I'm concerned about the safety of the fireplace in a home that was built in the early fifties. (Go to links below to see pictures) The mortar has fallen out between many of the bricks and several bricks are also broken. The bottom of the fireplace has deteriated and even has holes in it. I've read the information at [URL=http://doityourself.com/info/fireplacerepair.htm]http://doityourself.com/info/fireplacerepair.htm,[/URL] but I have some questions. I have some thinset unmodified mortar that is left over from a ceramic floor job. Will this mortar be adequate to repair the fireplace? If not, what would you recommend? Can I pour mortar into the bottom of the fireplace, level it off and just let it set? One of the pictures shows the fireplace foundation as seen from under the house. Do I need to do anything to this? Thank you, Steve Smith [URL=http://members.cox.net/jonathanherold/front.jpg]Front View[/URL] [URL=http://members.cox.net/jonathanherold/bottom.jpg]Bottom View[/URL] [URL=http://members.cox.net/jonathanherold/under.jpg]Under House[/URL]

I purchased this "Type N" mortar mix from Lowe's: see [url]http://www.medwayblock.com/store/productpictures/QuikreteMortarMix.jpg[/url] I want to use it to repair a fireplace. The label says it can be used for barbecues and it's the only mortar I saw at Lowe's that mentioned anything that might be hot. Is this the right mortar for me to use? Also, in addition to pointing up the brick, I want to repair the bottom of the fireplace. I have a picture of it at [url]http://members.cox.net/jonathanherold/bottom.jpg[/url] As you can see, the bottom is cracked, etc. It actually appears to have been dug out some as the bottom is is below the surface of the rest of the floor. I guess the old mortar has worn away with years of use. Can I just pour the mortar mix into the bottom and level it off and let it set? Thanks, Steve Smith