Fireplace in master bedroom
(white on both sides are shades)
This fireplace once had a mantel as evidenced in drill holes
used to hold the mantel.
(Most likely, earlier owners had sold off pieces of the house.)
The floor in front is covered by a black blanket.
Bricks and Portland cement mortar were falling off in chunks.
The Portland cement was chewing up the historic bricks and the wall was in
danger of caving.
(Left picture has a cement plug, click on it and you can see how it has
destroyed the bricks.)
Even worse, this was the main flu for the furnace. If the flu lost
integrity, there was a chance of CarbionMonoxide filling the bedroom.
First the old Portland cement mortar had to be removed.
Then tuckpointed with lime mortar putty.
Cured and then sealed.
Then inspected in detail by SantaPaws.
Preparing the fireplace*
Hearth and drywall
The basics
The trim and flue damper installed
Staining the fireplace to match the historical woodwork in the room.
It's now a working wood burning fireplace.
Unfortunately the dog has found it the perfect place to curl up in.
(Damn Dog)
Fireplace by Wion Works
Hearth by Cornerstone Granite
*Funny Story:
In preparation for the hearth I removed the loose bricks and cracked mortar with
a crowbar and sledge hammer.
Then I put a piece of cement board for the hearth to rest on.
Turns out the hearth was thicker than I thought and the cement board had to be
ripped out; once again with crowbar and sledge hammer.