Will a fire pit damage my patio?

Will a Fire Pit Damage Concrete On a Patio? Yup. It may be slow, but a fire pit will damage concrete over time. To prevent concrete from being damaged under your fire pit, you can use a pit mat, a fire ring, or a heat shield.

Can you put a fire pit on a patio?

Never use wood-burning fire pits on a covered patio or deck. Wood fires release highly combustible creosote, embers, and sparks which can cause damage to all kinds of flooring and house structures.

Will a fire pit damage a concrete patio?

A fire pit will damage a concrete patio over time. The heat that a fire pit gives off when used will be enough to dehydrate the concrete, causing it to expand and crack. The heat will break down the cement in the concrete and also cause the concrete to change color to a pinkish hue.

Will fire pit ruin pavers?

Yes, patio pavers are safe underneath fire pits. What is this? However, the heat can discolor patio pavers depending on the type of materials used. If you're concerned about discoloration, simply install a fire pit mat (like the one linked above).

Can you put a fire pit on slabs?

Decorative fire pits can be found at major retailers and offer the same warmth and function as a DIY stone or paver fire pit. With this simple installation, you can place the fire pit on a concrete slab and be able to use it without worry of damaging the concrete.

5 Do's

Can you put a fire pit on top of a paver patio?

If you are incorporating a fire pit on a pre-existing installation, you can safely build one on top of it, as long as the pavers you're using are porous and fire-resistant. If they are not, it is recommended that you remove some pavers and expose the ground beneath, so you can then build your fire pit around it.

What do you put under a fire pit on a patio?

What do you put in the bottom of a fire pit? You'll want to start with a layer of sand at the bottom of the pit, and then top the sand with gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, paving stones or even bricks for your fire pit. Alternatively, you can simply use dirt.

How do I protect my deck from a fire pit?

Use Pavers Underneath the Fire Pit

There are specially made fire pit mats, which are made to withstand the extremely high temperatures a pit can reach. Or simply arrange pavers or bricks in the area where your fire pit will be placed. These will protect the deck from being damaged by high temperatures.

Will a fire pit damage my porcelain patio?

Porcelain paving is very durable and will not be impacted by the heat that a fire pit generates.

Will concrete crack with fire?

Concrete is made up entirely of non-combustible materials, this lack of flammability makes it the perfect base for a fire pit. What concrete will do is expand when exposed to high temperatures, this could potentially cause cracking. The good news is that this cracking can be prevented with a little bit of forethought.

What temperature will concrete crack?

Concrete temperatures which exceed air or ground temperatures by more than 35ºF can cause thermal cracking.

Does concrete explode when heated?

If a fire breaks out in a tunnel, heat has limited escape routes and can increase temperatures to over 1,000°C (1,832°F) in a short time, causing concrete to explode like popcorn.

Do I need a mat under my fire pit?

To protect composite decking from the heat of the fire pit on the deck, you need two things under the fire pit. Space between the fire pit bowl and the decking is essential to reduce heat on the decking. Plus, a fire pit mat under the fire pit reflecting heat away from the decking while being fire resistant.

Is a fire pit safe on a deck?

Never, never, NEVER place a fire put directly on a wooden or composite deck. Potential expensive issues due to the use of a fire pit on a wood deck range from full-on fire damage and the destruction or weakening of the decking and the supporting structure, to cosmetic damage from scorching.

How large should a patio be around a fire pit?

A fire pit itself is rarely larger than four or five feet across. The patio space around it should be an additional four to six feet on all sides. Seat walls are a great way to both visually define the space and allow for lots of seating. But don't enclose the space completely with walls.

How much overhead clearance do you need for a fire pit?

This also reduced issues with wind direction pushing toxic fumes your way. Most places require a clearance above the fire pit of 21 feet, to allow for overhead branches. Be mindful of your property line.

Can you put a fire pit on ceramic tiles?

Yes it is possible, however we advise that you should place a heat resistant or clay tile and raise it on breeze-blocks between your wooden decking or non-heat resistant tiles and your fire pit.

Will a fire pit damage my sandstone patio?

Your deck or patio may get stained from the firepit, especially if you have a particularly porous stone paving such as sandstone. Try to look for a fire pit that has been treated to produce a rust patina finish, which hardens off after a few months of being exposed to the natural elements.

Do porcelain slabs break easily?

Porcelain paving is comprised of clay, sand, feldspar and other minerals. Unlike crockery, this expertly crafted porcelain won't break easily. Porcelain slabs are non-porous and strong thanks to the use during manufacture of high temperature kilns at up to 1400°C.

How far should fire pit be from house?

Place your fire pit at a safe distance (10-25 feet) from any flammable structures or surfaces. This includes your house, trees, shed, vehicle, neighbors' property, and wood deck, among other things. Keep your fire pit away from overhanging branches. A 21-foot clearance is standard for most municipalities.

Can you put a fire pit on deck tiles?

Some tiles can handle high heat and be placed under your fire pit. Tiles made from concrete, clay, ceramic materials, or stone will provide a level of protection against the hot embers that come up off the bottom of the fire pit.

Where should a fire pit be placed?

Fire pits should be placed on a level surface, no less than ten feet away from any structure, 20-25 feet or more is best, in a wide-open space, away from trees with low hanging limbs, woodpiles, bushes, and other materials that could ignite if contact with a flame is made.

Does Fire Brick protect concrete?

Some types of stone, masonry bricks, and compressed concrete can degrade or explode when exposed to the intense heat of a campfire. Fire brick is designed to hold up to high temperatures and lining your fire pit with it will ensure safety and extend the life of your pit.

Are concrete pavers heat resistant?

Concrete pavers won't get nearly as hot as brick pavers and dark stones. When the outside temperature is 90 degrees, they will be as hot as 120 degrees. Don't think a concrete slab will give you the same results, it won't. There is space between pavers so that heat can be shed.

Should you put sand in bottom of firepit?

The main benefits of using sand are that it helps to soak up the heat and evenly distribute the heat throughout the fire pit. Sand is also great for protecting the actual metal bowl from the intense heat the fire can put out. At the end of the day, there is no harm in putting sand in the base of a metal pit.