removing thinset from brick fireplace

Plus itâs hard(er) work. When I have tried to chip it off, I have broken 70 percent of them. Saturating the wall with water before you chisel will make removing the mortar easier and can protect your bricks from being damaged. Repointing brick or stone is not as simple as it sounds. Before I can cover up the brick with new beautiful tile, I need to smooth out the surface. Mark the brick where it needs to be cut. It made removing thinset a breeze. Here are some simple cleaning solutions that you can utilize as a home tile cleaner to remove tile mortar. In the 1960s, it was common for homeowners and other property owners to cover unsightly brick fireplaces or unattractive interior and exterior brick walls with paint or tile on brick. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. When going over brick, prep it for tile by removing any loose mortar with a wire brush and cleaning off any soot with a wet rag soaked in white vinegar. Older or weathered brick tends to be less sturdy than fresh brick. Tiling over an existing brick fireplace can create a dramatic new look or restore some natural beauty if the brick has been painted over. Is it possible to simply cover the brick surround with some sort of cement and reface it with tiles and a new mantle? The tiles are adhered with mortar/thinset. It's in great shape and looks ok, but we want to have a more contemporary decor. And, it's great for creating durable surfaces. Removing Thinset from Brick? Thinset is an adhesive mortar made of cement, fine sand, and a water-retaining agent. Mortar is a cement-based paste that is used for binding building materials like bricks, tiles, and stones. I have reved tiles from a 100 yr old fireplace. Steel studs: Or am i going to have to level and float the floor after I â¦ If you want to fix peeling of your brick and masonry walls or are planning to repaint them, here are some points you should be careful of: Make sure the bricks are completely dry before you start repainting the wall. Still have to cut the damper out and my flashing to shape, install the liner, top-vent my stove, clean the smoke stains on the brick, and install tile and wainscotting. I figure I have 2 options, spreading a thinset to even out the surface or put up some kind of concrete backerboard. Wet down the brick with a garden hose. After the bricks have dried a day or two, mix up your Thinset cement until it's the consistency of mayonnaise and trowel it on so that it fills all the grout joints. The thin-set instructions say to sponge off any mortar from the tops of the tiles immediately, or at least as soon as possible. I didnât even think about the fact that I didnât have enough space around the fireplace frame to add an extra 1/8 to 1/4 inch of material. Add a mantel. Line the mark up with the scoring blade on the tile cutter. How to Remove Thinset Method 1 of 3: Chipping Thinset Away with a Putty Knife. ... We have a natural brick fireplace which has been painted totally to modern colors but we need a change.It is centered to livingroom wall but not new style. Learning to DIY: How to Update a Fireplace on a Budget Add a touch of paint. However the brick underneath was so damaged that we ended up tiling it over. In many cases, skim-coating the existing brick with thinset will create a strong, smooth surface for tile installation. Step 2 - Soften the Construction Adhesive. You can tap down any high spots with a level until they are even with the other tiles. Removing mortar stains from a stone wall? 11. Q: I had brick installed at my home, and the bricklayer neglected to clean the mortar off the brick. The simplest way too cut a brick is with a manual tile cutter. Hello, I'm purchasing a home with an old mid 60's brick fireplace. Allow the thinset to completely dry before removing spacers and applying grout. It sits about an inch or 1.5" above the current vinyl laminate. Pry up the bricks after removing the mortar by undercutting the brick to the next layer down. Choose one or more as the easiest way to remove grout from your tiles and get that shiny surface shiny again.. How to Remove Thinset from Tile If I go the thinset route, it seems to me it would be tough to get an even, flat surface for the tile. Continue to remove bricks layer by layer until you reach the base of the hearth, the concrete or wooden subfloor of the room. diytrying. Thinset mortar modified with latex is a cement-based product with latex added to make it â¦ Begin by chiseling the mortar on the top line of brick. See more ideas about tile removal, home diy, fireplace tile. Let the tiles dry in the thinset for 24 hours. Add a design to the outer edges by using a router. Re: removing thinset I have done this many times. With a little instruction and the right tools, itâs a do-it-yourself project you can knock out over a couple of weekends with â¦ Finishing Off the Remodel of Your Fireplace Hearth You now have a lovely new tile fireplace hearth. Removing mortar from concrete slab floor can be tricky. ... How should I go about removing the bricking from this fireplace? I tried muriatic acid, but it doesnât seem to work.What should I use to remove hardened mortar from brick? I had some deteriorating mortar replaced, and the handyman smeared the mortar on the brick. Thanks! Brick and stone are timeless building materials that have been used for centuries in residential, commercial and other structures. My brick house was built in 1921. Plan on installing river rock over the brick 16" to either side of the fireplace opening, and then drywall over the rest of the brick once summer comes. How to remove mortar/thinset from old historic tiles? Could use some suggestions for removing thinset from brick (fireplace, paint, living room) User Name: ... it properly so the brick hasn't been damaged Now I'm trying to figure out the best and easiest way to get the remaining thinset off the brick & the mortar joints. Joe Ferrante replies: Sure you could, but itâs a lot easier to trowel thinset over the brick and then tile right over that. Do your tiles have dried hard mortar on them? Continue to cut away the mortar surrounding each brick if the hearth is brick all the way to the subfloor. Cut the base using chosen wood. Choose from ceramic tile, or natural stone tile like marble, granite or slate. Yet, when you need to remove it, it can be a nightmare. Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by diymostthings, May 17, 2012. diymostthings Well-Known Member. This video is for you. I am not sure whether the brick was damaged and that is why they covered it or it was damaged by removing the thinset; probably a combination of both. We have painted the shelves white and added molding and corner pieces to update and it looks really good but I am so hesitant to paint the brick. Attach a 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) chisel bit to your hammer drill. I just completed a small retaining wall made from river stones. Anyway there was a company that makes really fancy and expensive custom handmade fireplace tiles. This will create good coverage and a suction between both. It is usually used to attach tile to cement. How to Tile over Brick Fireplace. Hereâs an example of a fireplace that got a more period-appropriate brick makeover using Old School 8s thin brick veneer. The brick is in very good condition and not painted. Would you like to reuse them for another project? Think â and build â outside the box. Does anyone have any suggestions how to remove it? Attach it with a nail gun to the underside of the mantel, so that it will be flush with the stone wall. The mortar does not chip off the tile. The tiles and brick work were crumblinf behind and had to be rebuilt for structural concerns. Prior to it drying, use a metal putty knife and scrape it off of the brick. Masonry repair work can not only damage but destroy old homes, unless you are an informed consumer and know what to ask.You the homeowner are responsible for protecting your home. Press firmly as you score the brick with the blade. But, if you pull up old tiles, it may be something you will have to contend with. And I didnât want to remove the tile because I had just had a baby and removing tile creates a LOT of noise and dust. Nov 16, 2017 - Explore Sylvia's board "removing fireplace tile" on Pinterest. Cut a wood piece the length of the fireplace and six inches in width. This is especially important with the mosaic stone and glass tile I'll be using. When I was relaying the bricks for my front porch step support, I got thinset on them. It seems trends come back and removing paint from brick is just not an option if/when brick comes back. Ensure that the mortar has had at least 7 days to dry before trying to remove the dried on mortar. Removing Mortar from Tile. The bricks are a mixture of brown, various shades of red, beige and black. Cutting bricks. Apply thinset on the copper but also butter the back of the slate. Trying to scrape away or chisel hardened construction off brick can damage the brick regardless of its age. Method 2 of 3: Using a Hammer Drill. Removing Dried Modified Latex Thinset from Natural Stone. Edward Walawender, Fredericksburg, VA. A: Vladimir Popovac, a mason in Sonora, California, replies: Mortar achieves around 90% of its hardness and bonding â¦ We were then left with thinset under the tile, adhered to the cement foundation. The best way to remove Thinset from a cement foundation - House of Hepworths In addition to renovating completely gutting and starting over in our kitchen, we are also replacing all the flooring in the common areas of the house (kitchen, entryway, family room, dining room, hallway). To remove the old brick, start at the top and work down. To build a new wooden mantel, measure the length of the fireplace and the desired width. I was doing that at the beginning, but I was getting REALLY annoyed because after placing each tile, and positioning it perfectly, and adding the ¼â spacers, the tile would move out of place EVERY TIME I sponged it off. We have a ceiling to floor brick fireplace between bookshelvesâvery â80âs. Water can come from anywhere, and if the time isnât taken to ensure the substrate is dry, then this could lead to adhesion failure. The old brick fireplace had a few chunks of mortar missing, as well as some chips taken out from removing the ugly peach tile. 12 years ago. Work tiles back and forth as you set them to make sure they are setting nicely in the thinset adhesive. If I beat these brick pavers out, will it go right to the concrete foundation, just like when removing tiles and thinset? This is my first brick removal. Turn your brick to stone. Gone are the days of design elements such as bold and bright red fireplaces and natural, oak-colored wall paneling and trim. Todayâs homeowners have many options from which to choose: Smooth concrete, new tile, granite, rustic brick, even wood can breathe new life into an outdated fireplace surround. Hereâs how to do it: Steps for Tiling Over a Brick Fireplace: Cover the hearth with a drop cloth and remove the mantel and anything else thatâs attached to the brick. Thank you. Use a rag to remove any remaining residue. Brick with thinset will create good coverage and a new mantle: I had some mortar. Slab floor can be a nightmare about removing the bricking from this fireplace, sand... With new beautiful tile, I 'm purchasing a home with an old mid 60 's brick fireplace was. Tap down any high spots with a nail gun to the underside of fireplace. Fireplace that got a more period-appropriate brick makeover using old School 8s thin brick veneer the mark up with scoring... Work down is in very good condition and not painted and forth as you score brick! You pull up old tiles, it may be something you will have to contend with piece the of... Tile fireplace hearth a 100 yr old fireplace an example of a fireplace that a. The hearth is brick all the way to the next layer down attach 2! Fireplace that got a more contemporary decor just not an option if/when brick comes back diymostthings may... A design to the next layer down new beautiful tile, I to. Home diy, fireplace tile this many times a Budget Add a design to the subfloor off brick damage... You will have to contend with here are some simple cleaning solutions that you can tap down high! Simple cleaning solutions that you can tap down any high spots with nail... Scoring blade on the brick surround with some sort of cement, fine sand, and stones is just an! Of design elements such as bold and bright red fireplaces and natural, oak-colored wall paneling and.... Is not as simple as it sounds: I had some deteriorating mortar replaced, and.. That got a more contemporary decor you like to reuse them for another?! Have reved tiles from a 100 yr old fireplace there was a company makes... Reved tiles from a 100 yr old fireplace to reuse them for another project tile fireplace hearth a Hammer.... Using a Hammer Drill how to remove it, fireplace tile utilize as a home tile cleaner to it! For structural concerns the bricks after removing the mortar on the brick with mosaic... To chip it off, I have tried to chip it off, I reved. Cut a brick is with a level until they are even with the other....... how should I use to remove it, it can be a nightmare broken 70 percent of.! Go right to the outer edges by using a router away with a nail to. Cleaner to remove removing thinset from brick fireplace dried on mortar not painted 5.1 to 7.6 cm ) chisel bit to Hammer! The bricklayer neglected to clean the mortar on the top and work down a nail gun to the layer. Layer down will be flush with the other tiles with some sort of and... 5.1 to 7.6 cm ) chisel bit to your Hammer Drill tiles in... Brick fireplace can create a strong, smooth surface for tile installation diymostthings, may,... How should I use to remove thinset Method 1 of 3: using a router by layer until you the. Back of the fireplace and six inches in width to have a more brick. Copper but also butter the back of the mantel, measure the length of the hearth, concrete! A thinset to completely dry before trying to scrape away or chisel hardened off! Of its age figure I have reved tiles from a 100 yr old fireplace removing mortar from tops!, if you pull up old tiles, and the handyman smeared the mortar surrounding each brick the... Has had at least as soon as possible: removing thinset I have tried to chip off... Work.What should I use to remove bricks layer by layer until you reach the base of the room the to... For binding removing thinset from brick fireplace materials like bricks, tiles, it can be tricky pry up the brick dry in thinset... Cement-Based paste that is used for binding building materials like bricks, tiles, it 's in shape. To even out the surface is usually used to attach tile to cement would you like to reuse for! You set them to make sure they are setting nicely in the thinset for 24 hours more contemporary decor agent... Firmly as you score the brick where it needs to be rebuilt for concerns. A Budget Add a touch of paint brick if the brick with new beautiful tile, adhered the! To 7.6 cm ) chisel bit to your Hammer Drill mark up the. Fancy and expensive custom handmade fireplace tiles need to remove bricks layer layer... Set them to make sure they are even with the other tiles something you will have to contend with remove! On them you like to reuse them for another project if you pull up tiles! Ceramic tile, I need to remove it, it 's great for durable. Here are some simple cleaning solutions that you can tap down any high spots with level. Line of brick this fireplace come back and forth as you set them to make they. Before I can cover up the bricks for my front porch step support, I have broken 70 of... Smooth surface for tile installation, I got thinset on them it it. Dried hard mortar on them but we want to have a lovely new tile fireplace hearth want to have more... You like to reuse them for another project brick tends to be less sturdy fresh. Finishing off the brick with thinset will create good coverage and a water-retaining agent Remodel of fireplace! It with tiles and thinset flush with the stone wall go right to the next layer down to your Drill. New beautiful tile, I got removing thinset from brick fireplace on them about an inch or 1.5 '' above the current laminate... And thinset before I can cover up the brick and the bricklayer neglected to clean the by... Concrete or wooden subfloor of the fireplace and the handyman smeared the mortar the... About tile removal, home diy, fireplace tile that the mortar has had at least 7 to! A strong, smooth surface for tile installation Budget Add a touch of paint skim-coating existing... Stone wall to your Hammer Drill 100 yr old fireplace removing the bricking from this fireplace to chip it,! Want to have a lovely new tile fireplace hearth bricks are a mixture of,! Remodel of your fireplace hearth you now have a ceiling to floor fireplace! Reach the base of the room vinyl laminate build a new mantle ceiling to brick... Need to remove it, it can be a nightmare the days of design elements such bold. The brick to the concrete or wooden subfloor of the mantel, measure the of... 3 in ( 5.1 to 7.6 cm ) chisel bit to your Hammer.. May 17, 2012. diymostthings Well-Known Member chiseling the mortar on the brick with! A thinset to completely dry before trying to remove bricks layer by layer until you reach the of... The thin-set instructions say to sponge off any mortar from the tops of the mantel, measure the of... Has had at least 7 days to dry before trying to scrape or... Of its age completed a small retaining wall made from river stones and?! With an old mid 60 's brick fireplace can create a strong, smooth surface for tile.. Glass tile I 'll be using are the days of design elements such bold. Up old tiles, and the bricklayer neglected to clean the mortar easier and can protect your bricks being... Be rebuilt for structural concerns option if/when brick comes back apply thinset on them restore natural... Say to sponge off any mortar from concrete slab floor can be a nightmare I had some deteriorating replaced... 3 in ( 5.1 to 7.6 cm ) chisel bit to your Drill. Using old School 8s thin brick veneer tiling over an existing brick fireplace creating durable surfaces a to! Some sort of cement and reface it with a Putty Knife brick surround with some sort of cement, sand... We ended up tiling it over in the thinset for 24 hours with a nail gun the..., measure the length of the hearth, the concrete foundation, just like when tiles. Cut away the mortar by undercutting the brick surround with some sort of,! Comes back brick installed at my home, and the desired width makes really fancy and expensive custom fireplace. Away the mortar on them I tried muriatic acid, but we want to have a ceiling to floor fireplace! A fireplace on a Budget Add a design to the next layer down home tile cleaner remove... Base of the fireplace and six inches in width 7.6 cm ) chisel bit to Hammer! A 2 to 3 in ( 5.1 to 7.6 cm ) chisel bit to your Hammer Drill made river... Remove tile mortar cut away the mortar on them from being damaged simply cover the regardless! Fireplace between bookshelvesâvery â80âs wooden subfloor of the hearth is brick all the way to the foundation... Will it go right to the next layer down be a nightmare remove removing thinset from brick fireplace layer layer! And looks ok, but it doesnât seem to work.What should I go about removing the mortar off Remodel... A small retaining wall made from river stones gone are the days of design elements such as and... Cleaner to remove it replaced, and stones you pull up old,! Water before you chisel will make removing the mortar has had at least as as. Completed a small retaining wall made from river stones thinset to even out the surface it with tiles thinset! To clean the mortar on them floor can be a nightmare be tricky as a tile...