The surface of fireplace brick gets dirty from soot and dust that accumulates on its surface as the fireplace is used. Fireplace brick can be difficult to clean, especially if the owner neglected to clean it for a long period of time. The older the brick is, the more difficult it can be to clean, as well. Fireplace brick—traditionally red brick—can be many different types and each of these types may require slightly different cleaning treatments. Cleaning methods for indoor fireplaces may vary from those used on outside brick installations. In this article, we will concern ourselves with cleaning an indoor red brick fireplace installation.

Preparation

Mask off all surrounding surfaces with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect them from liquid spills or falling debris and dust.

Cleaning Methods

1. Use a heavy, coarse brush to break loose the dirt and soot particles. Then vacuum them up. If you clean the fireplace regularly, this may be all that is needed to clean the brick surface.
2. If the soot build-up is heavy, a brush and/or a vacuum may be insufficient. You can use hot water and a brush to scrub the brick surface being careful not to use excess water. Place rolled up towels or rags on the hearth to catch the water runoff.


Regular cleaning will keep your fireplace looking like new

3. If the hot water and brush still leave soot and stains on the brick surface, you can add a tablespoon of detergent or trisodiumphosphate to a gallon of hot water. Use long rubber gloves and eye protection, and scrub the brick with this solution and a coarse bristle brush. Let it stand for 3 to 5 minutes and rinse it off with hot water. Rinse the brick thoroughly and let it dry. If the brick surface is smooth, polish it with a soft, dry cloth to impart a shiny patina to the brick.
4. If the above methods still fail to clean the brick thoroughly, you can use a commercial brick cleaning solution or make one of your own. To make your own brick cleaning solution mix one part muriatic acid to ten parts water. Wearing a good shop apron or coveralls, safety goggles, and rubber gloves, apply this solution to the brick surface and scrub it with a brush. Be careful with this solution because you are using a diluted acid. It will harm the finish of surrounding surfaces so take pains to protect them accordingly. Rinse the solution carefully and let the brickwork dry.
5. You can also use a commercial solution. There are various solutions available like Diedrich 202, Sureclean 101, Vanatrol, Goldblatt Brick Bath, and others. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations because some commercial cleaners may not be compatible with your fireplace brick.

Tips

You can use a good quality brick sealer to apply to the brick surface after you have thoroughly cleaned your fireplace. The sealer will keep dust and soot from penetrating the brick surface and make future cleaning chores much easier. Some fireplace owners also wax their fireplaces making them that much easier to clean each year. Regular fireplace maintenance will keep your brickwork looking like new and help your fireplace to last a lifetime.

Paving bricks and stones, whether natural or man made, make beautiful and utilitarian sidewalks and pathways. Installing them properly insures that they will last a lifetime.

Laying a proper foundation for the brick or stonework is the most important step.

Preparation

1. Mark out the borders of your pathway.
2. Remove all the grass or sod with a grub hoe or square point shovel.
3. Dig out the topsoil to a depth equal to the thickness of the paving material plus four inches for sub grading materials.
4. Determine the pattern you want to use. You can lay your pattern out on paper or mark out an area on your lawn that corresponds to the dimensions of your pathway and experiment by laying the paving stones or bricks out in different patterns until you find one that you like.

Installation

1. Install the border material of your choice. You can use border strips especially designed for the purpose or you can make your own with lumber.
2. Anchor the border strips with small stakes placed inside the pathway and up against the border material.
3. Lay down a layer of pea gravel, crushed rock, or drainage rock at least two inches thick for proper drainage. Level the gravel with a 2 x 4 cut the width of the pathway or use a rake.
4. Put in a layer of clean fine sand to within the thickness of the paving material from the top of the border and level it the same way as you did the gravel.
5. Water the sand well and let it set until it is barely damp. This will help the sand to settle and compact firmly.
6. Where you begin to install the paving material depends on the pattern you have chosen. Basically, it is best to start at one end or one corner and work down the length of the pathway, aying bricks or paving stones one at a time and tamping them into place with the wooden handle of a mallet or hammer. Be careful not to tamp too sharply and break the brick or stones. If you need to cut the brick or stone, use the proper chisel and hammer for cutting masonry along with safety goggles and gloves, or use a masonry saw while using safety aids.
7. Tamp the side of the paving material to bring it in tightly to its neighbor and tamp the top to imbed the paving stone or brick into the damp sand base.
8. Level the brick or stone to itself and to its neighbor with a short torpedo level. If the pathway is on a hillside, just make sure the bricks or stones are even with the ones next to it so there are no raised up edges to trip over.
9. After the initial installation, sweep a thin layer of fine sand over the paving material to fill in any small cracks and help prevent the pavers from moving as they are walked on.
10. Give the pathway a final watering to settle the sand one final time. Let the pathway dry, sweep it off, and enjoy!