There are so many things that can go wrong in the home; we need to be more aware as homeowners to prevent the controllable situations. Time and time again fireplace inspection is stressed, and for good reason. One of the reasons this is drummed into the heads of homeowners, regardless of how much or how little they use their fireplace, is because the inspection will spot things such as cracked fireplace panels.
Prevention of Unintended Fires
House fires, simply put, are often an avoidable tragedy. They occur suddenly and senselessly and totally disrupt both lives and our overall sense of safety. They can be fatal, so the very least that should be done are basic tasks that will help prevent a dangerous fire in the home.
When your pre-fabricated fireplace panels crack, they no longer fully insulate your home from the heat of your fires. Cracking can occur in response to freeze and thaw cycles as well as to heat that exceeds what the system can bear. We all too often see homeowners who use their pre-fab fireplaces like masonry ones and build their fires way too high and hot.
Pre-fab fireplace panels cannot handle the same amount of heat that firebricks can, so they are much more likely to crack under pressure. That does not mean firebricks and mortar do not crack in response to the wear of time and especially water. Regardless of what is at the back of the fireplace, it needs to protect the home from fire, and it does not when it is cracked.
Don’t Use the Fireplace Until Cracked Panels Are Replaced!
The job of the fireplace panels in regard to the protection of your home and family cannot be overstated. Have a professional check the panels or firebricks at the back of your fireplaces to ensure your fireplace is truly safe and that your family and friends do not have to experience a heart-wrenching tragedy. We can only control so many things that cause tragedy, and this is one of them.