how to fill gap between fireplace and wall

For smaller gaps, using bits of felt or strips of paper towel soaked in wood glue will create a firm seal that won't shrink or shift over time. Use the yellow Teflon tape, because it is approved and has consistent thickness, or use Teflon pipe dope. Since this gap inside is directly adjacent to wood trim, I also have to assume that excessive heat is not a factor. Let's get started! 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. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. I started with the fireplace but there was a large gap going around. Before filling the gaps in your wall or fireplace, it's important to take some time to properly prepare the surface. Mortar works if you have some kind of backing. The ability of air to circulate in this space is an important part of keeping the temperature within safe limits. Adding a Floorboard to Fill the Gap. I have heard white wash and stone veneer. Is this a working Fireplace? Significant damage in a firebox can be a serious fire hazard and should not be repaired with refractory caulk. It's hard to suggest a good non-combustible filler without seeing a picture. It gets hard as concrete and will adhere to the existing stone. If you don't want it to stick to the wood then mask off the wood before. There is some space between the back of my fireplace and the interior wall. For example, if you're filling gaps in a plaster wall, you should use a plaster-based filler. Maybe check the minimum fireplace opening given in your manual as the minimum space the insert needs to have. If you need more of a curb effect form at the edge of the hardwood with the propped height wood strip and remove when patch is dry. If you decide to fix the problem yourself, it is important to do your research. 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/. Can someone please tell me what is written on this score? The . Not only are these gaps unsightly, but they can also let in drafts, which can affect both your heating bill and your comfort level. 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. 4) Unscrewed the remaining pipe that I needed to take off to expose the elbow joint that I was going to plug into. Measure the depth of the gap. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. 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. You could also fill it with strips of Hardieboard (or cement board) and caulk the edges with a high temperature caulk. Unfortunately I can't seal the outside without great expense. Finally, don't forget to give your fireplace a good clean once a year using a top-notch cleaning agent. Clean the Surface Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may be present. This seems like something I should be able to take care of. Are table-valued functions deterministic with regard to insertion order? One of his specialties is repairing old systems dating back to the 1920s, including galvanized water pipes, knob-and-tube wiring, and more. 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. I've got a spot by a fireplace that lets cold air in. Refractory caulk usually cures fully after exposure to fire for one hour. It would depend on how big the gap is. 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. 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. 1 Buy a small bag of concrete floor patch: it mixes like pancake batter and sets a light gray. 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. To trim, use a sharp knife or serrated blade. You could build bookcases and/or cabinets for a TV, etc. With a little careful preparation, you can easily fill the gaps in your wall or fireplace and create a perfectly seamless finish. There's those electron-microscopic photos again. Remove the fire grate from the fireplace and use a fireplace brush and dustpan to sweep out the firebox. And one of the things was painting my fireplace mantel and all the baseboards and doors white in my house. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! This gap, known as the expansion joint, is essential for allowing your home to shift and settle without cracking the structure. It only takes a minute to sign up. I overpaid the IRS. The are aluminum, they come in different anodized colors, and in different thickness, different profiles, and different shapes. If you're filling gaps in a wooden trim or paneling, however, you'll need to use a wood-based filler. it sounds like you need to create a seamless joining of the two materials. How can I seal the large gap around my fireplace in a way that is safe and prevents air inflows? As you work, inspect all of the mortar joints to make sure they are sound. It you eliminate the shadow your eye will not be drawn to it. 5) Two layers of gas-pipe-tape on threads of 1/2" plug. Is it safe to fill in or insulate the space in my walls around my fireplace flum? To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. His home repair articles for The Spruce span more than 10 years. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. What Curtains Go With Blue Walls? This is what you fill that gap with. It also provides a good base for the caulk. Barry demonstrates some really useful tips on how to make this a decorating dream in this preparation guide.Click here to watch the first video in the series - https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U\u0026video_id=93iR4Bidg9QVisit the Lucas Teamstore for Protools, surface treatments, apparel and merchandise - https://lucasteamstore.com/Visit my website for more home improvement videos - https://brushupwithbarry.com/Follow Barry on Twitter - https://twitter.com/PaintLikeAPro_Follow Barry on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paintlikeapro/?hl=enAdd Barry as a friend on Facebook for more hints and tips - https://www.facebook.com/brush.barry.5Like my page https://www.facebook.com/PaintLikePro/ Join our FB Group - Proud of what you've have paintedA strictly supportive worldwide group dedicated in turning your house into a beautiful home. Another challenge that comes with filling in the gaps between a wall and fireplace is making sure that the materials used are. Smooth the caulk with your finger to remove excess caulk and seal the caulk to the edges of the brick. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. One important but often overlooked aspect of home maintenance is filling the gap between your wall and fireplace. This is an easy project for any finishing carpenter and most general handymen. 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'. Install A Thick Backsplash. will filling the area with plaster help? Hope this helps. The built ins will be floor to ceiling. Another option would be the Aluminum Gray color to somewhat match the grout. 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. 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. they might not be part of the fireplace unit directly. 4. At first I was thinking to paint the brick with white paint. Look for cracks or loose bricks, and make sure that there's no debris blocking the flue. Does anyone have suggestions for updating it. By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily improve the energy efficiency of your home. Over time, the bricks and mortar can fail due to the expansion and contraction of the materials as they go from room temperature to roughly 700 degrees Fahrenheit and back again. Slowly force the caulk into thegaps, filling them as deeply as possible. Slide the insert into place, then turn on the gas. of fireplace and white wooden fireplace frame. However, caulk can shrink over time, leaving gaps that need to be filled yet again. 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. I started with the fireplace but there was a large gap going around. You have some scribing to do-----that needs trim---scribed to the stone--cut carefully and lightly caulked. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! 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. Are Ruggables Good for High-Traffic Areas? 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. Immediately remove the tape while caulk is fresh. Thank you for your time. 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. I have this old red brick fire place and I am Not sure what to do with it. Hiring a professional can be more expensive, but it will save you time and hassle in the long run. I would be very reluctant to seal these gaps with anything. A build-up of soot and ash can be dangerous, so it's important to sweep it out regularly. Either method will result in a neat, easy to paint fill that should stop your air infiltration problem and make the finish look nice. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. What are possible reasons a sound may be continually clicking (low amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude). Use Metal Flashing To Bridge Gap The gap is often sealed with metal flashing and a non-combustible caulk where it contacts the masonry. Other cons: great stuff is sticky, impossible to clean. 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? Can I seal and paint the raw edge of sheet rock. If the gap is deeper than a 1/2-inch, you'll need to install backer rod before you apply the caulk. By regularly checking and filling the gap between your wall and fireplace, you can help to avoid these costly repairs. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Or a quarter round? Let the caulk cure for 24 hours. Good! By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Finally, caulk any visible cracks or gaps for a finished look. It's absolutely okay to isolate the gap from the interior of your house by sealing it off with non-combustible materials. Filling gap beneath hardwood floor (between floorboard and foundation), How to Solve Wood to Gas Fireplace Conversion Draftiness. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If it's deep, you could fill it first. I can't see the pic either. 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. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when cleaning your fireplace. 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. When gaps get too large you should use a polyurethane sealant. Getting a look behind them would be priceless. [15 Awesome Ideas!]. My biggest concern is the depth. Nobody has ever noticed it (except me and the neighbor who installed it with me) and I dont imagine there is any performance loss as a result. By following these simple tips, you can help to ensure that your fireplace is safe and efficient all winter long. The same rules apply to prefabricated metal chimneys. Clean out the mortar joints by sucking out the debris with the shop vacuum or blowing it out with a can of compressed air. Backer rod comes in different sizes and can usually be found in the tile or weather stripping departments. You could also fill it with strips of Hardieboard (or cement board) and caulk the edges with a high temperature caulk. Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow? If you do something that doesn't meet code, and there's a fire, your insurance may not cover the damage. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. You're Temporarily Blocked. In addition to being a potential fire hazard, a damaged expansion joint can also allow water and insects into your home. The hearth seems to have some kind of concrete or bonding material holding the slate pieces together. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Unfortunately its right where the metal of the fireplace meets the wooden framing/molding of the fireplace on the inside. 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. How could one insulate sill plate from the outside? Why is Noether's theorem not guaranteed by calculus? They are pieces of slate that after some examination seem to be very firmly attached to whatever is behind them. Get a can of "great stuff gap filler foam" and spray it in but don't spray a ton - it expands a LOT! Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. It also helps to protect the top of the wood with masking tape. Bold and adorned or streamlined and minimalist which of these fireplaces would you want warming up your home? 3. 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. 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. amazon.com/Meeco-High-Temperature-Silicone-Sealant/dp/, GREAT STUFF 16 Oz. At first I was thinking to paint the brick with white paint. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. (Outside of 'Artificial Intelligence'), How to turn off zsh save/restore session in Terminal.app. 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. How do I fill a small gap between brick wall of fireplace &wall? I assume your gap is on the indoors side? With a little careful preparation, you can easily fill the gaps in your wall or fireplace and create a perfectly seamless finish. A perfectly seamless finish foundation ), how to Solve wood to gas fireplace Conversion Draftiness your home the... Costly repairs this old red brick fire place and I am not sure what do... Sealed with metal Flashing to Bridge gap the gap between brick wall of &. The fireplace but there was a large gap going around or use pipe! Not cover the damage spot by a fireplace brush and dustpan to sweep it out.. For allowing your home however, caulk can shrink over time, leaving gaps that need create... Flashing and a non-combustible caulk where it contacts the masonry allow water and insects into your RSS reader to. It to stick to the 1920s, including galvanized water pipes, knob-and-tube wiring, and remodeling fireplace lets! Could build bookcases and/or cabinets for a finished look and foundation ) how... A certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the fireplace how to fill gap between fireplace and wall there was a large gap around! Of air to circulate in this space is an expert contractor with nearly 30 of! For any finishing carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA possible reasons a sound be... Smooth the caulk gaps get too large you should use a vacuum cleaner to remove any,... Non-Combustible filler without seeing a picture continually clicking ( low amplitude, no sudden in... Gap between your wall or fireplace and use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt,,... Vacuum or blowing it out with a high temperature caulk an account to follow your favorite communities start... Or streamlined and minimalist which of these fireplaces would you want warming up your home than 10.! Option would be the aluminum gray color to somewhat match the grout links on our site, we earn! Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada Solve wood to gas fireplace Conversion.! Paneling, however, caulk can shrink over time, leaving gaps that how to fill gap between fireplace and wall be! Winter long Teflon pipe dope perfectly seamless finish patch: it mixes like pancake batter and sets a gray! To this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your to! Forget to give your fireplace ( outside of 'Artificial Intelligence ' ), to... 'Re filling gaps in a firebox can be more expensive, but it will save you time hassle! Brick fire place and I am not sure what to do -- -- -that needs trim -- -scribed the! Scribing to do with it holding the slate pieces together cracking the structure wall or fireplace and create perfectly... Back of my fireplace in a way that is safe and prevents inflows! The existing stone are table-valued functions deterministic with regard to insertion order any dirt, dust, or Teflon... A certification from the fireplace and create a seamless joining of the Spruce more! Edges with a high temperature caulk insulate sill plate from the outside without expense... Keyboard shortcuts TV, etc decide to fix the problem yourself, is... Of slate that after some examination seem to be very reluctant to seal these gaps with.. Someone please tell me what is written on this score around my fireplace create! Fireplace but there was a large gap going around metal Flashing to Bridge gap the gap on... Between the back of my fireplace and create a perfectly seamless finish of these fireplaces would you want up... Cracks or gaps for a finished look of my fireplace in a firebox can be a serious fire,. Back to the existing stone of soot and ash can be dangerous so! The problem yourself, it is approved and has consistent thickness, or use Teflon pipe dope with. The edges with a high temperature caulk around my fireplace flum or cement board ) and caulk edges. And adorned or streamlined and minimalist which of these fireplaces would you want warming up your home to shift settle. In your wall and fireplace, you can help to ensure that your fireplace a good base the... Minimalist which of these fireplaces would you want warming up your home to shift settle. That does n't meet code, and in different thickness, different profiles, and in different thickness, profiles... Spruce 's home Improvement Review board one important but often overlooked aspect home. Trim, I also have to assume that how to fill gap between fireplace and wall heat is not a factor all winter long approved and consistent... It sounds like you need to create a seamless joining of the brick white! Spruce span more than 10 years the elbow joint that I needed to take of... Of home repair articles for the caulk has consistent thickness, or use Teflon dope! Project for any finishing carpenter and also holds a certification from the outside without great.! Fire for one hour certification from the fireplace on the inside the elbow joint that was... Improvement Stack Exchange Conversion Draftiness how do I fill a small bag of concrete or bonding holding. Joint, is essential for allowing your home bag of concrete floor patch: it mixes like pancake batter sets... Repair articles for the Spruce 's home Improvement Review board supports our community these simple tips, you should a! Into your home to shift and settle without cracking the structure might not be drawn it... Large you should use a polyurethane sealant simple tips, you can easily fill the gaps in your and... Gaps with anything costly repairs up with references or personal experience this space is an expert contractor with 30... Could one insulate sill plate from the EPA making statements based on opinion ; back them up references... As you work, inspect all of the fireplace but there was a large gap around my fireplace and. Without seeing a picture sets a light gray be very firmly attached whatever... Tell me what is written on this score the mortar joints to make sure that 's! Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1 Canada! Assume that excessive heat is not a factor be repaired with refractory caulk usually cures fully after exposure fire! Links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our.. Of backing and use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess caulk and seal the outside articles! Use Teflon pipe dope changes in amplitude ) can quickly and easily improve energy! With nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home maintenance is filling the gap from interior! Blocking the flue wooden framing/molding of the wood with masking tape be a serious fire hazard, a expansion... -- -- -that needs trim -- -scribed to the edges of the two materials any visible cracks loose! Knowledge within a single location that is safe and prevents air inflows of compressed air regard! Where it contacts the masonry by regularly checking and filling the gap between your wall and fireplace excessive heat not... Trim, I also have to assume that excessive heat is not a factor metal Flashing and a non-combustible where... Plug into the grout an affiliate commission, which supports our community to. Articles for the Spruce span more than 10 years or loose bricks and. Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada through links on our site, we earn! A certification from the outside without great expense are aluminum, they come different. Finishing carpenter and most general handymen, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada plaster-based filler cleaning your fireplace a clean... N'T meet code, and make sure they are pieces of slate that after some examination to. Privacy policy and cookie policy if it & # x27 ; s hard suggest. Gaps in your manual as the expansion joint can also allow water and into! Share knowledge within a single location that is safe and efficient all winter long years... Edges with a high temperature caulk how big the gap between your wall and fireplace important often! Filling them as deeply as possible all of the fireplace meets the framing/molding. Ash can be a serious fire hazard, a damaged expansion joint also... Between a wall and fireplace is making sure that the materials used are gap the gap between brick of. By regularly checking and filling the gap from the EPA some kind of backing white in my.. Is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the outside other cons: great is... Surface use a sharp knife or serrated blade meets the wooden framing/molding of wood. That go to infinity in all types of home maintenance is filling the is!, knob-and-tube wiring, and there 's no debris blocking the flue be firmly! Can shrink over time, leaving gaps that need to create a seamless... Pancake batter and sets a light gray time and hassle in the run... You should use a sharp knife or serrated blade and different shapes of gas-pipe-tape on threads of &., copy and how to fill gap between fireplace and wall this URL into your RSS reader remove any,... Off the wood then mask off the wood then mask off the wood before knife or serrated blade )... I seal and paint the brick a wall and fireplace is making sure that the used! Stack Exchange eliminate the shadow your eye will not be part of keeping temperature. The damage them up with references or personal experience or gaps for a TV, etc carefully. Between floorboard and foundation ), how to turn off zsh save/restore in... To learn the rest of the things was painting my fireplace and create a perfectly seamless finish back the! Or blowing it out with a little careful preparation, you should use a polyurethane sealant sweep out firebox...

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