Mortar all cracks or go with Perlcrete?

[charger10s]

My dome is complete, and I have progressed through the curing fires, but as the fires got bigger, I noticed several small cracks here and there which leak smoke occasionally. I have been filling the bigger cracks with mortar as I see them, but I'm curious is that's even necessary.

I'm planning a thick layer of Perlcrete, so will I be causing/hiding/delaying any problems by going ahead with the Perlcrete layer without worrying any longer about the cracks? The Perlcrete and other insulations are designed to keep the heat in, so I'm thinking it should also block any smoke/heat loss from the cracks. What do you experienced builders think?

Thanks!

[brickie in oz]

Re: Mortar all cracks or go with Perlcrete?

but I'm curious is that's even necessary.

Being the pedant that I am I would brush a slurry of mortar into the cracks as the oven is hot.

[charger10s]

Re: Mortar all cracks or go with Perlcrete?

When you say "brush" do you literally mean use a brush? And by slurry, is that just a really wet mortar mix? I can try that, but some of the cracks are really thin, am I am asking for trouble if I just go with the perlcrete?

[Neil2]

Re: Mortar all cracks or go with Perlcrete?

Go with the perlite/vermiculite/cement after mortaring the larger cracks. In this instance I would define "larger" as a crack about 1/32 inch wide or more.

Small hairline cracks will always be forming and are not critical.

[charger10s]

Re: Mortar all cracks or go with Perlcrete?

Cool, thanks for the input guys!

[brickie in oz]

Re: Mortar all cracks or go with Perlcrete?

When you say "brush" do you literally mean use a brush? And by slurry, is that just a really wet mortar mix?

Yes, but I wouldnt worry about hairline cracks.
By crack I thought you meant a proper crack.

[charger10s]

Re: Mortar all cracks or go with Perlcrete?

Yes, but I wouldnt worry about hairline cracks.
By crack I thought you meant a proper crack.

Awesome, thanks again!