Hi all,
Two questions regarding a fireplace/hearth renovation. Firstly, upon removing blown plaster we found this cracked lintel above the fireplace (1950's semi) where the Rayburn used to live. It's 160mm high x 70mm wide x 1400mm long, bricks above it are all intact but several sound slightly loose when you tap them (best described as a dull thud rather than a nice ring) and there were some cracks in the plaster. I'd prefer to leave this lintel in place but wondered if it's sensible to install another one a few bricks below it as a backup? We have plenty height available and I figured it would also make installing the register plate easier?
Second question, the hearth is not quite square/symmetrical to an annoying degree. I'm planning to line it with Hardiebacker/similar board (I'm no good at rendering/plastering), what's the easiest way to add about 20mm thickness to one side of the hearth and 0-40mm over the width of the hearth (1m)?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Two questions regarding a fireplace/hearth renovation. Firstly, upon removing blown plaster we found this cracked lintel above the fireplace (1950's semi) where the Rayburn used to live. It's 160mm high x 70mm wide x 1400mm long, bricks above it are all intact but several sound slightly loose when you tap them (best described as a dull thud rather than a nice ring) and there were some cracks in the plaster. I'd prefer to leave this lintel in place but wondered if it's sensible to install another one a few bricks below it as a backup? We have plenty height available and I figured it would also make installing the register plate easier?
Second question, the hearth is not quite square/symmetrical to an annoying degree. I'm planning to line it with Hardiebacker/similar board (I'm no good at rendering/plastering), what's the easiest way to add about 20mm thickness to one side of the hearth and 0-40mm over the width of the hearth (1m)?
Thanks in advance for your help!