Any fireplace is going to crack but all cracks need to be monitored. This is where our annual or bi-annual maintenance schedule is handy. We note the crack and can watch it to see if it is growing. if it is we might want to patch it to keep you safe. usually cracks in the back of the fireplace on a masonry fireplace means you have trouble with your crown letting water in. We can patch or redo the crown and provide you with a 15 year warranty against other problems.

If we need to we can patch the inside of the fireplace with our special Refractory Cement. Ordinary cement will not do as it does not stand up to the heat. Regular caulking(yes we have seen this done) will not work for the smae reason. We use a high solids refractory cement, properly apply it and cure it if it needs to be. If not properly prepared the stuff will fall right back out and be of no use.

When we encounter a problem in a smaller prefab fireplace we recommend replacing the entire back or side panels. they are only about 3/4 to an inch thick and patching does no good. When they need replacing what we recommend  is pouring a custom fit heavy duty panel. Others sell light duty replacement panels but in a few years you have the same problem. If the panel failed in the first place doesn't it make more sense to go with a stouter replacement?  We have customers who have used our heavy duty panels going on 5 years and no sign of aging yet.

For protection and extra heat our Heat Shields doa great job. They project up to 40% more heat back into the room.Some users tell us their central heaters do not come on when they have a good fire in the fireplace with their heat reflecting shields in place.