Ways to repair the stove with your own hands

The deterioration in the functionality of heating equipment is accompanied by a decrease in efficiency and an increase in fuel consumption. Inadequate smoke extraction is hazardous to the health of users. A high-quality stove repair will eliminate problems at no extra cost.

Possible causes of oven malfunctions

Typical troubles are explained by various damage to the structure. When cracks appear, the tightness is broken. Deterioration of draft provokes clogging of the smoke exhaust system. A large temperature difference (inside the channel and the ambient air) can damage even high-quality masonry over time. In some situations, defects are formed due to user errors during operation.

In order to properly repair the stove, a preliminary check is needed. It is recommended to pay attention to relatively rare design problems:

• with the same height of the pipes located nearby, the smoke sucks in the second (inoperative) hole;
• supply ventilation performance may not be enough for the simultaneous operation of several heaters;
  
• the normal movement of air into the firebox is impeded by a closely installed staircase;
• exhaust ventilation outlet is made in one channel with smoke removal;
• the permissible number of pipe turns at an angle of 90 ° has been exceeded;
• air vents are installed too close to the fire door;
• the output channel is created not high enough, too narrow (wide).

It is recommended to clarify the external conditions. In the above situations, wind currents can provoke forced "pushing" of smoke into the building:

• the pipe is installed incorrectly in relation to the protruding ridge of the roof;
• parasitic turbulence is created by a large tree, another structure.

Separately, the cleanliness of the chimney is checked. In addition to soot, an obstacle can be created by a bird's nest or a detached part of the building structure.

Repair tools and materials

After diagnostics, a work plan is drawn up, an estimate of the necessary purchases. To carry out minor repairs to the oven with the elimination of several cracks near the door frame, it is enough to purchase a suitable sealant. Some modern formulations are designed to operate at temperatures above + 1400 ° C. As a rule, such mixtures are created on the basis of silicate components.

Other materials:

• building bricks for general construction work;
• fireclay for facing high-temperature zones;
• clay and sand, specialized ready mix;
• cardboard (sealing cord) with basalt additives;
• steel tape, wire.

Taking into account the peculiarities of technologies, the list of tools is adjusted:

• electric drill with attachments (brush, mixer);
• "Grinder" with discs for cutting appropriate materials (brick, concrete, metal);
• tape measure, square, building level, marker for marking;
• a sponge for wetting surfaces when creating brickwork;
• containers for creating solutions.

To disassemble the old structure, you need to prepare:

• crowbar and chisel;
• sledgehammer and pickaxe;
• shovel;
• perforator with a set of nozzles;
• stretcher (wheelbarrow);
• wedges made of steel.

Versatile tools are useful for performing other work operations. A powerful hammer drill and some other motorized machines are available for rent.

Minor repairs

Even minor troubleshooting requires some preparation. In accordance with the work plan, consumables are purchased, the availability of the necessary tools and replaceable nozzles is checked. It is recommended to do a general inspection to identify other deficiencies. You should familiarize yourself with the technologies for small repair of a brick oven with your own hands, together with methods for recognizing defects.

Sealing cracks

The violation of the tightness is accompanied by a noticeable deterioration in the composition of the atmosphere in the room, with characteristic traces of soot. Eliminate the problems as follows:

• clean the damaged area, remove poorly attached pieces of plaster, deepen the cracks by 1.5-2 cm;
• create a working solution in proportions (in parts): sand (10), cement (1), clay (3);
• moisten the crack with water, rub the prepared solution;
• level the surface.

For accurate localization of damage, the oven must be preheated. It is necessary to prepare the appropriate materials (tools) in advance if the restoration of the decorative coating is planned.

Replacing the hearth brick

The damaged structural element is removed completely, the old mortar is removed around the perimeter of the hole. A suitable brick is selected, the size is checked and there are sufficient gaps for correct installation. For styling use a liquid solution. It must be prepared by analogy with the original mixture that was used in the construction of the furnace.

Replacing individual bricks

Ensures that the bricks and the composition of the mortar are consistent with the components of the overall structure. At the same time, the stability of neighboring elements is checked.

Replacing the grate

Do-it-yourself brick oven repairs are performed taking into account the uneven expansion of individual elements when heated. The acquired grate is mounted with gaps on the side of the ends. A technological gap (4-6 mm) is left along the perimeter, which is filled with sand. Taking into account the peculiarities of a certain design, they ensure the normal position of the installed part, control the slopes.

Lining re-laying

In this case, preliminary dismantling of the furnace is required. Next, take out the bricks, remove the mortar, clean the work surfaces. The masonry is restored according to the original drawings.

Hog repair

According to the standard scheme, this structural element is located in the attic, so good lighting must be provided before starting work. When checking, the L-shaped transition to the horizontal section is especially carefully checked. If large cracks (1.5-2 cm) are found, minor repairs will not work. In this situation, the transfer of the corresponding part or the entire hog is performed.

Replacing or fixing the firebox door

Algorithm of actions:

• completely dismantle the fasteners;
• clean the working area;
• holes are drilled using an electric drill;
• install wire holders, a door;
• the protruding parts of the wire clips are bent into seams to provide a depression of 1.5-2.5 cm into the structure of the building structure.

When placing the door, as in the example with the grate, it is imperative to create a technological gap (4-6 mm) to compensate for the thermal expansion of metal parts.

Medium repair

If during the restoration of the stove it is planned to replace the tiles, it is necessary to take into account the aesthetic correspondence of the installed elements to the interior of the room.

Replacing the firebox

The walls are dismantled and new masonry is installed sequentially. This method of repairing a Russian stove with your own hands involves replacing all the bricks that form the structure of the firebox.

Elimination of blockages in vertical smoke wells

As a rule, problems in this category are associated with the need to install new partitions in the channels. To access the work area, you will have to consistently disassemble and restore the walls. If necessary, several sections are repaired according to a similar scheme until the functionality of the smoke exhaust system is fully restored.

Outdoor brick pipe repair

Indoor masonry is created using a standard oven solution. The outer part of the structure - with the addition of cement to the building mixture. At this stage, you need to check the correct placement of the outlet relative to the ridge of the roof.

Major overhaul

The work is performed according to a pre-prepared set of design documentation. However, the following positions are required:

• exact dimensions;
• calculation of loads;
• list of consumables.

Not necessarily strict adherence to drawing standards. But the content of each item must be complete. A correct shopping list, for example, can help eliminate unnecessary shopping visits.

Complete replacement of the bottom of the furnace

Corrections determined by the features of a particular design are permissible. Usually this technology is performed according to the following scheme:

• dismantle both walls, lining;
• remove construction waste;
• re-install the lining (the bundle with the main part is not used).

At the final stage, the integrity of the base, walls is checked in accordance with the plan of working drawings.

Complete disassembly and relocation of the oven

In order not to often repair an outdated structure, modern heating equipment can be installed. For a bath, maintaining the optimal temperature regime will provide a convenient electric heater. During seasonal operation of the summer cottage, an inexpensive fan heater will create comfortable conditions, and there will be more free space in the room. With the help of a new high-quality project, a significant increase in efficiency is possible in comparison with the "classic" version.

In all of these situations, the need for disassembly is implied. When performing the appropriate work steps, the following guidelines will come in handy:

• If it is planned to install a gas boiler (other heating equipment), it is possible to preserve the chimney.
• In old wooden houses, the furnace structure served as a part of the load-bearing frame, so individual components cannot be removed without special reinforcement.
• It is necessary to prevent contamination of the interior, take out the furniture, cover individual surfaces with plastic film.
• To perform working operations, you need to prepare a respirator, gloves, and other personal protective equipment.
• The clay parts of the structure become pliable after being plentifully wetted with water.
• Cement joints are destroyed with steel wedges, and the process is accelerated with a hammer drill.
• Dismantling starts from the pipe, continues sequentially from top to bottom.

During work, the doors are not opened, preventing soot from entering the room.When the base is weakened, the heavy structure will fall apart in an uncontrolled pattern.

Changing the volume and direction of chimneys

The technical parameters of this part of the project have a significant impact on functionality and safety. You should take into account the special recommendations of the developer when creating a sauna stove, fireplace, or other modification. General rules:

• the slope is created up to 30 ° per meter of the channel length;
• the outlet is installed at a height of at least 50 cm from the level of a flat roof or ridge;
• the distance from the furnace to the upper cut of the pipe is from 500 cm.

By increasing the number of turns, the efficiency of heat extraction is improved. However, the thrust deteriorates.

Complete replacement of one or more oven walls

When combining old and new masonry, the same type of bricks are used to exclude deformations from uneven thermal expansion. Given the significant weight of these parts, when repairing a brick oven, special attention is paid to the strength of the base. If necessary, the foundation is additionally strengthened.

Repair without disassembly

To restore the functionality of the smoke removal system, cleaning is applied according to the following algorithm:

• With the help of dry alcohol, a long burning is ensured in order to eliminate the lack of draft due to the accumulation of cold air at the bottom.
• With the use of dry wood (hardwood), a high-temperature effect is created in the channel for burning off soot.
• Strengthen the effect with a handful of table salt (when performing this operation, the door is quickly closed).

For access to individual parts of the chimney without disassembly, special holes are left during the construction process. In these places, special bricks are installed, which are knocked out if necessary.

Stove repair safety

At the stage of studying the project, they carefully check the abutment points of surfaces created from combustible materials. In addition to reliable insulation, individual areas are protected with metal sheets. When repairing a Russian stove with their own hands, they control the integrity of each brick by the characteristic "ringing" sound after a light hit with a trowel. Consumables are selected taking into account resistance to high-temperature influences with a certain margin.

For the safe performance of working operations, use personal protective equipment. Special precautions are taken at the disassembly stage when moving heavy objects. It is necessary to ensure the integrity of the structural frame of the building.

Monitoring the technical condition of the furnace

Careful control will prevent dangerous and emergency situations. Possible malfunctions are indicated by the following manifestations:

• deterioration in traction;
• the complexity of kindling;
• increased fuel consumption;
• traces of soot, smoke;
• cracking, inclination of the foundation, other visible damage.

To eliminate errors during repair, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations of project developers, manufacturers of consumables.