back to brick

[mrtell]

I got it in my head that i want to take the chimney breast back to brick, knock off all the plaster and have the original brick as the decor!
Is this a good idea or should it be better left as is?
If i do should i just do the breast or should i do the whole wall as well?
And once the plaster is knocked off i assume i point up the brick and treat the whole of the exposed area with ???
As you can see this is only a thought at this stage so any ideas are very welcome.
thanks

 

[masona]

Is this a good idea or should it be better left as is?

They can look nice but some cement joints can be ugly, if so you could always paint it with the choice of your colour

If i do should i just do the breast or should i do the whole wall as well?

Up to you, I would just do the chimney breast first then have a look at it etc. If you don't like the condition of the brickwork or whatever will mean replastering. The other problem is the other wall may be celcon blocks which is grey/black colour!

And once the plaster is knocked off i assume i point up the brick and treat the whole of the exposed area with ???

There is a sealer for this called Brick Sealer

 

[mrtell]

Thanks for the reply
answerd all my questions.
I live in lancashire and believe the entire house to be built of accrington brick.

 

[mrtell]

Forgot to mention, there is a big old iron fireplace on the chimney breast 4.5 foot by 5.5 foot, which someone has tiled in the middle, how will this be fastened to the wall, leant against and screwed or built into the brickwork?
thanks

 

[JohnD]

Quite likely to have iron lugs like ears cast into the top corners, with big iron screws into the wall.

If you chip away the plaster you will find them. You may find the plaster is cracked round the fixings. Take it off with care as someone will want it (probably the next owner of your house when he wants to restore it).

Be aware that brickwork which is intended to be covered up is generally not laid to be a thing of beauty. Where do you suppose all the damaged, mis-fired and broken bricks get used up?

 

[mrtell]

lol
i see your point.

 

[diyisfree]

Mrtell

I was called to an house in Clayton Le moors Nr Accrington a few months ago. That was build of accy brick some 100 odd years ago.

looked as if the young lad had been having a go at one end and the brick layer at the other. By the time the courses met up they ended up laying bricks at about a 25% angle .

I wish i had ny camera with me that day because people still dont beleive me It looked marvelous and goes to show whats hidded beneath plaster

Anyway, re plastered all the walls and it looks lovely now, Nothing lost knocking the plaster off, especially if its in a poor state.

Call in a plasterer if you need it re instating..

Good luck mate.

 

[mrtell]

lol
may call you.
blackburn is where i am from.

 

[diyisfree]

Small world isnt it