Inside Dome Repair

[james]

Mortar bag; light. Mortar; heavy.

Jim, you are in the land of brick fireplaces -- I hope you can find a good local firebrick mortar.

While you are at it, can you send me some concrete balusters. They are incredibly expensive here.

James

[Xabia Jim]

Yeah Dutch you're right....no don't send me one, I'll find a way. I'm not in a hurry yet...

James, .....I could send you pallets of those....and so many designs to choose from! Now come to think of it....you're already shipping heavy stuff from Italy....what's a couple more pallets?

[CanuckJim]

XJ, Frances,

Using a grout bag is certainly faster, but the mortar must be pretty goopy to get it to flow, and you must use the finest grain brick sand you can find, unless you're using Refmix or similar. Can be a sloppy operation, so put cardboard on the hearth. I have some bags kicking around as well, XJ, if you're in need and Dutch can't find his. Frances, the joints are tooled using a pointing trowel for two reasons: 1. by pushing in with the trowel, you will find any areas that have air pockets (you want the joints to be completely full), 2. the pressure and repeated swiping across the mortar from the steel trowel draws remaining water to the surface of the joint and makes it shine. This shiny bit is much stronger when cured than it would be otherwise (just left rough, ie.).

Jim

[gjbingham]

CJim,
As I look inside my oven, I see a few joints between bricks that don't have mortar showing in the joint. Do you consider it worthwhile to get inside there and work mortar into those areas?
Thanks!

[CanuckJim]

George,

Yes, I do, and here's why: You don't want the sharp corners and edges of the brick directly exposed to flame. They will get very hot indeed, and that will lead to spalling over time. It's a hassle, but I'd fill them.

Jim

[gjbingham]

I wonder if I can get Wayne to take some pills and get inside my oven and fill them?

[RCLake]

It's been over a week since I was in my oven cleaning up aroung the keystone and my neck is still sore.
Hopefully I won't have to get back in it anytime soon.

[gjbingham]

Other than my legs hanging out off the landing, it doesn't seem to bother me. Its just harder than hell getting in there in the first place.

[Acoma]

Guys, you won't catch me inside the oven without someone to pull me out by my legs. No way!

[gjbingham]

Wiggle, Robert, wiggle. It's that point where your back is about to break backwards over the landing as you try to get out that you start to second guess getting in there in the first place. I suggest the roll on your tummy technique as you exit, and protect your family jewels at all cost.