Zero Clearance Drafts & Other Questions

[Irish_Tim_Annapolis]

Hello Hearth.com,
I have a couple of questions on my ZC fireplace. Any advice would be appreciated. Ive also included a video showing the issues that i am having.

1) I have a draft between the sheetmetal walls and the sheetrock. - Can I mud the sheetrock up to the sheetmetal and caulk around the joint?? Is there a special type of caulk used around a fireplace?
2) In the video, Im inspecting the firebricks in the fireplace - they seem to be in good nick however its possible for me to slide my finger in between them. Is this normal??

Thanks,
Tim

 

[DAKSY]

Morning, Tim.
You can spackle with a plaster product like Durabond 90 or use plain old joint compound on the gaps the drywall to smooth it out,
& I'd use painter's caulk in the gaps between the drywall & the sheet metal of the ZC box. The isn't a lot of heat there so Hi-temp
RTV isn't needed. Looks like there has been some trim removed around the box, & that's where that damage may have come from.
A simple wood picture frame would cover that nicely.
As far as the gaps in your refractory, I would pull the sides & rear panel out & brush or vacuum the ashes out of the gaps.
When you replace them, normally the rear refractory panel fits in first & then the sides are pushed back against the rear as tightly as possible.
I hope this helps.

 

[Irish_Tim_Annapolis]

DAKSY,
Cheers for that. Thats what i needed. Appreciated. Got the spackle out this morning.
Tim