Fireplace Repair

Fireplace repair. Firebox, damper, and gas log work.

A fireplace is more than the chimney. The pros we send repair the parts homeowners actually interact with: cracked firebrick in the firebox, stuck or rusted dampers, failed gas log valves, refractory panels in prefab fireplaces, and the smoke shelves and chambers that determine whether a fire draws clean or smokes you out of the room.

(858) 925-5546 Request a quote

fireplace technician in warm terracotta polo replacing cracked firebrick in a masonry firebox

What's included in this service?

Firebrick replacement in masonry fireboxes
Refractory panel replacement in prefab (zero-clearance) fireboxes
Damper repair, replacement, and top-mounted damper installation
Gas log inspection, valve repair, and pilot service
Smoke chamber parging to fix smoking-fireplace problems
Throat damper smoke guard installation for short-flue downdraft
Firebox mortar joint repair (refractory mortar only, not regular mortar)

When do you need this service?

Cracked or missing firebrick in the firebox
Damper is stuck open, stuck closed, or warped
Gas logs will not light, run yellow instead of blue, or smell of gas
Smoke spills into the room when you light a fire
Refractory panels in a prefab fireplace are cracked or crumbling
You inherited a fireplace and don't know if it is safe to light

What do homeowners ask about Fireplace Repair?

Do cracked firebricks need to be replaced?

Hairline cracks in firebrick are normal and not a safety issue. Cracks wider than 1/16", missing chunks, or cracks that go through the brick are a problem, they let heat reach the masonry behind, which is not designed to handle direct flame. The pros we send replace cracked bricks with proper firebrick set in refractory mortar.

Why does my fireplace smoke into the room?

Most common causes: damper closed or partially closed, cold flue (light a paper torch and warm it before starting the fire), chimney shorter than nearby roof peaks (downdraft), smoke chamber rough or oversized (needs parging), or a clogged flue. We diagnose with a smoke pencil and camera, then quote the right fix.

Can you replace a damper?

Yes. Throat dampers (the original cast iron or steel ones inside the firebox) can usually be repaired with a new plate or handle assembly. If the damper frame is rusted out, the pros we send install a top-mounted damper that seals at the top of the chimney with a stainless steel cable down to the firebox. Top-mount dampers also seal far better, they save energy year-round.

Do you service gas log sets?

The pros we send inspect, clean, and repair vented gas log sets. We do not install new gas line work, that is a separate plumbing license. If you need a full new gas log set with a new line, we coordinate with a licensed plumber.

Can you make a prefab fireplace usable again?

Most of the time, yes. Prefab fireboxes 15+ years old typically need new refractory panels, baffle replacement, and a new damper. Some older models are out of production and parts are scarce, in those cases, we sometimes recommend replacement of the whole firebox or conversion to a gas insert. We give you the honest math before you spend.