We typically think of grout as something that goes between tiles on floors and shower walls. But it can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, if you have a brick fireplace, grout may be used to hold the bricks together. Over time, you may find issues with your fireplace’s structural integrity. The grout is usually the first thing to go so you need to seal a brick fireplace with grout. If the grout fails, you will see gaps between the brick. It may also start to crumble outwards onto the floor of your interiors or inward, into the fireplace itself.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to refortify the grout and seal a brick fireplace with grout to restore it to its original state. Here’s what you need to do.
- Place a drop cloth over the surrounding area to protect it while you work.
- Use a flat head screwdriver to maneuver within the crevices to loosen and remove the old grout. Allow it to crumble on to the floor.
- Use a wire brush to remove the debris. Then clean off any residue from the surface to prepare it for the application of new grout.
- Use a towel to fill a grout bag halfway with grout.
- Hand twist the open end of the grout bag to close it. The grout should be pressing the opposite end of the bag.
- Use a pair of scissors to cut the tapered end of the grout bag off. The size of the cut should match the width of the fireplace crevice. So, if the crevice is 1” the cut should be 1”.
- Place the cut end of the bag against the area to be repaired. It’s best to fill vertical areas before moving onto horizontal areas.
- Apply the grout into the crevice with a hand squeezing motion. The crevice should be filled until the grout extends past the brick surface while using an upward hand motion to move the bag along the crevice. The upward movement will allow the grout to sag slightly downward into the crevice without the grout spilling. Repeat until all vertical and horizontal crevices are filled.
- Allow the grout to cure completely in accordance with the directions on your grout packaging. Be aware that each manufacturer will have different directions in accordance with the ingredient ratio used in the product.
A fireplace is a lovely fixture in your home. But crumbling grout can negatively affect the aesthetic as well as the functionality. Now that you know how to repair fireplace grout, you can look forward to enjoying its warmth for years to come. Will you be trying out this method next time you see signs of damage?
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