How to Fix Crumbling Stone on a Fireplace

Often serving as the focal point of the living room or family room, a fireplace turns into an eyesore if it has crumbling stone. Just as with bricks, stones are installed on a fireplace with mortar. If applied properly, the mortar secures the stones in place. For a crumbling fireplace, you must fix the mortar problem to stop the crumbling. No building expertise is required to fix the fireplace on your own.

Chisel or flat-head screwdriver
Paint scraper
Plastic sheeting
Wire brush
Mortar
Bucket
Trowel
Replacement stone

Instructions

- 1
  Lay plastic sheeting on your floor around the fireplace to protect the floor from damage while you fix the fireplace.
- 2
  Use a chisel or flat-head screwdriver to remove the stones from the fireplace. To free the stones, chisel away the mortar surrounding each stone before prying it away. Start in the area where the stone is crumbling and work your way around. Break up the mortar without further damaging the stones.
- 3
  Scrape away any mortar on the fireplace with a paint scraper. A wire brush can clean it off any remaining mortar.
- 4
  Mix up your mortar in a bucket. Follow the directions on the packaging, as the amount of water and mortar needed varies.
- 5
  Use a trowel to get the mortar out and spread it on the fireplace. Spread only in the area where you are going to put the stone back up. The mortar should be smooth and in a layer about one-inch thick.
- 6
  Push the stones into place in the mortar. If you had damaged stones, replace them with new stones. Generally the mortar must dry for 72 hours to completely set up.

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