Fireplace surround

[manyae]

Hi guys,
I am doing this fireplace project. I will be having a gas insert placed. The goal is for slate tile on the hearth and mosaics on the brick. I have done kitchen & bath remodels but this is my first fp. I was a little shocked the tile was super thick & under the brick! The house was built in 1928. Any hints on how to cut the tile around the brick? Can I grind down the high spots of that stuff underneath & thinset cement board to it or ? For over the lovely painted brick, would the best plan be to attach 1/4 in cement board with tap cons?
Thanks so much! I appreciate the help,
Manya

[ScottIdaho]

Cut the tile around the brick? Are you talking about how to remove the remaining tile on the floor that runs into the brick in the vertical? IF so, how about using an angle grinder to cut it right at the turn to vertical.

Now, as to the brick - why cover with CBU using tapcons? Brick is technically an acceptable substrate for tile. That is, assuming the bricks were properly installed an none are loose. I would skimcoat the brick with thinset, very light coat just to fill in the voids. I would knock down any bumps or high spots in the brick with a chisel or angle grinder.

[Davestone]

You probably missed that he says the brick was painted Scott.It doesn't look painted to me though.
Any way to scrape the paint?Brick is so rough i have found you can use a paint remover.Then use a high alkaline wash,then rinse and use thinset over it.

[manyae]

Thanks for the info.

Yes, what is the best way to cut the inch thick terra cotta type tile that runs under the brick?

Is that concrete under the tile? Should I pull that out & put in plywood & concrete board?

Best thinset for over the brick, modified?

Thanks!

[Davestone]

As Scott said you can use an angle grinder,or just a chisel.I can't tell myself if it's concrete,does it sound hollow.What is your wood floor on?Can you drive a nail into it?
If it wasn't cracked before i would leave whatever is there,which i think is the thinset,and thinset over it with Modified thinsed.If you need to raise the height you could use cement board but you shouldn't just thinset it, it isn't recommended,it needs to be screwed in.

[manyae]

Okay pulled up a section of the concrete stuff underneath and now brick!

Can i leave the rest in place, pull out any loose material and put in some self leveling product and tile over that? I am trying to avoid my friends saying I told you so that a woman shouldn't attempt this!!

Thanks!!

[Davestone]

Now you've done it!!

You have succesfully opened the proverbial can o worms.
I think the white mud needs to go as a start.
Basically you want a solid floor.If the brick is secured to the slab,you are fine.If it is loose it needs to go.
If it solid you need to redo a mudbed over it by using slc,or a drypack and thinset to adhere it to the brick,to bring it up to where the tile is even as you know.
If it is loose and you take it out and it is concrete use the advice above.

If it comes out and is plywood you should use a felt paper,wire lathe,then drypack.Orr slc,and whatever primer,or prep they recommend.

Or use plywood to bring it up high enough that cbu will give you the desired height before tiling.