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Looks like a good fix Dave! That metal arch should do the trick.
I've said it before, but one thing your falling bricks do show is how stable these domes really are... even if you loose a brick or two (or four ), the dome doesn't just tumble down, and you can fix it.
What do you think caused your bricks to fall??? Any insight you could give to us who are almost done/still finishing up.
Thanks
dick
thebadger
I'm really not sure Dick.
I did get a rather large crack on the back of the dome. It ran from the back of the dome and all the way up to the top. It just so happens that there is a slight crack in my front arch that aligns with the large crack in the back.
The first brick to fall was in the same line.
I built my oven on a pre-existing patio.
I didn't reinforce it. (3.5 concrete slab)
My best guess is that is settled, (lots of clay in the area that shifts) And caused the crack which gave room for the brick to work it's way out. The other two fell, because I failed to fix the first one.... (I was procrastinating while I thought about a fix... after the next 2 fell. I had to get busy)
I could be completely wrong, but that's my best guess.
The dome still held up fine and it had been resting on the back of that arch.
So, for awhile, part of the dome had no support from below.
After the repair I finally got started on the finish.
Previously I had built a screen "dome" around my brick dome.
I left about a 6-8 inch area in between.
Then I filled it with perlcrete/verm. My idea: I wanted to keep the look of the dome, but I wanted to having the higher (I assume) insulating value of dry vermiculite as compared to the cement mixture.
I now plan to cover the screen with chicken wire, followed my several inches of mortar, and then stucco.
But for now, I've just managed to start on the chimney.
I wanted to increase the mass of the chimney (lightweight galvanized metal), so I wrapped it in chicken wire and coated it with about an inch of high heat mortar. (I'm hoping it will help the draw) I think it improved the look... anyways.
I plan on covering the entry and chimney with perlcrete later.
But here are pics of the beginning of the process.
After inserting the metal arch. I replaced the missing bricks and squirted high heat mortar in the gaps. I also added quite a bit to the same area on the outside of the dome.... (it had a recess in that area)
Then I covered the metal with high temp mortar.
I plan on slicing slabs of brick and "tiling" over the whole mess because I prefer the look of the brick and mortar in that area.
(In my own defense.........I have done several projects at home completely unrelated to my WFO)
But...
An update.
I've been firing the oven for months! I absolutely love it.
Pizza, Brisket, Turkey, Mushrooms, Steaks...
Bread, Pitas.. Cakes... and even marshmallows.
They all come out wonderful.
And speaking of coming out (No.. Not me!) A couple of my bricks came out from my inner arch. I finally fixed them and wanted to post some pics of the repair.
All is not always good in WFO land. (although I like to think so)
Dave, I tried your technique with the pizza dough last weekend. Not very hard to do and great results! Long wool sweater sleeves and dough are not good companions though.
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