Victorian fireplace

[mims&pip]

I'm afraid I'd want to re-cover the whole lot if it were me Exposed brick inside a house doesn't float my boat (mainly because it was never intended to be seen) and the surround - even if it does turn out to be stone - seems a bit too knackered to look attractive imho.

There was a large exposed brick chimney breast here when we purchased our old Welsh mill five years ago. Despite hating it with a passion from the get go, I tolerated it for four years because Pip was a fan, but it always made the kitchen feel cold, dirty and unwelcoming. Last year I finally persuaded Pip that we should board it over and add (lovely Liberty ) wallpaper - now it looks far more period appropriate, not to mention bright and clean!

I've added a couple of pics to illustrate (please ignore the TV - it was only temporary whilst we were rebuilding elsewhere )

Mims x

 

[aparry93]

I'm afraid I'd want to re-cover the whole lot if it were me Exposed brick inside a house doesn't float my boat (mainly because it was never intended to be seen) and the surround - even if it does turn out to be stone - seems a bit too knackered to look attractive imho.

There was a large exposed brick chimney breast here when we purchased our old Welsh mill five years ago. Despite hating it with a passion from the get go, I tolerated it for four years because Pip was a fan, but it always made the kitchen feel cold, dirty and unwelcoming. Last year I finally persuaded Pip that we should board it over and add (lovely Liberty ) wallpaper - now it looks far more period appropriate, not to mention bright and clean!

I've added a couple of pics to illustrate (please ignore the TV - it was only temporary whilst we were rebuilding elsewhere )

Mims x

View attachment 11025

Thank you for the recommendation. The plan is to cover the stone as it ugly and knackered. So only keeping the brick exposed to keep the character.

 

[aparry93]

If the bricks above come up good eventually…the plan is to reinstate this mantle but extend the bases of the timber mantle to cover the old stone. And then ‘wrap’ the stone by lining with MDF if that makes sense. Then we will give some new life to the mantle either by waxing or applying the Frenchic hack (crème de la crème and browning wax) we have used this hack on all of our beams and this is how they look…

 

[Toby Newell]

Almost all brick cleaners are HCl, Hydrochloric acid / Spirits of salts / Muriatic acid of varying concentrations. As has been said, start of gentle and increase concentration as required. I use a number of nylon brushes, HD washing up brushes are good. Be careful to try and not brush the mortar too much as this will dissolve. You need to wash down 2 or 3 times afterwards and leave to dry for 48hrs.

There are two types of 'sealers' impregnators which are more breathable and top coat sealers which are film forming. You only need the impregnator one or two coats will darken the colour, don't apply anything if you like the lighter look.

Lithofin are one of the best in the industry.

I use their cement away cleaner, it's maximum concentration. It says only for outdoor use and dilute 20:1. I use it neat, indoors, it will dissolve 2mm of cement.

Ventilate. Only caveat being if you use anything other than a low concentration of HCl cleaner then wear a fume respirator.

The ABEKP masks are designated for HCl fumes (yellow stripe) but you don't need them, just a good A2P3 mask (A2 has 5x WEL compared to A1) mine was ok for several hours using 1 litre of concentrated cement away. Oh, and wear safety specs and gloves too.

I am pretending I didn't see the beams.

 

[LadyArowana]

I am pretending I didn't see the beams.

What beams?

 

[mims&pip]

I totally appreciate that some like the internal exposed brick (or stone) look - it just doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid. Fortunately for you, I don't have to live in your house

My 'after' pic doesn't seem to have attached so here it is (again) just in case