How to Redo a Chimney
A crumbing chimney not only reduces the efficiency of your fireplace, it can also be dangerous. Loose brick in the chimney may fall, causing injury or death. Chimneys last years without repair, but bad weather or a storm may cause the mortar to crack or bricks to fall out. Homeowners can repair the outside of a chimney, but if you notice damage in the cement sleeve on the inside of the chimney, call a professional. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Brush
- 3/4-inch carbide-tipped grout saw
- 5-in-1 painter's tool
- Mortar
- Repointing trowel
- Flat trowel
- Brick
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Instructions
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Pull out any loose or broken brick in the chimney and sweep out the hole with a firm brush.
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Scrape out the horizontal joints of damaged areas using a handheld 3/4-inch carbide-tipped grout saw.
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Place the sharp edge of a 5-in-1 painter's tool on the vertical joints that need repairing and hit the end with a hammer to clean out the old mortar.
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Spray the chimney with water to moisten the brick until it begins to drip. Wait 24 hours to continue.
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Mix mortar for the chimney according to the instructions on the bag. Allow the mortar to sit for 15 minutes, until water rises to the top, and stir the water back in.
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Scoop a portion of mortar onto the end of a repointing trowel and push the mortar into the joints. Compact the mortar with the flat end of the trowel.
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Apply mortar about 3/4 inch thick to the bottom and one side of a brick and set the brick inside any of the holes in the chimney where brick is missing. Fill in the two other joints with the repointing trowel.
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Brush the chimney with a stiff bristle brush to remove excess mortar from the wall. Mist the brick daily with water, for three days, to keep the mortar from curing too quickly.
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References
- Photo Credit Lucas Allen/Lifesize/Getty Images
