A fireplace is traditionally considered to be the centerpiece of any room in which it is located. Many times a fireplace may be installed without a surround or a mantel. Even if a fireplace has a surround, it can benefit from the installation of a mantel designed or chosen to compliment the fireplace. Fireplace mantels can be built on the spot or purchased in kits that you install. They are relatively easy to install, usually requiring no special tools and little to no skill. The most difficult aspect of installing a fireplace mantel may be in finding out what the fire codes related to fireplaces, surrounds, and mantels are and figuring out how to apply them to your installation. It is also necessary to check with your local building and codes department about their specific requirements for fireplace mantels and surrounds. In general, you must keep your mantel at least one inch away from the firebox for each eighth inch of mantel depth. In considering the purchase and installation of a fireplace mantel, inspect your fireplace and determine if it has a heatilator. This is a series of holes in the brickwork above and on each side of the firebox. These must not be covered up as they give off heat from the firebox and flue into the room. If your fireplace is equipped with a heatilator, you must choose or design a fireplace mantel that will accomodate those heatilator holes.

Install a fireplace mantel  

 

A beautiful fireplace mantel is the perfect centerpiece of any room.

1. If you have purchased a fireplace mantel kit, unpack it and inspect the parts. 
2. You may have to install ledger strips or backer boards to the fireplace walls or brick chimney.
3. Use 2 x 4s for ledger strips. 
4. Cut one piece 2″ shorter than the length of your mantel.
5. Measure up the fireplace the proper heighth and mark a leveled line on the wall. 
6. Anchor your horizontal ledger strip level with this line. Use concrete or brick anchors or screws.
7. Follow this same procedure to install vertical ledger strips on each side of the firebox for the mantel legs.
8. Now set the fireplace mantel in place over the ledger strips and make sure it sets tight against the wall.
9. If there are gaps between the back of the mantel and the wall, you may have to scribe the back edges of the mantel to the wall surfaces. Cut those rear edges of the mantel with a jigsaw a little at a time and check the fit each time you trim.
10. When you are sure the fit is right, attach the mantel to the ledger strips with finish nails or screws. If you use finish nails, make sure you use box finish nails and not galvanized ones. You can also use a brad gun but it may not set the nails tight so you may want to set each one with a nail set and hammer.
11. Fill each nail or screw hole with wood putty or wood filler. When it is dry, sand, seal, and paint or stain the fireplace mantel.

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.