Cracked and crumbling mortar

[NewbieHomeowner]

Good afternoon.

A few weeks I ago I had installed a Stoll fireplace door in my fireplace. Due to the structure of the hearth, the doors were installed on the inside, and mortared to frame of the hearth itself. Much to my extreme annoyance, the mortar is already crumbling and cracking and the door is beginning to loosen a bit from the fireplace.

I've reached out to the installer, but was wondering what could cause this so soon.

 

[webby3650]

That looks pretty minor, just be cool and I'm sure the installer will fix it.

It happens on occasion, the expansion and contraction rate of the door is different than the stone, So the bond is broken. How long did you wait to build a fire after the door was installed?

 

[mrdinks]

It looks like the door got bumped or moved. Any movement before that mortar is good and hard would cause that. It don't take much.

 

[NewbieHomeowner]

That looks pretty minor, just be cool and I'm sure the installer will fix it.

It happens on occasion, the expansion and contraction rate of the door is different than the stone, So the bond is broken. How long did you wait to build a fire after the door was installed?

It was installed in the morning and the installer said it was fine to build a fire that night. He just said to be gentle with the doors, which I was. The cracks only appeared in the last week or so. Was installed on Nov. 21.

 

[saydinli]

My stone guy said not to use the fireplace for 7 days after he's done. He said the mortar dries too quick causing cracks and gaps.


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[webby3650]

It was installed in the morning and the installer said it was fine to build a fire that night. He just said to be gentle with the doors, which I was. The cracks only appeared in the last week or so. Was installed on Nov. 21.

Ya, we usually tell people to wait 48 hours at least.