The sides and back wall of a standard wood-burning fireplace are built using fire bricks and mortar. Over time, excessive heat can adversely impact cement, causing the joints to crack or flake. In the event you become aware of bits of mortar on the ground Flagstaff of a fireplace, flattening the cracks employing a silicate-based refractory cement caulking that disables heat. Preparation is the trick to effectively caulking the cracks in a fireplace.

Wear work gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses. Protect the hearth and adjacent flooring or carpeting, using a drop cloth. Open the fireplace display completely and eliminate the log grate from the fireplace.

Eliminate debris and ash from the floor of the fireplace, employing a wet-dry vacuum. Eliminate soot from the mortar joints in the sides and rear walls of the fireplace, employing a stiff-bristle brush.

Inspect the vertical and horizontal mortar joints for cracks or flaking. Eliminate loose mortar at these regions, employing a 3-inch cold chisel and hammer. Use the brush to remove any remaining brick from the subjects of repair. Clean the debris up with the vacuum.

Set up a caulking gun with a tubing of silicate-based refractory cement caulking. Cut off the tip of the tubing to make a 1/8-inch opening, using a utility knife.

Caulk the ready areas in the mortar. For your best results, use a continuous motion as you draw the tip of the tubing along a crack. You might have to use a number of layers to get wider cracks. Permit the caulking to dry before using the fireplace.