Replies

1. 
   JDRHI | Jan 23, 2006 08:16pm | #1

   How "uneven" are you talking?

   Do certain bricks protrude and or recess?

   If so, you might consider cold chisseling the portions that protrude to close to flush, and build up those that are recessed.

   If its just the imperfect, rough, uneveness of the bricks themselves, covering the face with a scratch coat of thinset by filling the voids and mortar joints should do the trick.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

2. 
   TTF | Jan 23, 2006 08:19pm | #2

   2 key questions - how uneven is it? and how much experience do you have with masonry and laying tile?

   At one end of the spectrum, you could plaster the brick smooth with morter and a straight-edge. At the other, you may want to put up concreate board with thinset or morter. Also, you may want to chisel the brick flat if jsut a few are sticking out.

   If it were me, I would typically take a rotohammer to the brick and get rid of it, and create my own substraight surface to make sure I had a clean line with the firebox. Again, this depends on what you are willing to tackle.

   If you could post a picture, it would help.

   Thanks,

   TTF

    

1. 
   dave40co | Jan 23, 2006 08:57pm | #3

   The brick is very uneven as it is a slump type. I think they are going to go.Thanks for the advice,
   Dave40co

3. 
   CapnMac | Jan 23, 2006 10:35pm | #4

   Welcome to BT!

   You will likely get several opinions on that.

   The 'best' way will depend on how "much" the brick is uneven.  If it's under, say, 3/8", it might be easiest to anchor some lath over the brick, and make a mudbase over the brick.  If it's under, say, 1/8" of variance, you could just put up 1/4" backer board.  If it's over 1/2" (which is hard to imagine, if not impossible), then some sort of semi-framed support for backer board would likely be wanted.

    

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
1. 
   dave40co | Jan 24, 2006 02:40am | #5

   I ended up just putting 1/4 inch backer board on it. I mortared it directly to the bricks. I will check to see how it holds tomorrow. Besides it is at my brothers house and it was his idea to do this, if the tile falls off I'll blame him.Dave40co

1. 
   CapnMac | Jan 24, 2006 02:44am | #6

   Besides it is at my brothers house and it was his idea to do this, if the tile falls off I'll blame him.

   LoL!

   That a 'real' brother or a BIL? <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

1. 
   dave40co | Jan 24, 2006 05:58am | #7

   Real brother, I think this will work. Thanks for all the tips guys!Dave40co

4. 
   xhakr | Jan 24, 2006 07:11am | #8

   I would build a form around the opening with any scrap wood/angle iron laying around.  Back butter the travertine tile (12" x 12"?) with enough thinset mortar to keep the surface of the tiles even.  Hopefully, the brick is not painted.  Otherwise, apply cementitious backerboard w/ tapcons.  You could finish the insides with angle iron (tapconned to the brick) before tiling, or just slather grout into the joint.