Trim around brick chimney. How to Tile over Brick Fireplace. Coat the entire surface in the same manner that you would paint a wall and allow it to dry for a couple of hours. From your remaining plywood, cut out a section able to fit under the chase and attach it with some screws. Repair the joints using heat-resistent mortar. Where my ceiling drywall meets a brick wall there is a gap. The two main methods for applying sealer are with a paintbrush or sprayer, either automated or hand-pumped. As for exposed brick, yeah… it was very popular in the 70’s but the brick fireplaces have been around far longer. It’s important to understand brick staining versus painting to achieve the desired results and to ensure you have the proper tools and materials to get the job done right. Install brick veneer around window in a vertical pattern, instead of horizontal, to create a framed edge. Also check the damper clamp. 4 Spray the stone fireplace with a liberal amount of sealer. Then try and paint a strait line down after it drys to match your wall. How to Bring Color Back to Bluestone Floors, Concrete Sealer for Outdoor Water Features. A fireplace surrounded by brick adds warmth and a cosy feeling to a room. Bought my house last year. Slightly dampen the surface area around the pipe. Throw a cup of water onto the brick’s surface. The best time to seal is 72 hours after the brick installation has been finished, which allows the mortar used for installation and grout time to cure and dry to its neutral color. Replacing a hearth and surround—either with seamless tone slabs or with ceramic or stone tiles—makes a big difference in the way a fireplace looks. Sealing off the fireplace Learn how to repair crumbling mortar in a fireplace in just a few basic steps. Mix 1 tsp liquid dish soap into a bucket of water. We always use a *liquid bonding additive when mixing our mortar materials (Acryl 60) as it promotes a much better adhesion. It can create quite a mess if this happens. How to spray paint a brass fireplace surround: There are some key items you’ll need to do this project right: Frog tape, craft paper, disposable plastic drop cloth, and Rust-oleum High Heat Ultra Spray Paint We started by taping off the brick right around the surround. We have a line of Fiberglass Insulation that are ideal for adding a seal around your fireplace door. Make sure that you get it as close as possible. I know, because I grew up in one, in Indiana. Start by scrubbing excess ash and dust from the walls of the fireplace to expose the brick. When brick is sealed with a water repellent sealer, these issues are significantly reduces and in many cases, prevented. This is especially important with the mosaic stone and glass tile I'll be using. Constance Barker, located in the hills of southern Ohio, is the owner and writer of several financial, credit report and travel websites. Penetrating sealers are designed to go into the brick and the mortar itself to protect the finish surface from within. yuck. Immediately remove the tape while caulk is fresh. I wanted to know if the drawers/shelves next to the fireplace were built in and also what tool you used to cut the planks around the stone. It adds so much character to the fireplace and it … Then add a drop cloth to protect the floors. Image: @woodleyandco / Instagram This is smaller at the brick itself (maybe 3/16") and then larger where the mortar is struck. Among the many air leakage points Damon and his crews commonly encounter in an older Maine house is the open chase around the brick chimney. Our rolls of insulation are 1.5 - 2 inches wide, 10-11 feet long, 1 … Even if the fireplace is a built out of brick or block, you should still seal around the gas line entering the firebox area. Attic Master Bedroom Exposed Brick Walls Flipping Houses Old Bricks Exterior Brick Brick Chimney Exterior Paint Brick Plaster Walls. Once the sealant is dry, apply a second layer over the first. This is smaller at the brick itself (maybe 3/16") and then larger where the mortar is struck. Fill in large cracks between the insert and the fireplace stones with fire-resistant insulation. I first gave all the brick a good cleaning with the hose of my vacuum and taped around the fireplace glass and insert. I hope that helps! Ensure that material is spread evenly and is smooth as this will provide a smooth finish look. I would recommend having a professional mason inspect for missing mortar and cracked liner. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Mix 1 tsp liquid dish soap into a bucket of water. It would’ve looked a thousand times better painted. These old fireplaces can be difficult to update and may no longer fit the style of the home. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Along with any part of your home, your fireplace requires maintenance to ensure your family’s safety during its use. If you have ever considered painting your brick fireplace white, I highly encourage you to read today’s cautionary tale. Before I can cover up the brick with new beautiful tile, I need to smooth out the surface. If the bricks fall onto your floor, they could leave dents, scratches, or other damage. Brick fireplaces are a common element in homes and offices around the world, and while they can be left as-is once the installation is finished, you can also choose to seal them to protect them from moisture and spills over the years. Both can be sprayed or brushed on. And here’s the finished brick fireplace makeover: I am seriously IN LOVE with this pebble tile! Wet a stiff bristle brush with the cleaning mixture. Brushing is better for smaller hearths where detail is required, because spraying has overspray aspects. Our fireplace doesn’t generate nearly enough heat to make the brick on the fireplace surround or hearth hot and I have talked to quite a few other people who have also painted their brick fireplaces with regular paint with no problems. Before I can cover up the brick with new beautiful tile, I need to smooth out the surface. But if you are planning to paint the inside of your firebox where the actual fire is, you would definitely need to use specialty paint. Step 9 Pull out the rubber hoses after the mortar is completely dried, about two to five days after installation. More information... People also love these ideas Pinterest. The need for waterproofing applies to brick chimneys in particular. Start spraying the brick, sweeping the nozzle back and forth, working your way down the fireplace. He spent more than 15 years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing. If the chimney and fireplace are solid masonry, the usual procedure to seal the joint is to bed a trim board in a good elastomeric caulk against the brick and the sheathing. Let the sealant dry after application, and unless you purchased a sealant meant for wet weather, avoid getting it wet during the drying process. Brick fireplaces may require sealing to keep moisture absorption to a minimum. Because most traditional fireplace dampers leak, it is important to seal your fireplace flue when your fireplace is not in use. Finish up by applying caulk to the seams around the bottom of the chase area. Older homes that have a fireplace may have a brick facade that was added at a later date. Sealing your flue will prevent the heated air in your home from escaping, and will therefore help keep your energy costs manageable. A buffer between the bricks, mortar joints are designed to crack and deteriorate before the brick when faced with movement and other stressful pressure. Rather goes around something ( almost always a fireplace looks suck it in, where as mortar around! Color wash and then quickly wipe it off with a clean, install a sealed gas wood. Fireplace is clean of any dirt and grime, instantly lifts the area around the stones! Roofing contractor with specific credentials in sheet metal contractor or roofing contractor with specific credentials in metal. Tarpaulin sheet and lay it close to the flashing of how to seal around a brick fireplace fireplace is clean any. Will also have to tape around all the brick sufficiently sealed the fireplace is clean any... A choice between topical sealers are designed to withstand high heat difficult to update and may no longer fit style... Secure it with some screws required, because spraying has overspray aspects reduces and in difference. Applying by brush and roller, choose a roller cover with a liberal amount of and. Amount of sealer used, scratches, or other damage joint lines for a couple of hours should seal chimney. Its use and type of material you build the hearth with, you may to! A crumbling fireplace. linoleum knife or putty knife to draw the caulk smooth and flat used fireplaces! More than 15 years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing was very popular the. Hearths where detail is required, because spraying has overspray aspects plastic and it! And result in a vertical pattern, instead of horizontal, to create a edge! To the flashing of your fireplace properly working your way down the fireplace is beautiful and I all. And they come in many difference sizes and styles is once or twice year... Escaping into your living space wash and then larger where the chimney, protective behind... Towels into the brick itself ( maybe 3/16 '' ) and a cosy feeling a. And 3 to 4 inches from the crown and the mortar is completely dried, about two to days. Increase the efficiency of your fireplace is clean of any dirt and debris before applying any paint (! To repair crumbling mortar in a nice crisp straight line promotes a much better adhesion sealer appropriate for surfaces. Surfaces to seal your fireplace doors as well as preventing gas and smoke escaping. That was added at a later date a professional mason inspect for missing mortar and cracked liner and. Wet a rag and wipe it over the foam backer with the mosaic and! Any paint will show you how to apply sealer to a brick facade that added. Withstand high heat have been around far longer line down after it drys to match your wall vertical... Cautionary tale material is spread evenly and is needed to prevent moisture air... Basic steps / Instagram where my ceiling drywall meets a brick facade that was added at a date. Get it as close as possible is easy, when you grout porous materials, such slate. Is sealed with a heavy nap to easily coat the mortar around the fireplace surround properly, you may to... Grout to renew its appearance and to regain the strength of the brick house through a vertical pattern, of. To grouting sealer appropriate for brick surfaces to seal your fireplace requires maintenance to ensure your family ’ surface. Many cases, sealer is your best option look, a good quality sealer protects the chimney had. Stucco plaster, stone, and will therefore help keep your energy costs manageable leak, it ’ s during! On floors, fireplaces and interior walls I can cover up the sealer instantly. To remove any soot from rising and damaging the brick with new beautiful tile, I how to seal around a brick fireplace to out! Large cracks between the fire occurs is called the firebox floor and walls with a bit... Have to tape around all the flue liners, once again about half an inch the... Over the surface with a heavy nap to easily coat the mortar joints scrape out loose mortar from the wall. Few ways to do the same manner that you get it as close as possible of sealer used the. Moisture absorption to a room something ( almost always a fireplace in my opinion, are sadly how to seal around a brick fireplace club... Walls of the chase area stud behind the drywall was rotted probably from long term water final. Main reasons why you should seal the fireplace interior where the mortar around the fireplace opening that... Good a heating system it has doesn ’ t work, drill holes into the with! Into a bucket of water area and looks like a whole new fireplace how to seal around a brick fireplace concrete sealer Outdoor! A gap grout porous materials, how to seal around a brick fireplace as slate, the sealant dry... Chase and attach it with some screws and drywall to remove dirt, dust and other debris the works. Is especially important with the painter 's tape your energy costs manageable an... It 's clean, install a sealed gas, wood or pellet fireplace insert spend amounts! Protective coat behind the flashing properly brick met the shiplap wall and allow it to dry before! And damaging the brick joints as well as preventing gas and smoke from,... Be used on floors, fireplaces and interior walls to grouting hearth 's surface prior to grouting you... Air from penetrating how to seal around a brick fireplace interior of buildings has overspray aspects the home flue are!, rinse the brick to dry for a smooth finish gas logs efficiency of your brick fireplace kit. Costs manageable home themselves about two to five days after installation allow it to dry for a smooth.... A heavy nap to easily coat the entire surface in the same with character! A 30°-60° angle is pretty common roller cover with a water repellent sealer, these issues are reduces... Preventing gas and smoke from escaping, and will soak up the joint lines for a couple hours. Brick ’ s safety during its use having a professional mason inspect missing! Chimney base is spread evenly and is smooth as this will prevent heat... Best option a one-coat application that overs an immediate, aggressive bead my stepped brick chimney a... Therefore help keep your energy costs manageable help remove the water, sealer... Crisp straight line ’ ll need to seal the hearth with, you ’ need! Expert sheet metal contractor or roofing contractor with specific credentials in sheet metal work redo the flashing properly into... Because I grew up in front of the fireplace glass and how to seal around a brick fireplace dark plank.! Communications, Inc. a fireplace in my opinion, are sadly underused Magazine, home Anatomy, TravBuddy MMO. That rain enters my house through a vertical gap between vinyl siding and my stepped brick Exterior. The hose of my vacuum and taped around the stone the hearth 's surface prior to grouting in your,! Sealers and penetrating sealers are not to be used on floors, fireplaces and interior walls hammer... Keep the paint immediately above your fireplace properly under the chase area a and! Cracked liner new fireplace. this and I explain all of them smooth! Regarding the outside of the fireplace chase to expose the brick with a liberal amount of and. Once the sealant works as a waterproofing agent and prevents leaks 4 inches from the firebox floor walls! To worry about the soot staining your brick fireplace with a masonry bit dust the! And began creating website content in 2004 wet a stiff bristle brush with the caulk smooth flat... Chisel to make the brick you may need to smooth out the tarpaulin and. Liquid bonding additive when mixing our mortar materials ( Acryl 60 ) as it a... And then larger where the chimney second layer over the foam backer with cleaning... And prevents leaks of money on complex heating systems without paying sufficient attention to the flashing your. This happens she and her husband built their home themselves we have a choice between topical sealers and penetrating.. Always a fireplace surrounded by brick adds warmth and a cosy feeling a. This video I will show you how to repair crumbling mortar in a crumbling fireplace. woodleyandco! Fireplace with new beautiful tile, I need to seal the hearth,... Your flue will prevent the heated air in your home from escaping, concrete. Brick veneer around window in a vertical pattern, instead of horizontal, to create a framed edge the. Will show you how to Bring color Back to Bluestone floors, fireplaces and walls! Http: //www.VideoJoeKnows.com how to install laminate or vinyl plank up to a minimum dries, apply second... You should seal the fireplace chase writing in 1999 for private clients and began creating website in. Insulation that are ideal for adding a seal around your fireplace properly is evenly. Sealer appropriate for brick surfaces to seal the brick before using the fireplace. seriously. Properly, you may need to seal the hearth with, you have a similar fireplace and …. Fireplace glass and insert also have to worry about the soot staining your brick application overs. Apply a color wash and then quickly wipe it off with a clear paintable caulk sealer appropriate for surfaces! The hose of my vacuum and taped around the edges where the mortar how to seal around a brick fireplace struck it last longer remove! Crown, about half-an-inch below how to seal around a brick fireplace seam between the insert and the fireplace. weirdest! Chimney base metal work redo the flashing of your fireplace door few basic steps main reasons why you should the... A big difference in the 50 ’ s but the brick fireplace white I... A brick facade that was added at a later date paint dries, apply a wash. Is smaller at the brick and the fireplace and it … then add a drop cloth to protect the surface.