Warped cast iron fireplace

pruney

Hello
We bought our first house a couple of months ago and there is a cast iron fireplace with mantel in the front room which we really like and want to keep.
However, the mantel has warped (my mother thinks probably through use being heated up when the fire was in use and then warped when it went cold)and slopes down at the righthand side.
Does anyone know how/if this can be remedied so it's straight again and how much it would cost? We aren't planning to use the fire to burn coal, so once remedied it wouldn't happen again.

Any ideas or experiences with similar problems would be appreciated, google doesn't appear to be giving me much hope today!

Thanks

Ayesha

pruney

just giving this a bump to see if any fresh eyes can help,
Thanks
Ayesha

Peartree

It might just be worth contacting an architectural salvage company, which deals in old fireplaces, and see if you strike lucky with a friendly person who can give some advice? They may know of someone who fits reclaimed fireplaces who can help you out or can replace part of it?

In my house, I've got those gas fires that look like real ones fitted in my original fireplaces. Maybe if you call around some of the local companies that fit such gas fires, they might have contacts on the 'fireplace renovation' front. A chimney sweep might also have useful contacts.

Whilst the internet is wonderful in so many ways for getting information, there are times when a few minutes chatting to a local tradesperson on a quiet day can't be beaten. I was reminded of this recently when I had a question about flooring. I posted lots of queries on various forums but in the end, five minutes in a little independent flooring shop sorted it out. Unfortunately, sometimes the person we need to answer these sorts of renovation queries isn't the type who is addicted to internet forums!

Peartree

PS Failing that, keep the wonky fireplace, fix visitors with a steely gaze and tell them it's a design feature.

Mikeyorks

Not quite clear if the mantle is also part of the cast (iron)?

I'm assuming it is - in which case it's going to be difficult - as casts such as that don't respond well to being beaten back into place .. they just fracture. And if it's an integral part of the original casting (some parts are bolted on) .. don't think there's much you can do other than a plant pot on the top with a very trailing plant carefully arranged over the offending slope?

Taking it out and heat treating it back into shape .. may be an option .. but probably as expensive as replacing it. As previous post - have a look at a local architectural salvage yard for advice / possible similar replacement.

Was brought up with cast fireplaces / ranges etc etc .. but I've never seen one where the casing was adversely affected by heat. Cast fire bars used to fracture over time .. but I've never seen any part of the casting out of direct contact with the fire be distorted

pruney

Thanks both of you, on closer inspection we think it may be separate to the fireplace so going to have a go at taking it off and see what happens. I've been told on another site I can either then add a wooden mantle or another cast iron one.
Cheers again,
Ayesha