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    How To DIY Mortar a Brick Fireplace Makeover

    Published: Nov 30, 2020 · Modified: Mar 7, 2021 by Aly @ Iekel Road Home · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost ·

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    Mortar a brick fireplace all on your own. Follow these how-to instructions, it's very beginner friendly.

    WHAT YOU NEED TO MORTAR BRICK FIREPLACE

    Mortar Mix

    Water Spray Bottle

    Pointing Finishing Trowel

    Mortar Grout Bag

    Scrub Brush

    supplies needed to mortar a brick fireplace

    *Before you begin to mortar a brick fireplace make sure to clean the brick of any loose debris.

    STEP 1: Mix Mortar

    Following the instructions on the bag to mix the mortar for the brick fireplace. Making sure to work in small sections at a time as the mortar dries fairly quickly. We mixed about 5 cups at a time.

    STEP 2: Add Mortar to Grout Bag

    adding mortar to grout bag

    Add mortar to grout bag. We found that it was easier to mix our mortar more on the thin side, as it moved better through the bag.

    Step 3: Wet the Brick and Old Grout with Water

    spraying brick with water

    It's best to have some help as time is an issue when working with mortar. While one person is mixing fresh mortar have the other person prepping the brick. Wet a small section of brick at one time.

    Step 4: Mortar Brick Fireplace

    filling old grout gaps with new mortar

    Mortar brick fireplace over wet section using the grout bag. We found this method to be rather easy and worked great for beginners.

    Grout one section at a time allowing the mortar to sit just a minute or two before smoothing it out.

    Step 5: Smooth Out Mortar

    smoothing mortar with pointing trowel

    This next step is actually called pointing. But if you are like us and have never done this before then 'smoothing' out the mortar is a more helpful description.

    After just a few minutes go over the mortar with a pointing trowel, pushing the mortar into the old grout lines. This is going to make a huge mess, just embrace it.

    point trowel smoothing mortar a brick fireplace

    Once the mortar starts to dry chip off any loose mortar and smooth out the grout lines with a brush. We used a cheap scrub brush we got from the dollar store.

    large scrub brush smoothing mortar a brick fireplace

    Going over the grout lines with a brush gives it a nice smooth finish.

    Step 6: Repeat!

    mortar a brick fireplace before and after

    Start the process all over again! Give yourself a little time to get used to the hang of things. You will find your rhythm.

    Prepare yourself for a huge mess. But other then a mess this project is totally do able and very beginner friendly!

    Why did we mortar a brick fireplace?

    Our before and after shots are not that impressive. In fact you can't even tell we did anything at all.

    We have big plans for a fireplace makeover but didn't want to jump the gun without perfecting the look of our brick. I was not a fan of the large grout gaps. I wanted brick that was almost flush with the mortar, but of course with lots of texture.

    red brick firepalce with couch and coffee table in forground

    In 28 days we can start the real transforming magic! (It takes 28 days for mortar to fully cure)

    MORE Home Upgrades

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    PIN IT FOR LATER

    « How To Update Brass Fireplace Insert with Spray Paint
    DIY Staircase Makeover From Blue Carpet to Stunning! »
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    Hi! We are Greg and Aly, DIY enthusiast, licensed plumber and graphic designer, updating our home one project at a time. Follow along for budget friendly DIY home decor ideas. 

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