Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    jiminoakville's Avatar
    jiminoakville Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 3, 2008, 09:03 PM
    Type of mortar to use and Thickness permissible
    Hi,
    I am working on refacing my brick fireplace. I have removed the old hearth and bricks under it. I need to build up the surface under the fireplace opening which is currently jagged bricks and old mortar. I will make a new hearth at floor level so I am concerned now about the area between the floor and the firebox which will be about 8 or 9 inches high and about 5 feet wide. I need to build up a smooth flat surface for the new layer of tiles or stone, in some places to a thickness of say an inch and a half. What type of mortar can I use and can I apply it all at once? Can I use modified thinset? I am not in a big hurry so I can apply several layers if necessary. What do you recommend? The original bricklayer who built the fireplace used very thick mortar in some places so I'm hoping I can do something similar. Thanks for any suggestions.
    harlysdream66's Avatar
    harlysdream66 Posts: 29, Reputation: 3
    New Member
     
    #2

    Jan 3, 2008, 09:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by jiminoakville
    Hi,
    I am working on refacing my brick fireplace. I have removed the old hearth and bricks under it. I need to build up the surface under the fireplace opening which is currently jagged bricks and old mortar. I will make a new hearth at floor level so I am concerned now about the area between the floor and the firebox which will be about 8 or 9 inches high and about 5 feet wide. I need to build up a smooth flat surface for the new layer of tiles or stone, in some places to a thickness of say an inch and a half. What type of mortar can I use and can I apply it all at once? Can I use modified thinset? I am not in a big hurry so I can apply several layers if necessary. What do you recommend? The original bricklayer who built the fireplace used very thick mortar in some places so I'm hoping I can do something similar. Thanks for any suggestions.
    Hey you need ,to use , the mesh to hold the cement ,in place , skim coat it, then a second coat, then the top coat , use a 3/ 1 mix ,but because it fire place , don't over do the thickness, or it will crack... when it wet use a sponge to smooth it out...
    jiminoakville's Avatar
    jiminoakville Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Jan 4, 2008, 08:16 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by harlysdream66
    hey you need ,to use , the mesh to hold the cement ,in place , skim coat it, then a second coat, then the top coat , use a 3/ 1 mix ,but because it fire place , dont over do the thickness, or it will crack .... when it wet use a sponge to smooth it out ...
    Thanks for the reply.
    Could you explain a bit further?
    Do you mean a 3:1 mix of mortar and water? Or do you mean something like ready to mix concrete?
    If you mean mortar, what type of mortar do you advise?
    Can I use modified thinset rather than concrete?

    Again, thanks.
    Jim
    harlysdream66's Avatar
    harlysdream66 Posts: 29, Reputation: 3
    New Member
     
    #4

    Jan 4, 2008, 11:36 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by harlysdream66
    hey you need ,to use , the mesh to hold the cement ,in place , skim coat it, then a second coat, then the top coat , use a 3/ 1 mix ,but because it fire place , dont over do the thickness, or it will crack .... when it wet use a sponge to smooth it out ...
    Ok try this , you building up the where the floor tiles are going?
    Build a frame, then you can use 3/8 ready mixed concrete, comes in 80lb sacks
    Very easy .mix it up , pour it in , level it off.
    I would not use ,thin set , as it very near the heat of the fire. So stick with your concrete, a smooth ,frame work will be much better to work with , easy to tile too

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Laminate floor thickness? [ 1 Answers ]

I'm planning on installing laminate flooring on the second floor of my house. What laminate floor thickness should I be looking for? There's tons of deals on 7mm thick laminate, but I've been advised to buy 8mm and up only.

Thickness of Hardwood Flooring [ 1 Answers ]

I want to use Bellawood on my kitchen floor when I remodel it. I'm going to scrape up all the old tile down to the subfloor which is plywood. I was originally looking at 3/4" wood flooring, but this morning I recieved an Email from Lumber Liquidators (Same place I plan on buying anyway) stating...

Hair Thickness [ 3 Answers ]

Hey, I used to have quite thick hair until I started dying it black (for an ex who loved dark hair) and as time went by I kept dying it myself however instead of just doing my roots I would foolishly empty the whole bottle of dye onto my head and it just got thinner and thinner, along with letting...

What type of mortar to set a tub? [ 2 Answers ]

What type for mortar does one buy to set a plastic tub into to make it a bit more solid underfoot? This would be on top of a plywood subfloor. Thanks

What type of mortar for setting a tub? [ 2 Answers ]

What type for mortar does one buy to set a plastic tub into to make it a bit more solid underfoot? This would be on top of a plywood subfloor. Thanks?


View more questions Search