Components of a Clay Masonry Style Fireplace

Foundation

• Because a masonry fireplace may weigh between six and seven tons, it's important that it have a solid, well-built foundation. The fireplace's foundation has footings, or supports, built into the ground to give it stability. These footings are independent of the home's foundation and footings. It's important to watch for any signs of settling in the foundation of a masonry fireplace, because this may throw the entire fireplace system out of alignment and may cause the fireplace to not work properly. Proper reinforcement can help prevent the foundation from settling.

Hearth

• A number of fireplace parts make up the hearth area. The fire rests on the inner hearth area. The outer hearth area helps protect the floor from errant sparks and cinders. The back of the hearth has an opening for ashes to fall into. The ash pit opens beneath the hearth to allow for the removal of the ashes. The entire area that contains the fire is the firebox. The top of the firebox opens into the flue. In masonry fireplaces, each of these fireplace parts must fit precisely together in order to get the smoke from the fire to draw up and out the chimney. Typically, the bricks or masonry stand up well to heat, but, over time, the mortar cracks may show signs of failure. If that happens, they need immediate repair. The lintel is a metal structural connection that helps provide support for the top of the opening into the firebox.

Chimney

• The chimney is the outer layer of bricks. Inside the chimney is the flue, where there should be a lining of tile sealed with refractory mortar. It's important to not allow the soot inside the flue to accumulate more than 1/4 inch, or there may be a chimney fire that can damage the tiles. Located where the hearth and chimney connect, the smoke chamber directs the smoke out of the house and doesn't allow it back in. A damper control regulates the amount of heat and smoke that goes up the chimney. It also helps regulate the amount of air draft a fire receives to make it burn. A chimney cap tops the chimney and prevents objects, such as birds' nests, from falling into the hearth below. It also keeps sparks from the fire from flying onto the roof.