenges that comes with filling in the gaps between a wall and fireplace is making sure that the wall is level. If we are using plaster, is that DIY project? The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces, Husky 445-18", Husky 36-16", 5 Ton Task Force Splitter, http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/36245/. Does anyone have suggestions for updating it. One important but often overlooked aspect of home maintenance is filling the gap between your wall and fireplace. I make aggressive copes like that using an angle grinder with 36 grit sandpaper--two disks -back to back'. Here are some tips on how to keep your fireplace and wall in good condition: First, make sure that your fireplace is clean before you start using it. Install A Thick Backsplash. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. Or us a dark wood, maybe dark stained wood for some contrast. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. There is a product called smoke tite that is used from chimney companeys, its a compressed air spay system that sprays high heat cement in all the proper gaps and areas needed to be sealed, my company is baltimore based and we use this treatment all the time for sealing throaghts in the chimney, hope this can help ur issues. The metal-and-caulk method you describe is one that I typically use in attics, but an alternative approach is to frame tightly around the chimney with steel studs, then use solid steel channel at the top as a fire block. You could use one of a number of edge trims with a tear-away bead for the drywall that would make a perfect edge along the brick. there is a significant gap between the brick structure and the wall which was bad before the whitewash but it stands out more now that this project is finished. Backer rod is made for this type of application and comes in various sizes. Unfortunately its right where the metal of the fireplace meets the wooden framing/molding of the fireplace on the inside. What should I do to cover this gap and prevent air flow in a way that's safe and effective? You're Temporarily Blocked. Take a look. Look for high temp stove and gasket cement. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You could also fill it with strips of Hardieboard (or cement board) and caulk the edges with a high temperature caulk. Using the loaded caulk gun, lay down a bead of caulk to seal any and all gaps that you find. You can fill that gap with drywall mud, vinyl spackle, or Tub/Tile Caulk and repaint over it. I am currently refacing my fireplace and had the same issue. Which will make it look seamless? Or a quarter round? By following these simple tips, you can help to ensure that your fireplace is safe and efficient all winter long. Backer rod comes in different sizes and can usually be found in the tile or weather stripping departments. Clean out the mortar joints by sucking out the debris with the shop vacuum or blowing it out with a can of compressed air. Maybe check the minimum fireplace opening given in your manual as the minimum space the insert needs to have. Insulation question, How to permenantly close and seal wood fireplace. Whatever trim I use will need to either be on the thicker side or doubled up with a piece of wood behind it. A plug can crack if tightened to tight. stejus Sep 18, 2008 Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment. Foam is tack-free in about 5-10 minutes and cures in eight hours. Let the caulk dry as directed by the manufacturer. The first step is to clean any debris or dust from the area where you will be applying the foam. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Treat it to a fresh face with paint in any color you choose, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Key Biscayne Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers, South Plainfield Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers, Surround Your Fireplace With Tile, Brick or Stone, New This Week: 7 Living Rooms That Rethink the Fireplace Wall, Quick Fix: Find Wall Studs Without an Expensive Stud Finder, Single-Wall Galley Kitchens Catch the 'I'. Please post some photos -- we like photos! I'd be uncomfortable closing the gap with foam. Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow? Clean the Surface Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may be present. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! As ventupete wrote, the gaps are there because of building/fire code, not to mention your own safety when using the fireplace. The caulking backer is a round foam solid tube that can be cut to length, inserted into the gap to seal it and hold the caulk. Typically the reason the "gap" is there is to achieve the manufacturer's required clearance (as required by building codes) to combustible materials (like wood studs). This is what you fill that gap with. Over time, the expansion joint can become damaged or broken, which can lead to serious problems. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines below. Is it safe to fill in or insulate the space in my walls around my fireplace flum? If you aren't real good at it, you can get close and point the stone. My biggest concern is the depth. Do not use a plug in a fitting. can you fit small stones? 4. Regardless, if air is filtering through into the living space, there must be a gap outdoors ( external chimney) as well as indoors. Once a week should be sufficient, but you may need to do it more often if you're using your fireplace frequently. Spray foam insulation in a can with least amount of expansion, spray very little to fil the gap a bit and then caulk over it. Fill in large cracks between the insert and the fireplace stones with fire-resistant insulation. In this video I'm using. When gaps get too large you should use a polyurethane sealant. I need help filling the space between the fireplace and window. I started with the fireplace but there was a large gap going around. A professional will know exactly how to fix the problem and will likely do a better job than someone who is not experienced in this type of repair. Mortar works if you have some kind of backing. I liked the look of the mantel being directly connected to the drywall without any trim at the top or sides and so used dap wall Spackle for the top of the fireplace mantel so that I could sand it down and on the sides used dap window treatment caulk. See more, I have this old red brick fire place and I am Not sure what to do with it. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Slide the insert into place, then turn on the gas. Read the comment from DOW on this Home Depot page: How can I seal the large gap around my fireplace in a way that is safe and prevents air inflows? If the wall is not level, then the fireplace will not be level. Next, inspect your chimney regularly for any signs of damage. They would completely cover the sides of the fireplace brick, making that gap disappear. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. As I mentioned the first thing we did to fill the gap was rip down a floor board to wedge underneath the baseboard trim. Otherwise, you could end up causing more damage than good. I recommend you check out the caulking along the chimney to the exterior siding as well as addressing the interior gap. Your email address will not be published. If you've ever considered renovating your home, you may have come across a few gaps between your wall and fireplace. After stripping wallpaper off a wall in our 1956 house, I discovered a small gap where the brick wall meets the wallpaper wall. When you fill over the foam backer with the caulk, use a small putty knife to draw the caulk smooth and flat. Finally, don't forget to give your fireplace a good clean once a year using a top-notch cleaning agent. It's absolutely okay to isolate the gap from the interior of your house by sealing it off with non-combustible materials. Do I need to use mortar to do this, or would the canned foam insulation that you can get from places like Lowes or Home Depot be good for fixing this problem? Once you've chosen the right filler material, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results. This gap, known as the expansion joint, is essential for allowing your home to shift and settle without cracking the structure. There isn't much but we thought it might come in handy as we renovate and it already has! There are a variety of materials you can use to fill in the gaps between your wall and fireplace. In addition to her journalism experience, she has been educating on health and wellness topics for over 15 years in and outside of the classroom. JavaScript is disabled. Finally, don't forget to give your fireplace a good clean once a year using a. Helping You to Do It Yourself! Paint the back of the fireplace one bright colour and the radiator another: "You want to draw attention to it and make it a focal point in the room." Every Room Should Sing by Beata Heuman is . (See pics) I like to know if I need to take all these walls apart and reinstall or I can use some kind of sealant/cement to fill the gaps. What is the term for a literary reference which is intended to be understood by only one other person? As the colder months approach, many of us will be reaching for the wood and kindling to light a cozy fire in our fireplaces. Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow? Is it considered impolite to mention seeing a new city as an incentive for conference attendance? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. I need advice for updating a very large brick fireplace wall. Caulk would be a good fix, paint it to match the wall. I dont know if that was right or not or if its a hazard as the fireplace actually works and we occasionally use it, but I wanted to know how to make sure I did it correctly or if I would have to start over. If you're filling gaps in a wooden trim or paneling, however, you'll need to use a wood-based filler. I actually just finished doing this same thing to my fireplace that I remodeled, here's the product I used for the smaller cracks that I wasn't able to do with my bulk batch of concrete: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100357212/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053. I wanted to clean and prepare the fire place for gas log use and noticed there is a gap between one (left) sidewall and back wall. Refractory caulk, also known as fireplace mortar, is suitable for minor repairs only. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. But, it's important to remember that a fireplace is not just a decoration - it's a working appliance that needs to be properly maintained. Fireblock Insulating Foam Sealant, http://www.lowes.com/pd_219973-68-18806_4294858104_?productId=3025055, http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100678630&langId=-1&catalogId=10053, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. Another option would be the Aluminum Gray color to somewhat match the grout. Smart TV Vs. Fire TV: Whats The Difference? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. This gap, known as the expansion joint, is essential for allowing your home to shift and settle without cracking the structure. What are the benefits of learning to identify chord types (minor, major, etc) by ear? How High Should A Bed Headboard Be? Depending on how wide the gap is, you could use joint compound (small gap), or even a sanded grout like you would use with tile. Should the alternative hypothesis always be the research hypothesis? How should I air-seal this gap by the floor along an exterior wall? Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. How can I detect when a signal becomes noisy? Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! Before filling the gaps in your wall or fireplace, it's important to take some time to properly prepare the surface. Is there a danger that this foam will ignite from the heat generated by a fire in the fireplace? Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Simply apply the strips to the gap and let them dry. How to Apply Flexible Filler to Gaps Around a Fireplace - Tutorial Paint Like A Pro 5.16K subscribers Subscribe 92 Share 27K views 5 years ago Brush up with Barry Decorating around a. amazon.com/Meeco-High-Temperature-Silicone-Sealant/dp/, GREAT STUFF 16 Oz. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Slowly force the caulk into thegaps, filling them as deeply as possible. Remove the fire grate from the fireplace and use a fireplace brush and dustpan to sweep out the firebox. Pic is not showing up for me, but, here's an idea. See more, Our family room has a very large brick fireplace wall. Is it safe to fill in or insulate the space in my walls around my fireplace flum? 2. Close up drafty gap between wood beam and concrete wall? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. . Decorating around a fireplace can be a nightmare for some people. JavaScript is disabled. 7 Ways To Fix The Gap Between Wall And Stove. It also helps to protect the top of the wood with masking tape. Hope this helps. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. You can wear latex or nitrile gloves to keep your hands clean if you wish. I need to know if this is a scary prob [Answers Per Bed Type]. It's hard to suggest a good non-combustible filler without seeing a picture. After seeing the photo of the gap in question a high heat silicon sealant would give a better matching finish: http://www.amazon.com/Meeco-High-Temperature-Silicone-Sealant/dp/B002CTRWRQ/ref=pd_sim_dbs_indust_2, I would use: GREAT STUFF 16 Oz. The first step is to clean the area around the gap, using a vacuum or a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris. The caulk might need a second application because that's a large crack and you could get noticeable shrinkage on the first application, even with the backer rod in place. If it's deep, you could fill it first. With a little careful preparation, you can easily fill the gaps in your wall or fireplace and create a perfectly seamless finish. The gap between a slide-in stove and the back wall is easy to mask with a thick, heat-resistant and fire-retardant backsplash. What type of caulk or sealant should I use to fill a space on my fireplace hearth between the slate & the wood frame that surrounds it. Press J to jump to the feed. Let's get started! Even though you probably have double-wall pipe through the wall (which is what allows for the wood surrounding it) you still want something between the wood and the pipe that can act as an insulator against much higher temps in case of a chimney fire. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Install glass doors to the fireplace insert. To bridge from the chimney to a drywall surface, you can patch in with cement board (such as tile backer) for the last 6 inches or so and caulk the cement board to the chimney with fireproof sealant. This would cause a 1/2" gap between the surround and the brick face. I'm leaning more to The idea of using Hardieboard and high temp caulk is an interesting one. One could just use a shelf that screws into the wall somehow or other, but especially if you live in a rental place like I did for years (apartment living) you either don't want to or cannot do that per landlord rules. Lowes: http://www.lowes.com/pd_219973-68-18806_4294858104_?productId=3025055, Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100678630&langId=-1&catalogId=10053. he said they do it all the time. Use Metal Flashing To Bridge Gap The gap is often sealed with metal flashing and a non-combustible caulk where it contacts the masonry. Are Ruggables Good for High-Traffic Areas? Is this a working Fireplace? If it were me, I'd probably go that direction. Another challenge that comes with filling in the gaps between a wall and fireplace is making sure that the materials used are. 14 years ago Thanks for the information! If it's large, you might need something more. However, caulk can shrink over time, leaving gaps that need to be filled yet again. Expect one-time use. What's the best material to use to fill in a 1/2" gap between drywall and stairs? See more, I will be having built ins around the fireplace and I am trying to decide if they should be stained or painted. I recently started fixing up my house, after living in it two years as the contractors and handymen that originally I had hired to do work around the house, did almost everything wrong and now has to be redone. When choosing a filler, it's important to select one that is compatible with the type of surface you're working with. Getting a look behind them would be priceless. Thick granite slabs are a common option, as the tile thickness plus the adhesive can often cover the 1-inch gap. In what context did Garak (ST:DS9) speak of a lie between two truths? 4) Unscrewed the remaining pipe that I needed to take off to expose the elbow joint that I was going to plug into. I have heard white wash and stone veneer. Required fields are marked *. Last edited by dhaniyal; 08-25-2008 at 06:41 AM . Make sure to use heat-resistant materials, such as bricks or stone, when filling in the gaps between a wall and a fireplace. My home energy auditor has said that its likely that the area surrounding the fireplace is not insulated. A pic would be a big help here. See how to find hidden wall studs with this ridiculously easy trick, I-shape kitchen layouts take a streamlined, flexible approach and can be easy on the wallet too, 8 Ways to Give Wood Walls a More Contemporary Look, Is it time to kick the hard stuff? Its light gray color might appear in stark contrast with the black soot covering the firebrick, but this will blend in as the fireplace is used and the caulk darkens. 3. See more. Regardless of the material you choose, taking the time to fill in the gaps between your wall and fireplace will help create a more finished look. One important but often overlooked aspect of home maintenance is filling the gap between your wall and fireplace. See more, We would greatly appreciate your assistance in selecting a new color for the fireplace wall.The color of our living room walls and fireplace wall is Sherwin Williams It gets hard as concrete and will adhere to the existing stone. Next, scrape out loose mortar from between the fire bricks using a linoleum knife or putty knife. Either method will result in a neat, easy to paint fill that should stop your air infiltration problem and make the finish look nice. For best results, use a construction-grade caulk, which will be both more durable and more effective at sealing out drafts. Can will seal itself shut if allowed to sit unused for over two hours and may not be restarted. If using a darker color to blend with your brick, then first tape the wall side with blue tape to get a clean line there (you will want to tape the brick side too, for that matter.) 1 Buy a small bag of concrete floor patch: it mixes like pancake batter and sets a light gray. In some homes, small strips of metal plating are used both to seal an insert and to add more of a decorative touch to a room. Before you apply the finish caulk, run a nice straight line of painter's tape up the front of the slate even with the edge of the wood trim. the only thing left was the brick fireplace which we whitewashed to refresh the dated look. How do I fill a small gap between brick wall of fireplace &wall? Fireblock has the same flammability as the regular stuff. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Since this gap inside is directly adjacent to wood trim, I also have to assume that excessive heat is not a factor. Both cans say that it will combust at the same temperature, I think its 240F. I have heard white wash and stone veneer. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Vacuum the firebox floor and walls with a shop vacuum to remove all residual ash and debris. Hence, it may take a long time until that heat makes it into the room. Before you do anything: Check the building codes in your town and ask your insurance company! By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. I wouldn't want to take it out unless absolutely necessary. I didn't think I could caulk such a large gap. Also would a chimney balloon or chimney pillow possibly solve this problem? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Next, insert the nozzle of the foam into the gap and apply evenly. How could one insulate sill plate from the outside? I was thinking of filling the gap in with plaster. While a fireplace is a source of beauty and warmth in cold weather, the heat generated from a fire will take its toll on the fireplace over time.