Repointing Firebox

Hi. Last year I purchased an older home with a wood-burning fireplace. At the time, the building inspector said that we needed to "repoint/repair the firebox as required". He said it wasn't a huge deal, and that it was definitely something I could do myself. I didn't get specifics from him on how to go about it, and I'm not finding clear step-by-step instructions online as to how to do it.

There are some spaces between a few of the bricks, probably about a quarter inch wide. The bricks themselves don't appear to be cracked, but the mortar between the bricks is missing in a few places. What exactly is "repointing"? and how do I go about repairing/repointing? I do have a bag of mortar mix, as well as a bag of cement mix in the shed. Can I just use that?

A couple years ago I mixed up a little bucket of cement to fix some loose outdoor bricks steps I had, and didn't find it terribly difficult. Is that all I'd have to do to fill in the spots in the firebox? Just mix up some mortar to the same consistency I used to fix the bricks in the stairs, and then fill the spaces in the firebox using a trowel?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

What you did to repair the steps is the general idea as far as application is concerned BUT you must use mortar specifically designed to be used in high heat locations.The most common term for this is "firebrick mortar".

What you have in your shed is NOT the proper material.Another possible product,depending on the specifics of your situation,is "furnace cement" which is a premixed high heat compound that drys to a cement hardness and is commonly used to patch in high heat conditions and seal around duct work through chimneys etc.There are versions of this in a caulking tube for cracks.Terminology may differ from brand to brand etc.

Make sure you remove anything loose or crumbling etc.Follow package directions especially as far as drying time before use etc is concerned.

Most big box stores do not carry the products you need.Your better bet are either real hardware stores or businsses that sell building materials and/or masonry products.I'd call around.

 

Fireplace mortar/cement in a caulking tube? Wow. That is so good to know. It really is sounding do-able. Thanks for that info.