We are building a new home and opted for a fireplace with a brick surround and hearth. Like many things in new construction it doesn't look very sound. We had specified that we will provide the mantle as their's looked crappy so the top of the brick is exposed. When I looked at the work I found that the brick going up the wall around the fireplace is totally unattached to the wall. You can grab the brick at the top and rock the whole surround. Shouldn't the masonry be attached somehow to the sheetrock or the studs framing the firebox? What is the usual method of building a brick veneer hearth around a preinstalled firebox? thanks

Does anyone know of a clear sealer that will really work on stucco? Although two coats were properly applied (by a professional) to our stucco water goes through it in a heavy, blowing rain.Then it runs down inside the Rastra wall and runs inside where the Rastra meets the slab. (Stucco is applied directly onto Rastra, supposedly a big advantage in using it). The sealer was supposed to be guaranteed for 5 years and has been on for only a few months, but the supplier who sold it now says an elastomeric material should have been used. We'd prefer a clear sealer if there is one that will do the job. Thanks in advance for any input! FLY