What It Does

This is where the warmth, glow, and crackle all happen. The firebox is built to take serious heat, but like anything exposed to high temperatures day after day, it wears down.

Brick, mortar, and refractory panels can crack or crumble. That might not seem like a big deal, but when heat starts reaching the wood framework around your fireplace, things can go bad fast.

What Can Go Wrong

You might notice:

• Cracked or crumbling bricks and mortar

• Gaps in the firebox panels

• Dark stains or a smoky smell even when the fireplace isn’t in use

• A fire that doesn’t draw well or feels less warm than it used to
  

These are early signs that your fireplace isn’t venting or holding heat the way it should.

How the Pros Fix It

A certified chimney sweep does more than sweep. They check every inch of your firebox for hidden cracks or heat damage and can make the right repairs before those problems spread.

If your fireplace just doesn’t perform like it used to, your sweep might recommend a retrofit, like the PriorFire Fireplace System. It’s designed to burn cleaner and hotter, using a special shape and over-fire air system that creates a taller, livelier flame and more heat with less smoke.

You’ll still get the classic wood-burning experience, but with fewer emissions and better efficiency.

The Products They Trust

PriorFire: The patented HeatShield ® PriorFire Retrofit Fireplace System is a UL tested, engineered solution that transforms traditional masonry fireplaces. Its unique design and “Air Wing” system boost efficiency, reduce smoke, and give you that perfect flame without sacrificing the charm of a wood fire.