Instructions
- Remove the Loose Mortar. Remove the fire grate from the fireplace and use a fireplace brush and dustpan to sweep out the firebox.
- Clean the Mortar Joints. Clean out the mortar joints by sucking out the debris with the shop vacuum or blowing it out with a can of compressed air.
- Fill the Joints With Caulk. ...
- Smooth the Caulked Joints. ...
- Cure the Caulk. ...
How to reface a fireplace with concrete?
Steps:
- Brush the concrete bonding agent onto the bricks, this will help the stucco adhere to the brick. Allow it to dry at least 30 minutes.
- Either purchase ready-made stucco, or mix concrete and sand together to make your own. ...
- With a notched trowel, run a series of grooves in the first coat of stucco. ...
How can I repair my fireplace?
- A fireplace insert is way less expensive than a fireplace repair
- A fireplace insert burns more efficiently than the traditional fireplace
- A fireplace insert will allow the heat to stay inside your home rather than going up the chimney
- Since your fireplace will add heat, then your heating bills will be reduced
What is the best mortar for a fireplace?
- Refractory mortar that is ideal for joining or repairing masonry flue tile in any gas or wood fireplace and wood, coal, or pellet stove chimney
- Can be used as a parge coating (thin over-coat) when building or repairing fireboxes
- Dry mix cement, just add water and trowel into place
- Dark grey finish
- For interior use, rated up to 2550°F (1400°C)
Can you use concrete in a fireplace?
You can use ordinary concrete and cement mortars in the casing (outer 3-4") of the heater, just not in the firebox area. Click to see full answer. Just so, can I use normal cement in a fireplace? Most mortar is fireproof to some extent. The materials of clay, cement, lime and sand are naturally resistant to fire and heat.
How do you repair a concrete fireplace?
0:203:21how to fix firebox crack, cracked fireplace, fireplace repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStore just a heads up all right so we've got this vacuumed out but it says that we need to wipe itMoreStore just a heads up all right so we've got this vacuumed out but it says that we need to wipe it with a wet sponge. So we're just gonna kind of get all the dust off of it.
How do you repair a masonry fireplace?
1:021:49Repairing Fireplace Mortar - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd work that mortar into the joint there. And smooth it out. And then you can always come back withMoreAnd work that mortar into the joint there. And smooth it out. And then you can always come back with a wet rag. And kind of smooth out the edges if you need to make a nice little mortar joint.
Will a cement fireplace crack?
Concrete fireplaces and fire pits should be constructed carefully. When exposed directly to high amounts of heat, the moisture trapped inside concrete can expand and cause the concrete to crack and in extreme situations, explode.
Is there a special cement for fireplaces?
QUIKRETE® Fireplace Mortar (No. 8620-21) is a silicate based refractory cement caulk for tuck-pointing damaged fireplace mortar joints and repairing cracked or chipped firebricks in fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.
Do you need special mortar for fireplaces?
The mortar in most brick joints consists of sand, lime, and portland cement. But in a fireplace, that mix just crumbles away when subjected to roaring wood fires. For this application, masons rely on a refractory mortar made of magnesium silicate, which can withstand heat up to 2,000 degrees F.
How do you repair cracked fireplace mortar?
1:323:07How To Fix Cracked Mortar or Concrete in a Fireplace with Mor-flexxYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd recess the backer rod three-eighths of an inch to half an inch below the surface cut the nozzleMoreAnd recess the backer rod three-eighths of an inch to half an inch below the surface cut the nozzle to the bead size you need and load the caulking gun gun more flex into the joint.
Can you paint over fire cement?
Hi. As this is cement it will crack eventually, as mine has. It is a good black colour but if you decide to change the colour you would need to use a heat resistant paint. 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Can a cracked fireplace be repaired?
Pros can repair many fireplace cracks if you catch the issue early enough, but you may need to replace portions of your fireplace or, in some cases, the entire fireplace.
Does fire cement go hard?
Any application of fire cement offers exceptionally tight joints to smoke and fumes. Upon exposure to intense heat, the cement becomes hard and seals up cracks. Powerful adhesive properties even at drastically high temperatures.
Which cement is best for fireplace?
I prefer ordinary Portland cement, more reliable than lime. Careful not to make it too strong tho or you will get cracking 6:1 is about right depending on type of stone (mortar should be weaker than the stone). Make the mix dry as wet cement will stain the stones and ruin the look.
What glue can I use on a fireplace?
Vitcas PVA, HT Boards Adhesive Sealer, is used on surfaces, tiles and fire boards prior to the application of Vitcas® Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive, Heat Resistant Plaster and Fireplace Render.
What is the best cement for high heat?
Calcium Aluminate cement and Lime will work the best as the cement in hot cooking conditions- This applies to refractory concrete as well as to heat resistant mortars.
An old, ugly fireplace gets a complete budget friendly makeover. Come get the tutorial for this DIY Concrete Fireplace Makeover!
This post has been a long time coming. We completely redid our fireplace last fall and I never actually shared the tutorial.
Brick Fireplace BEFORE
One of the biggest issues I had with this fireplace was the lack of symmetry. The random beam on one side. It just seriously messed with what OCD I do have. I remember a lot of people were sad I was covering up the original brick, but it wasn’t pretty brick.
Framing out a fireplace for a faux concrete finish
Cleaning is always the number one thing when you start projects, therefore you want to make sure your surfaces start off clean! After that we started the framing. We wanted to center up the mantel and hide the beam. We also wanted the fireplace to sit flush up against the built-ins. The framing will really depend on your specific situation.
Framing for Shiplap over Brick Fireplace
After we got the framing in place for the concrete portion of the fireplace we moved in to the top section where I wanted vertical shiplap. Our brick wasn’t level so you’ll see we had to use a vertical shim to get everything to be placed correctly. Then we attached horizontal board across the brick to give us something to nail the shiplap into.
Painting Shiplap Above a Fireplace
This step could really be at the end, but I was impatient and trying to decide on a color so I went ahead and rolled on a coat.
Install Cement Board on Framing
Next up we will begin installing the cement board. Begin by cutting each piece to size using a utility knife to score and snap the board. Install the cement board to cover all surfaces.
Add Mesh Tape and Corner Bead to Cement Board
Now it’s time to hide those seams. Using the mesh tape meant specifically for cement board, apply it directly over all seams.
Why do chimney sweeps inspect fireplaces?
A chimney sweep inspect your fireplace and chimney so that breaches in the safety of the unit are identified and repaired. That is the main purpose of the inspection. However, a professional is not always needed to know that the firebox is beyond simple repair. If you notice that the bricks in the firebox are crumbling and you see ...
What are the benefits of a fireplace insert?
Not only will you achieve a new look with the fireplace insert, but you will also gain practical benefits such as: A fireplace insert will allow the heat to stay inside your home rather than going up the chimney.
Is a fireplace insert more expensive than a fireplace?
A fireplace insert is way less expensive than a fireplace repair. A fireplace insert burns more efficiently than the traditional fireplace. A fireplace insert will allow the heat to stay inside your home rather than going up the chimney. Since your fireplace will add heat, then your heating bills will be reduced.
Can you switch from tile to brick?
You can switch from tiles to bricks, or vice versa. Tiles come in many different colors and patterns, and they are easy to install. Achieving complete fireplace revitalization can be accomplished through changing the outer hearth.
Can you replace a fireplace with a floor to ceiling look?
If you think that your fireplace looks horribly outdated, don’t worry, you don’t have to be stuck with it . It is so easy to replace the entire floor to ceiling look of the fireplace. A simple change in the design can make your fireplace a centerpiece in your home. You will soon take great delight in your fireplace.
Can you use a fireplace without a sound box?
You may be informed one day that you will have to repair your firebox. A professional chimney sweep will tell you how unsafe it is to use a fireplace without a sound firebox. You will have to take immediate action. Although this might seem like bad news, it has a good side: repairing your firebox is a great opportunity to update your fireplace’s ...
What are the components of a fireplace?
There are three main components to your fireplace; the firebox itself (Modular, Masonry or Metal), the damper / chimney system and the fire brick liner. Fire bricks absorb heat, providing a buffer between the fire and the firebox, maintaining a high temperature and preventing damage to the wall behind a fireplace.
Can fire bricks fall out?
Fire brick mortar and/or fire bricks can become damaged after years of use which can cause a fire brick to fall out or crack. A cracked or damaged fire brick can be a potential fire hazard and should be repaired or replaced before using the fireplace again.
How long does it take to remove mortar from a joint?
Use the flat side of the clean trowel to remove the excess mortar from the newly mortared joints. Let the mortar set for at least 30 minutes. Sweep the mortar with a wire brush for a worn-in look.
How to clean chisel?
Use a wire brush to scrub the chiseled area. Remove any debris and dust from your chiseling work. Scrubbing flattens the surface, and preps the wall for filling in new mortar.
