How to Reconstruct a Fireplace

Trim and Mantel Reconstruction

• 1

  Insert a metal pry bar between pieces of wood trim around your fireplace. Pull gently to loosen and remove molding from around the fireplace's masonry face.

• 2

  Inspect the masonry behind the molding. Look for signs of crumbling brick or stone, mortar dust and smoke damage. If the fireplace's firebox and masonry surround are intact, you won't need to replace them.

• 3

  Measure the space around the masonry hearth. Transfer your measurements to new wood molding with a pencil. Chop the molding to length with a miter saw.

• 4

  Stain the cut molding by applying wood stain with a paintbrush. Allow the molding to dry before installing or handling it.

• 5

  Attach new molding to your fireplace by applying wood glue to all corners and driving finishing nails through the wood, into the wall behind the mantle.

Masonry Reconstruction

• 6

  Remove damaged masonry from your fireplace while the wood trim is off. Chip off damaged stone with a hammer and chisel beginning with the topmost area. Saw away jagged or protruding bricks with a masonry saw.

• 7

  Check the condition of the firebox. If the metal liner or firebrick enclosure is intact, you don't need to reconstruct that portion of the fireplace.

• 8

  Prepare a mortar mix in a plastic pail or metal tub using dry mix and water according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• 9

  Lay mortar onto the existing, intact masonry of the fireplace's cement foundation with a trowel. Insert new bricks or stone on top of each layer of mortar, building from the fireplace's foundation or the lowest rank of existing masonry upward.

• 10

  Install new wood trim around the masonry once the mortar has had several hours to dry.

Firebox Reconstruction

• 11

  Purchase a fireplace insert if the existing insert or liner is damaged, or if the fireplace doesn't produce enough heat to warm your home. Measure the inside of the firebox to determine the maximum dimensions of the fireplace insert you can use.

• 12

  Place the fireplace insert on a wheeled dolly and position it close to the fireplace opening. Remove bricks or stone with a masonry saw if it's evident that the insert won't slide freely into the firebox.

• 13

  Slide the fireplace insert off of the dolly and directly into the firebox. Slide it to a position where the top vent is aligned with the base of your chimney's flue.

• 14

  Insert a connector pipe into the fireplace insert's top vent so it extends upward into the chimney. Tighten the screws around the vent's base plate with a screwdriver to secure the connector pipe in place.

• 15

  Apply chimney caulk directly from the tubs to seal any gaps around the fireplace insert and the surrounding masonry. Replace masonry, followed by wood trim, to finish the complete reconstruction.