Cast iron fireplace surround install

[bobdabuilda]

I want to replace the existing wooden fire surround in our 96 built bryant property and have a few questions if someone would be kind enough to help?

The existing wooden surround removal was simple but I found that the cast iron insert was not attached to the wall securely and literally just came away from it when the surround was removed. It looks like it had been attached with fire cement and also has a large lump of fibreglass insulation in the centrepoint where it attaches to the wall. It also took part of the cement lining of the fire recess with it. The walls are drylined and there is a halo of fire cement around the hole where the living flame gas fire sits.

Should I just try to reattach it to the wall with fire cement leaving the piece of rockwool where it was or is there a better way of doing it?

TIA

 

[Lower]

The surround held it to the wall and that's the way its meant to be attached.

There needs to be room for it to expand and contract as it heats up and cools so its only clamped in place by the surround.

Just put it back as you found it.

 

[bobdabuilda]

Sorry that's not how it was attached. As I said in my post it was bonded to the wall, here as some pics to aid my description...

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• bobdabuilda
• 12 Dec 2010
• 2

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• bobdabuilda
• 12 Dec 2010
• 2

 

[bobdabuilda]

Also what mix of mortar do you lay a slate hearth on? I recall reading somewhere that a 3:1 lime mortar with 5%cement would be ideal as you need something fairly soft to prevent damage to the hearth when replacing etc. The existing mix was very loose,dry and sandy as shown in the pics.

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• bobdabuilda
• 12 Dec 2010
• 1

Untitled

• bobdabuilda
• 12 Dec 2010
• 1

 

[bobdabuilda]

hmm all these views and no help....v odd