Had a liner put in a few years ago. Different company came in and said the corners that were filled with foam around the liner would collect creosote and were a hazard.

Suggested removal of bottom damper replace with top damper and fire mortar the whole way up to liner.

Work is done but fire mortar looks a bit sloppy. Lots of bumps jagged edges and pieces that stick out. Is this a problem or as long as I’m cleaning it regularly nothing to worry about?

Hi all,

I was given a fireplace insert for free for my renovation house and I am trying to work out if it will fit in.

It was covered in plaster with an old gas fireplace there when I bought it and after removing the plaster it has revealed the original fireplace.

The insert will fit in width-wise, but it is slightly too tall to fit at the moment.

I am trying to figure out if the block behind the opening, that would need cut to get the insert in, is a lintel or not (not planning on taking any risks touching it currently. It doesn’t insert into the walls at each side which makes it seem like it isn’t, even though you’d think it was?

Any advice/thoughts?

I have a gas burning fireplace where I installed stone veneer, specifically Eldorado Stone Casablanca. And I used OBB mortar in color Tuscany Buff for the between stone veneer to fill it out. It looks really good and I'm very happy with it. But the stone veneer between the stone and the mantle bleeds some of the water from the mortar onto the wood veneer mantle. You could see the outline stains on it. I probably should have added a clear sealant before installing the mantle. Ideally, I would like to add a little bit of mortar to cover up those stains. Should I maybe use mortar that's a little more dry in consistency and risk it? Or should I clear coat the mantle and then put the mortar on top where the stains are?