Throughout lockdown, lots of people have been trying their hand at upgrading the cosmetic appearance of their homes. While some people have kept things simple by putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, others have been taking on some more challenging tasks, like exposing their fireplaces and creating a real feature in a living room or dining room to try and add more character to their home.
The team at Glowing Embers consulted with a DIY expert having seen a recent rise in exposing brickwork trends. Speaking with Lisa Evans, spokesperson for MyJobQuote, we were able to drill down on how to effectively turn your existing fireplace into a masterpiece, whilst offering newby DIYers some first hand experience on the job.
What is the process of exposing brickwork around a fireplace?
Although the process of exposing the brickwork around a fireplace is relatively straightforward, you need to follow certain steps to make sure that you complete the job to the highest possible standard. The following eight steps to mastering this can be found below:
Step one – Examine the state of the brick you wish to expose before starting. If your brickwork is in poor condition, you may need to consult with a specialist before you start the work.
Step two – Protect the floor nearest the wall by covering it with sheeting. This will help stop it from scratching or chipping as bits of plaster fall from the wall. Plus, it makes the cleaning process quicker.
Step three – Start breaking up the plaster with a masonry chisel and hammer.
Step four – Once you have removed most of the plaster, you can then focus on the tough sections that remain. If you have some sections that refuse to come away, try using a sharp knife.
Step five – Once all the plaster has been removed, use a wire brush to go over the exposed wall. This will remove any small bits of plaster and sediment.
Step six – Once you’ve cleared the wall, spread a mild detergent on the brickwork.
Step seven – Leave this solution on the brickwork for 5-10 minutes and then wipe it away with a wet sponge.
Step eight – Finally, use one or two coats of brick sealant on the newly exposed wall. This will help to protect it.
Before and after exposing fireplace. Credit: @1930shousetohome
When it comes to staying safe, ensure you follow health and safety measures.
If your brickwork is crumbling, you should consult a structural engineer first before tackling the job yourself. It goes without saying that wearing the necessary equipment such as goggles (to protect your eyes), a respirator (your breathing) and finally gloves.
It’s always worth double checking the manufacturers instructions on the brick sealant for accurate quantities and safety steps you will need to follow.
Planning ahead can also give you the time you will need to get most of the work done, as a guide, it usually takes 6 – 8 hours to expose brickwork around a standard fireplace and chimney breast (5ft W X 9ft H) and this timescale also includes the clean up process too.
Search data from Glowing Embers, has also found a large increase in the number of people putting their DIY skills to the test with people tackling fireplaces in particular. The following table gives a breakdown of search terms which have recently risen:
| Search term | June 2019 search volume | June 2020 search volume | YOY increase |
| “expose brickwork” | 1,630 searches per month | 4,060 searches per month | +149% |
| “exposed brick fireplace” | 410 searches per month | 970 searches per month | +136% |
| “exposing brick wall” | 2,660 searches per month | 6,160 searches per month | +132% |
Lisa says people should be careful to not rush into exposing the brickwork as she comments:
“If you’re pulling the plaster off the wall then you need to make sure you’re not doing it aggressively. If you’re too aggressive and try to get the job done quickly with big swings of the hammer and chisel, you could damage the brickwork underneath.
“Once you have completed the job, don’t apply the sealant before you hoover all the dust and debris. Otherwise, some of this may blow up and catch on the sealant as it dries.”
“If you head to your local DIY shop, you should be able to get all of the tools you require for exposing brickwork quickly and easily. Plus, because you don’t need any power tools, you don’t have to spend a fortune, either.”
Richard Fewings, spokesman for Glowing Embers commented:
“We have seen a surge in fireplace DIY trends, so we thought it would be really useful to give expert advice to people looking to expose brickwork for the first time, to ensure you get your fireplace looking spectacular.
Remember to wear the correct equipment and use the right tools. Consult a professional if you are not sure!”
