Cleaning a stone fireplace.

[Johnboy]

Has anyone any advice for cleaning a stone fireplace prior to repointing? I don't want to go down the sandblasting route (been there, never again!) and I am finding that something recommended by a builder friend of mine (Hotspot fireplace cleaner) isn't that effective despite numerous applications and major elbow grease.

I don't want it sparkling as that would defeat the object but it's really annoying when the lovely lime mortar I am using ends up grubby and 'brown'...

 

[MdB]

I simply cleaned our soot covered stone with a wire brush before repointing. It didn't remove the black but did remove enough that the soot didn't bleed into the lime. The results turned out fine:

(Not all the stone is black as for some the surface layer of the stone had crumbled off (it is very poor quality stone) and because a lot of rebuilding work had to be done.)

 

[Johnboy]

That's what I am looking for! I am impressed, it really does look good.

Looks like it's going to be a lot more elbow grease....

 

[MdB]

Mid renovation.

 

[Feltwell]

Does it require much of a runway to get your Morso stove to take off MdB?

Johnboy, when you say "stone fireplace" do you mean something rustic as per MdB's, or a carved stone fireplace? The cleaning techniques between the two would be very different!

 

[MdB]

Does it require much of a runway to get your Morso stove to take off MdB?

Ahhh, bugger, I've just worked out where I'm going wrong. Currently the propeller produces a nice jet of warm air into the room which of course is pushing the stove into the alcove rather than down the living room/runway. I'll turn it around this evening and see if that works better.

 

[Feltwell]

See - what would you do without this forum for helpful advice.

 

[LadyArowana]

Does it require much of a runway to get your Morso stove to take off MdB?

Ahhh, [Bad Word], I've just worked out where I'm going wrong. Currently the propeller produces a nice jet of warm air into the room which of course is pushing the stove into the alcove rather than down the living room/runway. I'll turn it around this evening and see if that works better.

I thought they were rotor blades and it was designed to lift the stove gracefully up the chimbley.

 

[angrybird]

I simply cleaned our soot covered stone with a wire brush before repointing. It didn't remove the black but did remove enough that the soot didn't bleed into the lime. The results turned out fine:

(Not all the stone is black as for some the surface layer of the stone had crumbled off (it is very poor quality stone) and because a lot of rebuilding work had to be done.)

MdB that looks amazing. I have recently discovered a stone wall beneath the plasterboard and 3 inches of cement mortar!!!. I am now on day 4 removing it! what mix did you originally use to point the stone work as I love that look

 

[MdB]

MdB that looks amazing. I have recently discovered a stone wall beneath the plasterboard and 3 inches of cement mortar!!!. I am now on day 4 removing it! what mix did you originally use to point the stone work as I love that look

We love the look as does everyone who comes to visit the house. However, there are many on this forum who do not as it is a modern fad. Originally this wall would have been lime rendered with no stone showing with only the lowest of status houses having bare stone showing.

In our case all the lime had already been removed so there was no original fabric under the mountain of cement it had been covered with so nothing has been lost (apart from the cement :twisted so I don't feel bad in having a finish we like. If needed / wanted, it can always be relime rendered in the future.

Most of this has been repointed / rebuilt in 2:1 builders sand to lime hydrate. Sharp sand would probably have been better but it isn't as easy to use and as the pointing is non structural I wasn't too worried.

 

[MdB]

Ok, this is a bit showing off and others have seen these before but I'll put them up again.

This is the room the day we moved in:

and how it looks now:

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(It has taken 6 years and most of my hair to complete...)

 

[Schoolmarm]

You can buy hair for plastering you know.

 

[worms]

and how it looks now:

You've still got your Christmas decorations up? :wink:

 

[MdB]

You can buy hair for plastering you know.

You can? Doh!

 

[angrybird]

I still love it!!! its just the look im after. I dont want my home to look like a victorian museum. modern fad pffft!!!!!

I cant believe the transformation

 

[MdB]

I cant believe the transformation

Well losing your hair does that... :-(

 

[angrybird]

I cant believe the transformation

Well losing your hair does that... :-(

Ahh no worries as I am qualified in the art of Postiche (wig making) I can soon make you a new "syrup"! :lol:

**First of all i'd like to thank MdB for showing the pictures of his stone wall and for giving me the tips of what mix to use.
This was my first attempt and i'm full of confidence now!! I'd never have done anything like this if I hadn't found PPUK

well .......... I have just finished pointing my dining room wall in lime mortar and i'm so chuffed *(fluffs feathers!) im going to start the wall in the kitchen! I would like the mortar to be a lighter shade not quite so"pinky".The builders sand is quite reddy in colour,could I use kiddies Play sand as this is more neutral in colour ? (Please dont laugh if this is a stupid idea)

Thank you once again
Jacqueline x

 

[agbagb]

You can get yellow builders sand. Play sand might be bit fine.

 

[angrybird]

You can get yellow builders sand. Play sand might be bit fine.

oh thanks agbagb ((((psssst can you tell I dont know what im doing ? )))))

kind regards

Jacqueline x

 

[AMc]

Worth mentioning that builders sand comes in varying colours from different places so if your current builders merchant is too yellow it would be worth taking a look in those nearby.