Where most people go wrong is in adding extra steps to the process.
Tiling over brick.
Go over the entire area with a wire brush to dislodge any loose mortar then scrub off the soot with a rag soaked in.
I found that a narrow trowel was much easier to use.
Lay the next tiles equally out to.
Cut the tiles to fit.
If possible you should remove the existing mantel for easier tile.
Clean and prepare existing brick.
Work the thin set into all the nooks and crannies of the brick adding more when necessary to make the surface even.
Set the first tile.
Not only is it possible to tile over an existing brick floor wall or fireplace it s relatively easy.
Create a smooth work.
Place drop cloths over the hearth and the floor.
Next remove any loose mortar and paint that may be.
How to tile over a brick fireplace step 1.
How to tile over a brick hearth 1.
Widen the mantel so that it hung over each side of the surround by 3 inches add shadow boxes vertically and horizontally on the surround as well as on the front and sides of.
Use painter s tape to mask off.
Using the flat side of a small trowel smear the thin set over the brick.
Spread an even layer of thinset mortar over the bricks with a trowel.
Because your tiles need to be laid out properly on top of your existing brick wall check out our tips on how you can achieve this goal.
It may have worked in the 1920 s but it looks a bit rough today.
In fact all that a homeowner really needs to do is apply a layer of thinset directly to the brick in order to adhere the new tiles.
Mix the thinset to the manufacturer s specifications until it resembles the consistency of peanut butter.
Build out the vertical sides of the surround that they they were no longer flush with the wall and could thus support a.
Lay out the tile directly on the hearth to help determine the pattern they will be installed in.
Smooth out the mortar to create a flat even.
Lay the first tile in the lower center section of the wall by spreading a thin layer of thinset over the area.
The first step is to remove any existing trim or moulding from the wall as you won t want to tile over them.
Steps for tiling over a brick fireplace.
How to tile over brick step 1.
Cover the hearth with a drop cloth and remove the mantel and anything else that s attached to the brick.