It is often very stressful and disappointing to have cracks and chips in your kiln’s bricks, or to have an element come loose. But not to worry - these issues are easily fixable - and most of the time these fixes can be done on your own, with tools that you probably already have!
While sometimes it is necessary to have a professional come in and assess problems with your kiln, it is often possible for you to make repairs on your own. Kiln brick cracks and chips can be filled in and fixed with products such as brick filler and kiln cement. Loosened elements can be fastened back into place with element staples. Leaky spots in your kiln - such as a missing peep plug - can be filled with a number of refractory materials. And kiln shelves can be cleaned and sanded with grinding bricks to remove any chipped kiln wash or glazes.
A number of kiln maintenance products will help you to prevent damage and prolong the life of your kiln. Kiln sealants can be applied to the interior of the kiln to prevent dust from the bricks from falling off into your firings. Some of these also work to enhance insulation within the kiln, thereby allowing for more accurate firings and energy efficiency. Additionally, stainless steel polish is available to help keep your kiln shiny and looking like new.
It is important when you are repairing a kiln to make sure you are using the proper materials. Here at The Ceramic Shop, we have made sure that you will find everything you need to keep your kiln looking and acting like new! If you are not sure of the problem, please contact our "Kiln Inspection 101 Manual" to walk you through the steps of troubleshooting your kiln's issue.