Firebricks can last more than 10 years if kept with little care. It is important to keep in mind that their lifespan depends on their type of construction. If you choose low-quality and poorly constructed bricks, they won’t last longer than a few weeks.
There are several things that you need to learn about firebricks before investing in a fireplace or stove made from bricks. Here, we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions to help you understand the possible damage your firebricks can face and the kind of care they need.
How Long Firebricks Last?
Firebricks can last for a few weeks or for more than ten years. Their lifespan greatly depends on the condition of the firebricks and how you have kept them. In general, if you keep your firebricks in good condition, they can easily last three seasons.
Factors that affect the lifespan of your firebricks include where you kept them, how often you use them, and their quality. Also, how often you clean and repair them can impact their life expectancy. It is also important to install firebricks accurately to prevent damage in the first place.
Do Firebricks Wear Out?
Yes, firebricks can wear out. The firebricks are a type of stove that reflects heat back into the burning fire. This process helps the stove to get a hotter and smoother burn. Since the bricks continuously burn in a high-temperature fire, they have a higher risk of wearing out. This is why your firebrick will need replacements from time to time. But if you are not using your fireplace regularly, then you don’t need to worry about frequent replacements and repairs.
Additionally, if you notice that your firebricks have started crumbling or wearing out, it’s a sign that you need to replace them. But it doesn’t mean that you run to make replacements when you start seeing cracks. Firebricks shouldn’t start falling off easily, so if you’ve invested in high-quality firebricks, then they will work effectively without any problems for several years.
Do You Need to Replace Cracked Firebricks?
It depends on the level of the cracks in the firebrick. If your firebrick has a slight crack, then you don’t have to replace it. This crack will not cause problems in its function, but when the crack is too big, it’s time for a replacement.
Wondering how you will know that it’s time to replace the firebrick? If the cracks are deep, then it’s time for an immediate replacement. A damaged or cracked fire brick is a potential fire hazard. For the security of your home, it’s best to stop using the fireplace until you replace the cracked brick.
Many people get confused as to whether a crack in their fireplace is dangerous or not. In this case, it’s best to hire an expert who can inspect your firebricks and evaluate their conditions. This way, you can make sure that it’s secure to use it or not.
How Much does it Cost to Replace Fire Bricks?
Firebricks are available at different prices. Generally, you can find firebricks to cost between $34 and $40 per sq foot. This also includes the cost of labor. When it comes to the cost of the single firebrick, it will cost you $0.50 to $1.30.
The cost of the firebricks can slightly vary depending on where you have purchased them and how big it is. If you are on a budget, then you can opt for a smaller burning area so that you don’t compromise on functionality.
How do Firebricks get Damaged?
Although bricks are strong and durable, they are still prone to damage. Fire can weaken a brick, making it more susceptible to wear. So, if you hit the bricks with wood or any other object, they can crack. And if you do this repeatedly, your firebricks will eventually fail.
Keep in mind there are many people who have been using firebricks for years but never have to replace them. This is because they have kept their stove or fireplace carefully. They also take a great time to load or unload woods and other material that they want to keep on the firebricks. Due to the gentle use, people can manage to use the bricks for over 10 years.
Some types of bricks also have a tendency to suck up moisture. This means when you burn firewood that is not properly seasoned, bricks come in contact with water that’s released by the wood. As a result, your firebricks become brittle and suffer from damage like cracks.
Can You Repair Your Firebricks?
Repairing a firebrick is possible if it gets slight damage and cracks. In this case, clean the soot, dust, or grease, not the firebrick that you need to repair. Of course, you need to take the firebrick out first, before getting to work. Once it’s clean, let it dry for a few hours.
You need to apply fire cement to the surface of the bricks that you need to repair. Use a towel for this purpose. If your brick has broken from several parts, apply a layer of cement to the broken part and place the broken piece on it. Make sure to clean the excess cement from the brick.
Now, apply the hat to your firebrick, and slowly increase the temperature after every half an hour. Keep the brick on fire for three to four hours. Once you are done with it, allow your brick to cool for several hours until it gets cool enough to touch.
Check for the damages and cracks from top to bottom when your bricks get cool enough to hold in your hand. If you notice further cracks and damage, you need to repeat the process. By following these steps, you can repair some bricks to use in the future.
When do You Need to Replace Your Firebricks?
You don’t need to replace your firebricks until they’re working accurately. Additionally, you need to replace your brick as soon as possible when they start to deteriorate. This means that your brick has completed its life expectancy, and it can’t be repaired.
What will happen if you do not replace your firebricks? It can allow the fire to escape from the damaged brick part. The things near the firebrick can be caught fire which leads to dangerous incidents. If you continue using the damaged brick, you will be putting your life in danger.
The burning wood can also leave from the damaged areas and can fall on the ground, which leads to problems. There are several accidents that can occur due to your slightest mistake, so make sure to regularly check and maintain your bricks to peacefully use your stove or burning place.
Bottom Line
Firebricks are extremely strong and durable materials that are hard to get damaged in normal conditions. But when you burn fire near the firebricks to use it for a stove or other purpose, it can make your bricks susceptible to damage.
This doesn’t mean that you will keep them on fire, and they will start deteriorating. But if you apply great force on them while they are on or near the fire, they may get cracks. The easiest and simplest way to improve the life expectancy of your bricks is to use them with care. If you have to place something on them, do it slowly without putting much force.
Sources
https://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/threads/how-long-do-firebricks-last.26139/
