Hello,
I'm new to the forum, looks like we have a lot of knowledgable folks on here. I like people who know their stuff!
Anyway, the fireplace in our house is in rough shape. The back wall of the firebox has loose fire bricks that can be pulled out easily. It appears that there was never any motor between the bricks to begin with. Also, the damper has rusted out at some point from water damage, so it is totally missing except for the outer frame. So I've decided to install a wood burning insert.
The leaks have been repaired and the chimney has been inspected and been deemed ready to burn as long as the firebox is repaired.
Contrary to some reading I've done around these forums lately, I've had advice to just stick an insert in and call it good. But I want to do this right. I'm going to rebuild the back wall of the firebox before installing a SS liner, block off plate, and insert.
My question today is, if I use refractory mortor to put the fire bricks together when rebuilding, how will I be able to cure the mortor at 500 degrees? I assume I shouldn't be lighting a fire without a damper installed.
The refractory mortors I have looked at have all had this requirement for 500 degree curing. Will the heat from the insert be enough to cure the mortor? Or will it matter at all after I install the insert, anyway?
Thank you to all for your input
I'm new to the forum, looks like we have a lot of knowledgable folks on here. I like people who know their stuff!
Anyway, the fireplace in our house is in rough shape. The back wall of the firebox has loose fire bricks that can be pulled out easily. It appears that there was never any motor between the bricks to begin with. Also, the damper has rusted out at some point from water damage, so it is totally missing except for the outer frame. So I've decided to install a wood burning insert.
The leaks have been repaired and the chimney has been inspected and been deemed ready to burn as long as the firebox is repaired.
Contrary to some reading I've done around these forums lately, I've had advice to just stick an insert in and call it good. But I want to do this right. I'm going to rebuild the back wall of the firebox before installing a SS liner, block off plate, and insert.
My question today is, if I use refractory mortor to put the fire bricks together when rebuilding, how will I be able to cure the mortor at 500 degrees? I assume I shouldn't be lighting a fire without a damper installed.
The refractory mortors I have looked at have all had this requirement for 500 degree curing. Will the heat from the insert be enough to cure the mortor? Or will it matter at all after I install the insert, anyway?
Thank you to all for your input
