Replies

1. 
   Ben_Carnes | Oct 21, 1999 08:56am | #1

   *
   Can I assume this 'mason' used fire-brick and approved flue tile for the heat-contacting portions of this fireplace? If not you could be in for more than cosmetic problems. If, indeed, the heat is getting through the aforementioned approved and properly installed masonry products and is enough to expand and contract the outer blocks, perhaps diamond mesh (I hope he didn't stucco coat right over the block...) and stucco would "bridge" the joints of the block, or, if they are minor enough, elastomeric paint might do the trick.

   ...or maybe you shouldn't use this fireplace as a sauna....no water on the hearth in front to steam the pores open...haha

   -Ben

   Question: What happens when none of your bees wax?

   View Image

1. 
   tom_skinner | Oct 21, 1999 04:58pm | #2

   *Hello Ben:It's good to hear from someone who may know. I need to tell you that our mason is a very accomplished fellow who is highly respected here in Northern Michigan. He did, however stucco directly on the block. He's baffled (as is our contractor and painter) and has apologized for not telling me I should not have built a full fire in the fireplace the first time but acclimated the fireplace by starting out slowly. To further comlicate things we did close the glass doors when we built the first fire. This is our first winter in this new house and only our second winter up north. We've had four or five fires since (with the doors open) and the cracks seem to remain unchanged (hairlines - the largest maybe a 64th of an inch or less). A painter friend of mine called the Sherwin Williams folks and they also recommended elastometric paint. Unfotunately they only sell it in 5 gallon quanities and it's $26.00 a gallon. I wonder if we need to fill the hairline cracks with something elastic before we paint?A combination fireplace/sauna? Have you tried to patent that one.Thanks for your help - where are you located?Tom Skinner

1. 
   Ben_Carnes | Oct 21, 1999 06:24pm | #3

   *Tom,I'm in L.A. Got lots of experience with stucco cracks in '94 (Northridge 'quake, you know). I believe, although not a painter myself, that elastomeric will bridge cracks of a 1/64" size without filling first. To fill a crack you have to first make it big enough to work something into, so if you can avoid that you'd be better off.Haven't patented that one, but am thinking of a combination concrete vibrator/foot massager, and also a combination jackhammer/pogo stick. I think that would be a real energy-saver seeing as how you wouldn't have to plug it in!!hmmmm....-BenView Image

2. 
   tom_skinner | Oct 21, 1999 06:24pm | #4

   *
   Our new fireplace - built of lightweight block with a stucco finish about 1/4 inch thick developed hairline cracks when the first fire was burned in it. The cracks appeared on all sides of the fireplace. The mason says it's too bad but that's the way it is. Logic tells me there must be a product that can be painted over the cracks that will allow the fireplace to continue to expand and contract without surface cracks. What to do? Help!