Tile and brick hearths break...

[Jackfre]

it seems that over the years I've destroyed a lot of slate, brick or tile hearths. I am noted as a sledgehammer mechanic, so perhaps no surprises. It seems that when I need to make a smaller piece of wood out of the learger pieces and it is cold, rainy, snowy outside that I resort to the easy way and split it on the hearth. I am always surprised when they split I just bought the 1/4" steel plate for my new hearth. Am I th only one who destroys pretty hearths?

 

[Jags]

Am I th only one who destroys pretty hearths?

The first one that I have heard of.

 

[Highbeam]

I don't even split wood on the concrete slab beside my shop stove. There's a chopping block outside for that.

 

[DougA]

I learned my lesson when I cracked the cement garage floor when chopping a big beast.

 

[begreen]

I terrorized hearth, home and fireplace in 2006. Made a heckuva mess, inside and out.

 

[BrotherBart]

I have never had a pretty hearth.

 

[Ashful]

To me, form follows function. The only pretty hearth is one that has survived 200+ years of continuous use.

 

[begreen]

Have to disagree with that. There are lots of good looking and well formed hearths that are newer or new. Question is whether the house will last 200 years, not the hearth.

 

[BrotherBart]

To me, form follows function. The only pretty hearth is one that has survived 200+ years of continuous use.

The mud that made the bricks for mine in 1985 is way older than 200 years.

 

[Ashful]

Have to disagree with that. There are lots of good looking and well formed hearths that are newer or new. Question is whether the house will last 200 years, not the hearth.

... eye of the beholder, begreen! The OP was questioning hearth destruction, not house destruction, tho.

The mud that made the bricks for mine in 1985 is way older than 200 years.

Legend has it containing some "organic matter" deposited by Paul Revere's horse.

 

[BobUrban]

I have to re-set two tiles every year due to floor flex. I have a pole for the basement but did not install it before I stacked all my wood inside this winter so that will go in next spring. The floor is not sagging - I have checked. Just flexes a bit and two of the 12" tiles come loose after a season on walking on them. I will shore it up soon enough. I never chop wood on my hearth.