Search results

Thanks! Will try that. I now have some muriatc (hydrochloric) acid too so will carefully try cleaning the lumps of stuck cement with that. I was in Pret a Manger today and they have their distinctive exposed brick walls. All newly built of course but made with old worn bricks and looks...

Thanks! Will try a flap wheel. Does it fit into a normal drill?

I'm now trying to remove the last cement stains from the brick, before repointing. For the brick cleanup I started a separate thread in the Building forum so I don't change topic. See brick cement removal using hydrochloric acid. Would love any advice before I set off. I'm a bit scared of...

I have exposed my fireplace opening and have been carefully cleaning up the bricks with a cold chisel and wire brushes. I want it to look nice as it will be left exposed. Unfortunately there is still residue of cement, some of it in large chunks. I can't remove it without breaking the bricks...

Many thanks all for the advice and putting my mind at rest I'm going to stick with the original constructional hearth (approx 500mm from fireplace front, of which only the last 100mm is under the recent floorboards) topped with a 1500 x 450 x 40mm slate slab. That is all well within spec...

BTW - Yes, I've sorted with HETAS. The fire I am buying is 5kW, heatshielded, and only needs a thin 15mm superficial hearth and no constructional hearth. I've got a 4 foot deep constructional hearth that is about to be topped with a 4" slab of slate so I'm massively overengineered!

This post? http://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/the-perfect-grouting.445730/#post-3497477 Yes. Thanks. Will look into those kits. In the end I bought a couple of large slate slabs with a natural uneven surface. They are being cut to size this week. Does slate also need sealing before...

My stone fireplace hearth is being made by me, a semi-competent DIYer that likes to have a go. I've never tiled before so would appreciate some advice. I'm about to buy some lovely limestone floor tiles, 60cm square. They have a slightly uneven riven surface and dressed edges. How do I lay...

Thanks Robbie. That's good to know. I'm going to try it. One further question... The stone slabs I am buying have irregular dressed edges, which I like for the front edge. But as I need to but the stones up against each other for the inner hearth should I cut a straight edge there? Would...

Thanks SFK. Reading it again I think you are right. I had always assumed the superimposed hearth would have to cover at least the size of the constructional hearth, but the second diagram on that link shows it as smaller. In fact my constructional hearth does extend out 50cm, but part of that...

Just to add - originally this was an open fire, and it is an Edwardian house. The new hearth would be larger and wider than the original one built with the house.

I would like to install a woodburner stove in my lounge. There is a deep hearth there (6 feet of brick and concrete!) which extends 10 cm each side of the opening and 35 cm out. I would like to add a thick limestone slab hearth on top and I have one that fits exactly and would look great...

Next thing I am going to do is build a stone hearth. I'd like a more rustic look, instead of the usual polished marble. These flagstones in B&Q look a good fit for it. Do you think this could look nice, or is it a bad idea to try and use exterior flagstones to build my hearth...

Thanks. The turps/linseed oil mix is a great tip. Will try that this weekend once I have all the bricks looking clean.

OK thanks. I'll try the cleaning option first and see how it comes out. The original mortar is very crumbly and soft (lime based?). I guess if there are a few small holes and gaps it doesnt really matter.

I'm installing a log burner in my lounge. The hetas guy will do the flue and install but I want to prep the space. This is the hole as it is now. I don't know what to do to the brick. Should I just repoint it? Or clean the brick and leave alone. Is repointing a DIY job? Any advice?

Thanks all for the help! I have finally finished breaking through the concrete and finally swept up all the dust at 11pm last night. I also cut through the wood floorboards to find the original construction hearth beneath This is it now: Now there are two questions I hope someone can help...

I am installing a new open fire in an old bricked up chimney that I have opened up. Now I need to decide on the type of fireplace to get. I like the tiled Victorian style. Some come with an integrated cast iron fireback and others need a cement or clay fireback installed first. Which one is...

I bought myself a cheapo SDS drill yesterday. Wow! What a difference. It has cut through the bricks and breeze blocks like butter. I wish I'd bought this earlier. If anyone is interested, this is the one I bought (hope links are allowed here?)...

Help! Two days later and after spending my whole evenings hacking away with a cold chisel, lump hammer and occasionally a angle grinder I am hardly getting anywhere. The cement and bricks Base of the old gas fire is so solid. Are there any tips? Are there any tools I could hire tomorrow...