Houseworks: Refacing a fireplace 

Published Oct 16, 2024  •  3 minute read

Mini electric chainsaws are an up-and-coming power tool option that’s ideal for trimming branches, cutting up small tree limbs and for rough cuts in renovations.  Photo by Photo Robert Maxwell 

Q Any advice on replacing the stone on my fireplace? The inside is made of refractory brick and is in good shape. I’ve removed the old stone and I’m ready to rebuild. 

A Refacing this fireplace certainly looks doable from the photos you sent. The only issue is whether or not there’s sufficient foundation area in front of the existing masonry to support the new stone. I suspect there would be, based on the photos you sent. 

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If this were my project, I’d tie the new stone with the existing refractory fire brick that’s still standing. The best option I know of involves building a bit of stonework (say, six inches high), then bore a hole in the existing masonry for a metal tie. I’d use eight-inch galvanized spikes. Bore the hole larger than needed, inject some anchoring epoxy, insert the spike (it will be right at a mortar joint, since it’s right on top of a stone you just laid) then continue building more stone. I’d place spikes every foot or so horizontally, and every foot or so upwards as your stonework rises. 

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Balcony floor upgrade 

Q What’s the best way to eliminate the problem of pooled water that remains in the dips and hollows of my apartment balcony? Would a layer of composite deck materials work to get up above the pooled water? 

A Yes, you certainly can put composite over concrete, and I’ve seen it done on a few apartment balconies. The thing is, many apartments won’t let you fasten anything to the balcony floor. The installation you’d have built would need to be free floating.  

If I would doing this job, I’d cut and lay down a strip of composite on the concrete 12” apart. These strips would have to be thick enough for the screws used with some kind of hidden fastener system. Strips 3/4” thick will do the job along with one type of hidden fastening system that I’ve used a lot. Trex composite lumber is available with grooved edges made to accept proprietary plastic fittings that interlock with the grooves and accept a small screw. Just to be sure, I’d also use some PL Premium construction adhesive along with the screws. Taken together, all this will raise you up over the pooled water, while also remaining firm under foot. 

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You’ll still have the dips in the concrete, but you’ll be up and out of the water laying below. It’ll dry through the gaps between boards. 

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Tools for trimming branches 

Q What’s the best power tool to use for cutting small branches so they’ll feed properly into a wood chipper? Is a cordless mini-chainsaw or a reciprocating saw better? 

A That’s a great question and there’s no doubt about my answer. A mini-chainsaw is by far the better of the two for the kind of trimming you have in mind. The cut is faster and much easier than a recip saw, which has a tendency to make the branch you’re cutting move back and forth instead of getting cut. I really like my mini chainsaw for use with my chipper, and I use it for all kinds of other things. It’s perfect for trimming branches off bushes and for removing low-hanging tree branches, but there’s one thing to keep in mind. 

Unlike with a gas saw, you need to keep an eye on the reservoir holding the chain oil. Gas-powered saws have reservoirs holding just large enough oil to last between tankfuls of gas, so when it’s time to fuel up you automatically add more chain oil in the right place. But with an electric saw you don’t get that reminder. It’s not the end of the world if you run out of chain oil for a few cuts, but try not to let this happen. 

Steve Maxwell uses his mini-chainsaw regularly on his Manitoulin Island, Ontario acreage. Visit him online at baileylineroad.com and join 31,000 people who get his twice-weekly home improvement newsletter. 

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