mantel relocation - DIY Chatroom

Mack V · 10-25-2009, 08:36 PM

I need to locate the mantel supports (brick) about 18" lower than where they are now. The mantel rest on brick supports which is attached to a brick wall. A friend said I might be able to knock the brick ledges off and reattach them to the lower spot. Not sure how they are attached. Anyone have any experience with this?

gregzoll · 10-25-2009, 11:14 PM

Pictures speak more words, then typing what you want. Usually if they are brick, they are going to be placed with mortar.

Mack V · 10-25-2009, 11:41 PM

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3.../fireplace.jpg

gregzoll · 10-26-2009, 12:11 AM

Are you selling the house? That is a nice room, but not showing the part that you are talking about. BTW, you can post the pic directly into your post, instead of 3rd party linking.

Mack V · 10-26-2009, 07:03 AM

Sorry for the larger picture. It is the only one I have. We are buying the home and I used the one from the Realtor website. I will have to take some pictures the next time I am there. From what I recall the bricks that are extended making the ledge looks as if the bricks were not set in between the horizontal run of the brick. I didn't know if it was possible to make a ledge by putting mortar on a edge of a brick and sticking it to a wall or if a hole was drilled into the wall and receiving brick to form a connection. As you can tell I am new to construction.

buletbob · 10-26-2009, 07:26 AM

the bottom brick should be recessed into the wall veneer half way and the next brick should be place full on that one.
Yes you can lower it. you will just need to drill and chisel two bricks out from the wall to rest your support brick.

Mack V · 10-27-2009, 01:03 AM

Thanks Buletbob, can you please explain more what I need to do?

Quote:

Originally Posted by buletbob

the bottom brick should be recessed into the wall veneer half way and the next brick should be place full on that one.
Yes you can lower it. you will just need to drill and chisel two bricks out from the wall to rest your support brick.

buletbob · 10-27-2009, 08:05 AM

mark out where the new brick supports are be cut in. once established take your hammer drill 1/4" or 5/16" drill bit and start to drill around your marks, drill straight all the way around, then drill up and then down connecting the holes together. then with a chisel start chiseling around the brick. mortar the brick into the hole leaving it stick out mid way. level. then add your next brick on top.

Mack V · 10-27-2009, 07:59 PM

Makes sense now. Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buletbob

mark out where the new brick supports are be cut in. once established take your hammer drill 1/4" or 5/16" drill bit and start to drill around your marks, drill straight all the way around, then drill up and then down connecting the holes together. then with a chisel start chiseling around the brick. mortar the brick into the hole leaving it stick out mid way. level. then add your next brick on top.