How to Add a Mantel to a Brick Wall

Lay the mantel on a floor or work surface. Measure the mantel's length and width.

Draw a square outline of the mantel where it will be located above the fireplace on the brick wall. Use a pen to draw the outline. Ensure that the top line of the outline is within grout of the brick and is centered above the firebox. Leave 6 inches of clearance between the bottom of the outline and the fireplace.

Place painter's tape along the outline you drew on the brick wall.

Set a level against the upper and lower painter's tape pieces to check whether or not they are level. Adjust the tape if necessary.

Drill four evenly spaced holes into the grout along the top line of the outline you drew. Make each hole 3 inches deep using an electric drill with a 3/4-inch masonry drill bit.

Remove the outline painter's tape from the wall, and discard the tape.

Insert one lead sleeve into each hole you drilled. Lead sleeves are designed to grab the surface of grout when lag bolts are driven into them.

Insert one 10-inch long lag bolt in each lead sleeve, and tighten each bolt into place with an adjustable wrench.

Measure the distance between each lag bolt you installed in the brick wall. Mark the same distances on the back of the mantel so you know where each lag bolt will hit the mantel.

Drill 1/2-inch deep holes into the back of the mantel where each lag bolt will go.

Apply a high-temperature silicone to the tip of each lag bolt. Lift the mantel, and push the holes in its back firmly into the lag bolts.