Chimney breast - Creating firm base for hearth

[wiffola]

Hi All,

Here's a pic of my latest project.

Untitled

• wiffola
• 25 Jan 2012
• 1

I knocked this through and will eventually be putting a log burner in there. Plan is to render and plaster the internal side walls, and around the fake oak lintel) but leave the stone wall exposed at the back and tidy it up.

I want to have a welsh slate hearth that extends out into the room and creates a T shape around the side walls. The floor in the main room is concreted with plastic moisture barrier up to the edge of the opening.

At the moment the floor inside the chimney breast is just soil.

I'm willing to get my hands dirty on this one, but just wondered if someone could walk me through the process to get it ready for laying a slate heath?

I'm a bit of layman so go easy on me

Thanks

 

[JimLoskot]

dig down in the soil, put some plastic in the bottom to prevent damp coming up, pour in concrete to desired height and put slate down

 

[Richard C]

Plan is to render and plaster the internal side walls, and around the fake oak lintel) but leave the stone wall exposed at the back and tidy it up.

Lime render is OK but you cant use gypsum plaster, it won’t stand more than 49 degrees C & will crack & blow off the render immediately you use the fire.

As this comes up so often, I’ve put together this generic post. Everything you need to know should be in the links & if you serch the forum you will find many archive threads covering most fires & installation scenarios you can think of but post abck if you need specifics.

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You can DIY an open fire or stove install but you need to understand the Building Regs (which changed in October 2010), submit a Building Notice & pay a fee. Your LABC will inspect &, assuming everything is OK, issue a compliance certificate; the BI may want to witness smoke & spillage tests. No compliance certificate may lead to difficulties when you come to sell your property; if you cannot produce a compliance certificate in the event of a problem, your insurance company may invalidate your policy & reject any claim.

Lots of archive threads on this & some things you need to watch out for, read the links but not all may be relevant or apply to you;

http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/stove_building_regulations.html
http://www.woodburnerwarehouse.co.uk/building_regualtions_for_stoves.phtml
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010.pdf
http://www.hetas.co.uk/public/certificates.html
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/buidling_regs_consumer leaflet.pdf
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=183614
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=211524
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=242738
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224751
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1855590#1855590

& some more sobering reading just in case you think it’s all a load of old tosh:
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/main_pages/news.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...wood-burning-stove-leaks-carbon-monoxide.html
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/warning_over_heaters_after_norfolk_couple_s_death_1_811099
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ouple-dead-arms-sofa-overcome-coal-fumes.html

Also get at least 3 quotes from local independent HETAS installers:
http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member

You might be pleasantly surprised & you should ask yourself if you really want all the hassle & risk getting it wrong; climbing onto the roof with an 8M stainless steel snake on your back is not for the feint hearted!

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Read more: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=267604&highlight=#ixzz1I6jlicut

 

[wiffola]

Thanks for the help both.

With the concrete floor....

1. Is there any plastic in particular I should use?

2. Is there any partiular type of cement/ratio?

3. How do I finish it off when it's at it's desired height? Will it just be flat or do I need to level it with a bit of wood?

With the walls...

1. If gypsum is no good, what plaster should I use?

Sorry for being clueless

 

[Richard C]

1. Is there any plastic in particular I should use?

Before you go doing that, look at the Building Regulations link for constructional hearths, the depth & size has to be in accordance with Building Regulations. See also the link below.

2. Is there any partiular type of cement/ratio?

Typical mix is 4 parts sharp sand, 1 part cement. Here’s another link, read the section on hearths;
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/opening_up_your_fireplace.pdf

3. How do I finish it off when it's at it's desired height? Will it just be flat or do I need to level it with a bit of wood?

Oh dear

If gypsum is no good, what plaster should I use?

You can use sand/cement/lime render for the base coat, lay on in two coats 5:1:1 then 6:1:1. If you want plaster finish over that, you need to use a heatproof plaster such as Vitcas; http://shop.vitcas.com/vitcas-heat-resistant-plaster-16-p.asp
Lots about render & plaster in the DIYnot links I posted.

You don’t really seem to have read the links I posted; you really will find most of the answers in there. From the questions you’re asking I would advise you do more research before you go any further or you will start making mistakes. It’s not difficult but really isn’t a job to tackle if, by your own admission, your clueless about what your doing.

 

[wiffola]

Thanks for the help.

Can I just ask, I have some black plastic pond liner, would this be ok for the moisture barrier?