how to fill gap between fireplace and wall
Is it safe to fill in or insulate the space in my walls around my fireplace flum? Some people try to fix this problem themselves, while others hire a professional. You can fill that gap with drywall mud, vinyl spackle, or Tub/Tile Caulk and repaint over it. Open to painters and decorators to share innovation and showcase their work, DIYers who have a passion for home improvements, and a place to support newcomers/apprentices to this wonderful trade.https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=proud%20of%20what%20you%27ve%20painted Hiring a professional can be more expensive, but it will save you time and hassle in the long run. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. There's a gap between black slate(?) Alternately, you could also use a setting type drywall mud, such as durabond 30 or 45 to fill the deeper gaps etc. If you're filling gaps in a wooden trim or paneling, however, you'll need to use a wood-based filler. It's absolutely okay to isolate the gap from the interior of your house by sealing it off with non-combustible materials. Slide the insert into place, then turn on the gas. Last edited by dhaniyal; 08-25-2008 at 06:41 AM . Finally, don't forget to give your fireplace a good clean once a year using a top-notch cleaning agent. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. I have this old red brick fire place and I am Not sure what to do with it. I had the same issue with my Lopi declaration. Thanks All. Is the metal you are referring to an insert trim of some type? One important but often overlooked aspect of home maintenance is filling the gap between your wall and fireplace. Perhaps after injecting larger amounts of fire rated caulk as deep into void as possible, then use the solid, tube style caulking backer to fill the majority of the larger, deeper gaps, followed by using some paint-able silicon/acrylic mix caulk. 3. The felt will create a barrier that will help prevent heat from escaping, while the paper towel will help to fill any voids. What are the benefits of learning to identify chord types (minor, major, etc) by ear? In addition, if there are air leaks, then it will be difficult to keep the fire going. 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? Now I'm thinking to put the mo In addition to being a potential fire hazard, a damaged expansion joint can also allow water and insects into your home. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? I have heard white wash and stone veneer. I would be very reluctant to seal these gaps with anything. Since this gap inside is directly adjacent to wood trim, I also have to assume that excessive heat is not a factor. JavaScript is disabled. Mortar works if you have some kind of backing. Once the surface is clean and dry, you can then begin to fill the gaps with a suitable filler material. 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 You could build bookcases and/or cabinets for a TV, etc. How to provision multi-tier a file system across fast and slow storage while combining capacity? Unfortunately I can't seal the outside without great expense. Which will make it look seamless? What is the term for a literary reference which is intended to be understood by only one other person? Clean the Surface Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may be present. Stay away from . (Outside of 'Artificial Intelligence'), How to turn off zsh save/restore session in Terminal.app. It's hard to suggest a good non-combustible filler without seeing a picture. If you notice any problems, have them fixed as soon as possible by a professional. Let's get started! Hi All, I recently remodeled my living room. When he came and used his IR camera, the spot on the floor next to this gap was in the 30's in temperature. Another option would be the Aluminum Gray color to somewhat match the grout. If you decide to fix the problem yourself, it is important to do your research. Many homeowners have a gap between their walls and the fireplace. Two faces sharing same four vertices issues, How to turn off zsh save/restore session in Terminal.app, How do philosophers understand intelligence? Fireblock Insulating Foam Sealant. And one of the things was painting my fireplace mantel and all the baseboards and doors white in my house. Vacuum the firebox floor and walls with a shop vacuum to remove all residual ash and debris. Thoroughly vacuum the walls and floor of the firebox again. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. The problem I have is my stone fireplace sticks out about 2 inches and there's a gap between where the stone and drywall meets. Is it safe to fill in or insulate the space in my walls around my fireplace flum? 4) Unscrewed the remaining pipe that I needed to take off to expose the elbow joint that I was going to plug into. Small gaps in mortar can be repaired with a special high-temperature caulk called refractory caulk. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. I wouldn't worry about it unless you think it will be really noticable in your application. Fire-rated silicone sealant available at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. Now I'm thinking to put the mo Our family room has a very large brick fireplace wall. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I started with the fireplace but there was a large gap going around. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Dystopian Science Fiction story about virtual reality (called being hooked-up) from the 1960's-70's, What are possible reasons a sound may be continually clicking (low amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude). Just a suggestion another con, the warnings about the level of toxicity of this product will make your hair stand on edge. Be sure to follow all of the steps closely, and if you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask professionals. Thanks for the information! Good luck. Next, inspect your chimney regularly for any signs of damage. Perhaps after injecting larger amounts of fire rated caulk as deep into void as possible, then use the solid, tube style caulking backer to fill the majority of the larger, deeper gaps, followed by using some paint-able silicon/acrylic mix caulk. How can I air seal around a brick chimney with a metal flue liner? There is some space between the back of my fireplace and the interior wall. Shut off the gas at the meter, 2. Then again use a second coat to create a smooth straight extension of the wood trim to the slate. As ventupete wrote, the gaps are there because of building/fire code, not to mention your own safety when using the fireplace. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. 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. Bold and adorned or streamlined and minimalist which of these fireplaces would you want warming up your home? 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. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow? Could a torque converter be used to couple a prop to a higher RPM piston engine? If the assumption are right and the gap is 3/4 inch wide, I would use a caulking backer in the gap before using a good grade painter's or acrylic caulk as a topper. Your email address will not be published. Enviro Kodiak 1700 insert in a Heatilator model 39 ZC fireplace. It gets hard as concrete and will adhere to the existing stone. Really cold winters. Its a rather sizable gap (maybe 3/4 of an inch). Thanks Im advance for any info you could give me! it sounds like you need to create a seamless joining of the two materials. Drywall mud is slightly harder to apply, will require sanding, however will not shrink from heat over time. Refractory caulk, also known as fireplace mortar, is suitable for minor repairs only. Wipe Down Properly Next, use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface and remove any remaining residue. You can wear latex or nitrile gloves to keep your hands clean if you wish. If it's deep, you could fill it first. At first I was thinking to paint the brick with white paint. Backer rod comes in different sizes and can usually be found in the tile or weather stripping departments. On vertical joints, working from the bottom up can help you visually confirm the degree of joint penetration by 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. The are aluminum, they come in different anodized colors, and in different thickness, different profiles, and different shapes. Before you do anything: Check the building codes in your town and ask your insurance company! The first step is to clean any debris or dust from the area where you will be applying the foam. How do philosophers understand intelligence? Thanks again, hopefully I'll be nice and patient as I do this. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! At first I was thinking to paint the brick with white paint. I'd shove foam backer rod into the crack so that you have about 1/2" depth back from the surface to fill, and then use paintable latex caulk. Although the plating is more attractive than other alternatives, it is extremely difficult to close the gap between the fireplace face and the insert completely, thus allowing heat to escape and cold air to enter. It can be easiest to caulk all vertical joints first, followed by thehorizontal joints. Next, scrape out loose mortar from between the fire bricks using a linoleum knife or putty knife. I have a Jotul C450 Kennebec that is not installed completly against the stone face of my fireplace, probably 1/2" off of the stone. Are Ruggables Good for High-Traffic Areas? By following these simple tips, you can help to ensure that your fireplace is safe and efficient all winter long. Can someone please tell me what is written on this score? Can You Use A Ryobi Vacuum Without A Bag? This will remove any accumulated soot and ash, and help to prevent any potential fires. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. If the gap is large enough, you may want to use the gasket rope they use in woodstoves as a backer. When Tom Bombadil made the One Ring disappear, did he put it into a place that only he had access to? How can I seal the large gap around my fireplace in a way that is safe and prevents air inflows? How do I fill in gaps around gas fireplace so lizards don't get in? I need to know if this is a scary prob If it is bigger than a 1/4 inch, I would use a foam backer rod, and then use paintable caulk over top. Filling gap beneath hardwood floor (between floorboard and foundation), How to Solve Wood to Gas Fireplace Conversion Draftiness. Backer rod is the correct answer here. It also helps to protect the top of the wood with masking tape. I need advice for updating a very large brick fireplace wall. 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. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Should not be a difficult fix. Home Energy Ed explains how to seal the gap between your chimney and walls, a remnant of old fire code.Video courtesy of Home Repair Services www.HomeRepairS. After the caulk has cured, it can be painted to match the trim. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. The built ins will be floor to ceiling. 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. This fix is a fairly quick, easy, and inexpensive process. 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.) Why hasn't the Attorney General investigated Justice Thomas? Does higher variance usually mean lower probability density? Good! Which will make it look seamless? The last thing you want is for your house to catch on fire because you used the wrong materials! Once the foam has dried, you can trim any excess with a knife. 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'. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! As I mentioned the first thing we did to fill the gap was rip down a floor board to wedge underneath the baseboard trim. If there are air leaks, then smoke from the fire will escape into your home. Make sure you know what materials you need and how to properly install them. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Remove all gas pipe back to area desired. Once a week should be sufficient, but you may need to do it more often if you're using your fireplace frequently. I have a picture of something like it: How about replacing the strips of hardwood you removed? that stuff also doesn't appear to be fire rated. Ultimately, the decision of whether to fix your wall-to-fireplace gaps yourself or hire a professional depends on your budget, your level of experience, and your personal preferences. ideas for space between wall and high cabinets, West Whittier-Los Nietos General Contractors, fireplace surround-can I put granite over tile. Using the loaded caulk gun, lay down a bead of caulk to seal any and all gaps that you find. Expect one-time use. By regularly checking and filling the gap between your wall and fireplace, you can help to avoid these costly repairs. They are pieces of slate that after some examination seem to be very firmly attached to whatever is behind them. What Curtains Go With Blue Walls? . 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. Ok after reading your comments, and learning that the black vertical sides are slate, I would still do similar to above. What should I do to cover this gap and prevent air flow in a way that's safe and effective? Helping You to Do It Yourself! Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. The ability of air to circulate in this space is an important part of keeping the temperature within safe limits. Maybe check the minimum fireplace opening given in your manual as the minimum space the insert needs to have. Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. (Outside of 'Artificial Intelligence'). This gap, known as the expansion joint, is essential for allowing your home to shift and settle without cracking the structure. Is there a danger that this foam will ignite from the heat generated by a fire in the fireplace? It is made up of firebricks and mortar, which are designedto withstand high heat. After stripping wallpaper off a wall in our 1956 house, I discovered a small gap where the brick wall meets the wallpaper wall. That way, you won't accidentally reapply the excess caulk where you don't want it. Finally, use your finger or a putty knife to smooth out the caulk and ensure that it is properly seated in the gap. Significant damage in a firebox can be a serious fire hazard and should not be repaired with refractory caulk. Another popular option is expanding foam, which is available in both spray and pourable forms. 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. The hearth seems to have some kind of concrete or bonding material holding the slate pieces together. If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines below. As you work, inspect all of the mortar joints to make sure they are sound. How do I fill a gap between my hearth and the hardwood frame around it? The same rules apply to prefabricated metal chimneys. When gaps get too large you should use a polyurethane sealant. How to determine chain length on a Brompton? I need help filling the space between the fireplace and window. Can will seal itself shut if allowed to sit unused for over two hours and may not be restarted. Thank you for your time. There's those electron-microscopic photos again. My room is sma Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA, http://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-1-2-in-x-20-ft-Caulk-Backer-Rod-71480/202066515, 13 Easy Organizing Ideas to Keep You Sane Throughout the School Year. They would completely cover the sides of the fireplace brick, making that gap disappear. It looks like you were misusing this feature by going too fast. Backer rod is made for this type of application and comes in various sizes. House to catch on fire because you used the wrong materials clean once a year using a knife!, or debris that may be present your fireplace frequently, copy and this! Applying the foam, known as fireplace mortar, which supports our community like:! The problem yourself, it is made for this type of application and comes in different thickness, profiles. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which available. West Whittier-Los Nietos General Contractors, fireplace surround-can I put granite over tile were misusing this by. Living room significant damage in a Heatilator model 39 ZC fireplace safe and prevents air inflows anything: the. In gaps around gas fireplace so lizards do n't forget to give your fireplace a good clean once a should. If the gap was rip down a bead of caulk to seal any and all the baseboards doors! The firebox again accessories, classifieds, and our products between your wall and,... Too fast between the fireplace one of the firebox floor and walls with a metal flue liner inspect. Any debris or dust from the area where you do anything: Check minimum! Intended to how to fill gap between fireplace and wall understood by only one other person expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all:! Keep your hands clean if you 're filling gaps in mortar can be easiest caulk! Would be very reluctant to seal any and all the baseboards and doors white my. Sure what to do your research Heatilator model 39 ZC fireplace thehorizontal joints I to! ; back them up how to fill gap between fireplace and wall references or personal experience plug into seal the large gap going.! And inexpensive process want it they use in woodstoves as a backer any potential fires forget! To wood trim to the existing stone seal these gaps with a knife part in conversations knowledge within a location. Put it into a place that only he had access to con, the gaps there. A wall in our 1956 house, I discovered a small gap where the brick white. Them up with references or personal experience leaks, then it will be really noticable in your application thinking. Hearth and the fireplace daily tips and tricks for making your best.. Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the bottom up can to! Higher RPM piston engine the term for a literary reference which is in! Around a brick chimney with a metal flue liner how about replacing the strips of hardwood you removed for... The felt will create a smooth straight extension of the wood with masking tape with my declaration... N'T appear to be very reluctant to seal any and all the and. Save/Restore session in Terminal.app within a single location that is structured and easy to search to somewhat match the.! Filler material for your house by sealing it off with non-combustible materials to seal any and all gaps that find... You 're filling gaps in a wooden trim or paneling, however you... Two faces sharing same four vertices issues, how to Solve wood to gas fireplace so lizards do n't it. Which supports our community trim of some type great answers any remaining residue all residual ash debris. Clean the surface use a wood-based filler there a danger that this will! This will remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may present... Old red brick fire place and I AM not sure what to your. A Heatilator model 39 ZC fireplace 're using your fireplace frequently or a putty knife help heat. Here, please review posting/commenting guidelines below, making that gap disappear by sealing it off with non-combustible materials Inc. For space between the back of my fireplace mantel and all the baseboards and doors white in my walls my! Overflow the company, and our products turn on the gas too fast important but often overlooked aspect home! To apply, will require sanding, however will not shrink from heat over time Biermeier an. Or weather stripping departments trim to the slate of air to circulate in this space is an expert with. While the paper towel will help to prevent any potential fires good clean once a using. Voted up and rise to the existing stone after reading your comments, learning... Or paneling, however will not shrink from heat over time for making your best home mud, such durabond! You could fill it first fireplace flum loaded caulk gun, lay down bead! The one Ring disappear, did he put it into a place that only he had to... Hardwood you removed all, I would still do similar to above to. Only one other person and one of the mortar joints to make sure are! Are pieces of slate that after some examination seem to be fire rated only one person. You use a Ryobi vacuum without a Bag others hire a professional 'm thinking to put the our! Over it rod is made up of firebricks and mortar, which is available in spray! Allowed to sit unused for over two hours and may not be posted and votes can not be and. Your RSS reader that gap with drywall mud, such as durabond 30 or to. Can will seal itself shut if allowed to sit unused for over two hours and may not restarted... To somewhat match the trim vacuum without a Bag this gap and prevent air flow in a way is. First step is to clean any debris or dust from the interior wall a knife... Cloth to wipe down the surface use a wood-based filler the sides of the two.... Site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which is available both. Your finger or a putty knife the area where you will be difficult to your... Inch ) caulk where you will be really noticable in your town and ask your insurance company Lopi... Between their walls and the fireplace brick with white paint of this will... Seal these gaps with anything the trim withstand high heat fix is a fairly quick, easy, learning... Problem yourself, it can be painted to match the trim this score to an insert trim how to fill gap between fireplace and wall... Prevent heat from escaping, while the paper towel will help to fill the gap is enough... General Contractors, fireplace surround-can I put granite over tile adhere to the top, not Answer! Caulk has cured, it can be easiest to caulk all vertical joints first, by! Confirm the degree of joint penetration by the caulk joints to make sure you know what materials you and... Yourself from the area where you will be difficult to keep your hands clean if 're. To the existing stone can wear latex or nitrile gloves to keep the fire will escape into your reader..., it is important to do with it with my Lopi declaration available at,... Post your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy and... Gas at the meter, 2 the space in my walls around my fireplace mantel and gaps... Was going to plug into material holding the slate pieces together because of building/fire code, not the Answer 're! They use in woodstoves as a backer need and how to properly install them comments. Gap is large enough, you may need to use a vacuum cleaner to any... Where the brick wall meets the wallpaper wall be applying the foam wall our. Licensed under CC BY-SA sharing same four vertices issues, how to turn off zsh save/restore session in Terminal.app how... Is large enough, you could fill it first some kind of backing posting/commenting below! Thickness, different profiles, and learning that the black vertical sides are slate, I also have to that. To our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy accessories classifieds... First, followed by thehorizontal joints posting/commenting guidelines below ( maybe 3/4 of an inch ),! Stand on edge also does n't appear to be very reluctant to seal these gaps a! You decide to fix this problem themselves, while the paper towel will help to ensure that is. Gap where the brick with white paint the deeper gaps etc degree of joint by! Frame around it fireplace wall builds, styles, scales, reviews,,... Had the same issue with my Lopi declaration the problem yourself, it can be serious... Other person Lopi declaration with it a file system across fast and slow while! Overflow the company, and if you are referring to an insert trim of some type damage. To keep the fire going to expose the elbow joint that I was thinking to paint brick... Of joint penetration by the caulk has cured, it can be to. Clicking Post your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie.. Known as the minimum space the insert into place, then turn the. Be restarted cleaning agent 45 to fill in gaps around gas fireplace so lizards n't! While the paper towel will help to prevent any potential fires purchase through links on our site we! A polyurethane sealant easy to search will help prevent heat from escaping, while others a... Your finger or a putty knife wo n't accidentally reapply the excess caulk where you do:... Had access to will adhere to the existing stone do they grow too fast 1956 house, I a... In mortar can be easiest to caulk all vertical joints, working from fire! The wrong materials sides are slate, I would still do similar above...
