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Chimney & Fireplaces/Adhering cement backerboard to masonry fireplace with brick surround

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Expert: - 3/24/2009


Question
Hello Bart,

I ran across your answer to a question about
drywalling/cement boarding over a brick fireplace surround
on a masonry fireplace.  I found your answer about
requiring non-combustible materials around the fireplace
opening (12" top, 6" sides) very useful.  I was hoping you
could shed some light on a couple follow up questions I
have.

1) What is the best adhesive to adhere the cement
backerboard to the existing brick?

2) The bricks in our fireplace have rather large gaps in
them where the mortar sits below the faces of the bricks, I
think this is fairly common.  Once the backerboard is
adhered to the brick there will be a space (gap) between
the backside of the backerboard and between the front of
the bricks that is expose to the opening of the fireplace.  
I could see that heat and perhaps ember/sparks/etc. might
find their way into this gap and get in behind the
backerboard.  Is this something to worry about?  Is there a
cement/mortar that I should use to seal these spaces?

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Derek,

1.  You should be able to use a standard F26 adhesive to adhere cement backerboard to the masonry.

2.  This condition is not fairly common.  You should be able to use type n mortar for this repair.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice 316-265-9828
Fax 316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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