How do you fill a gap between a wall and a fireplace?

If the assumption are right and the gap is 3/4 inch wide, I would use a caulking backer in the gap before using a good grade painter’s or acrylic caulk as a topper. The caulking backer is a round foam solid tube that can be cut to length, inserted into the gap to seal it and hold the caulk.

How do you fix a loose brick fireplace?

Mix up some Type N mortar in a bucket with some water using the trowel until the mortar is an oatmeal consistency. Scoop out some mortar with the trowel and lay it flat on the hole where the old brick used to be. Smooth it out with the trowel. Fill the head joints or back butter the bricks with mortar.

How do you repair brick fireplace mortar?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And 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.

What is behind the brick on a fireplace?

The brick you see on the fireplace is a facade. It is attached to the firebox by mortar. You’ll be able to clean up the brick behind the facade and cover them with a new flat mortar bed to install the tile or marble.

Are brick fireplaces load-bearing?

A load-bearing wall is important for the structural support of a home, so before you take a sledgehammer to the fireplace brick, pause to read this article first. A fireplace is generally load-bearing when it’s positioned against or inside the exterior walls. They function as structural support here.

What is the wall behind a fireplace called?

Nowadays we tend to refer to the mantel and mantel shelf as simply, the mantelpiece. It originated in medieval times when firepits started to be built into a homes living areas to help keep everyone warm (the mantel served as a hood that would prevent smoke from entering the room, diverting it back into the chimney).

Is a wall with a fireplace load-bearing?

Most people with experience could usually tell whether the fireplace is load-bearing or not. But, if you’re a newbie when it comes to renovation, you could check the wall of the fireplace above and below. If there is a wall on top of it and that wall supports another level of your house, that’s a load-bearing wall.

How much does it cost to to take out a brick fireplace?

Unfortunately, taking out a brick fireplace and chimney, especially on a potentially load-bearing wall, is no small task. You’re looking at a minimum of $10,000 for that kind of work. It’ll be a big task, involving at least a couple of dumpster loads of waste and a week or more of work in your house.

Are brick chimneys structural?

A majority of chimneys are independently supported and are not structural to the walls or roof. However, it isn’t uncommon for chimneys to be in the middle of a home or stretch from the foundation, through multiple stories, and out the roof.

Are chimney breasts load-bearing?

When you take out a chimney breast, you are also removing an important load-bearing wall. Because of this, you will need to ensure the structural integrity of your building isn’t put at risk – which means you need expert guidance and approval from your council to be certain the job is done safely.

Does removing a chimney devalue a house?

They offer a traditional and cosy feel that’s attractive to many homebuyers. Therefore, if you remove your chimney, you’re likely to remove what many consider an asset. This will result in your home’s value decreasing.

How do you support a chimney stack?

Providing the right structural support for chimney stacks



Such replacement work is usually carried out by the building-in of what is known as a gallows bracket, which is essentially two metal angle supports fixed to the brickwork, often with a concrete lintel spanning between them.

How do I strengthen my chimney?

REINFORCING NEW CHIMNEYS Three methods of reinforcement can be used to help ensure the structural stability of new chimneys; vertical reinforcement grouted inside the chimney, horizontal reinforcement placed in the mortar bed, and anchor straps securing the chimney to the building’s frame.

How do I know if chimney is supported?

You need to remove part of your ceiling below the remaining stack, and check that you have steel beams supporting the stack. As you say you have a crack in the wall, and theres no visible support you should get a s/e to calculate the beam.