Firebrick Replacement in Prefab

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RogerCloudy

New Member
Dec 13, 2016
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87109
Hey there! Got an interesting question I can't find answered elsewhere. Hoping you folks can help!

I've got the common crack in a prefab wood-burning fireplace with the thin refractory panels and concrete base. The guy who patched it did an awful job, and I cannot patch it again. (The crack is too bad anyway.)

Now, I could look up the model number and all for the prefab panel. I'd probably have to buy an oversized and cut it myself. Either that or have a chimney specialist come out and charge me through the nose for 2+ panels.

Or - and here's my question - could I just lay firebricks (like these: https://www.rutland.com/p/41/fire-bricks) with refractory cement in the firebox? Wouldn't that be just as safe as having the panel inserts in there? Yeah, I'd lose some depth and width in the firebox where the logs burn, but it's gotta be easier than dealing with the thin panels.

Am I crazy or is this a good idea?
 
It may work. The problem is that with a prefab fireplace you aren't allowed to make any modifications. Any changes to it will void it's UL listing, therefore if there was a fire insurance wouldn't cover you.

What model fireplace do you have? A local hearth shop might be able to order them, to save some money you could install them.
 
Well, that's a shame about the UL; thanks for the heads-up though!

It's a Martin Model SC42 Prefab Fireplace. I can't seem to find the panels online, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

The zero clearance frame has a model number of 038021 on it and it looks like someone has scratched in another number of 52289. Not sure if either of those are correct.

Really appreciate the help
 
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