Help - Fix now or wait????

[thebadger]

Gang,

It's been a while since I've done any active posting - too busy making pizzas. Anyway noticed that my inside arch has "fallen" (not worried about the decorative outer arch) about 1/8" - 1/4". So far it doesn't seem worse. Given I'm just starting the season I would really like to use it until it get's worse... So far I haven't lost any bricks just a section of arch has slipped down.

Let me know your thoughts. I'm guessing I'll have to dig out and rebuild.

Thanks
Dick
aka thebadger

[dmun]

My door arches, both inside and outside, got significant cracks. No one likes to see that, but unless bricks are wiggling loose, I'd leave it be.

[Les]

I totally agree with David on this - let it be. A while back someone did have a brick fall - I think the fix was to grind some indents on the side of the bricks ( to make a fake core) and slide it back in with mortar. In your situation, I don't see how it can slip much more. Keep cooking until you have a real problem.

Les...

[james]

I think gravity is on your side.
James

[Neil2]

Look for signs of "spreading" at the the ends of the arch. If not, just leave it alone.

[100million]

How old is your oven?

[brickie in oz]

If there is enough side thrust on the arch it should be fine, arches are by design self supporting.

[thebadger]

The oven is just over 2 years old. Actually I'm not that concerned about cracks/shifting as I knw that happens. My concern is the arch is supporting about 8 ft of Duravent Chimney... Always a concern in the back of my mind since I've never build an arch before...

I think I'll just wait it out. If it does "collpase" I can rebuild .

Thanks
Dick

You can see pics under "thebadger build"
Any other thoughts would be appreciated.