13
Fireplace Assembly Procedures
Note
- Wipe excess water from surface prior to applying grout.
This will help grout to adhere to surface during assembly.
Warning:
All surfaces where grout is applied must have
water sponged on several minutes prior to assembly. This will
minimize cracking of grout joint and provide maximum strength.
Place the Mason-Lite Fireplace hearth base on top of your non-
combustible floor. For concrete slabs, supporting floor needs to
be rated at ASTM 90.
1) Draw an outline of the hearth area based on the dimensions
shown in
Figure 17
. Position Hearth slabs and mark rebar
center locations. Drill 4 inches into concrete slab and secure
the 8 pieces of 12 inch rebar with epoxy.
Figure 17
Left Side Hearth 2nd
Right Side Hearth 1st
Model
W
MFP39VF 43”
MFP44VF 48”
MFP49VF 53”
W
28”
Apply mortar
between joints
12 inch rebar
2) Mix a batch of mortar and prepare Right Side Hearth bottom
surface to be bonded as shown in
Figure 18
.
Figure 18
1/2” AWAY
FROM EDGES
1/2” MORTAR
BEAD TYPICAL
Hearth section shown prepared
for Right Side position
APPLY MORTAR
BEAD TO ALL
MATING SURFACES
3) Align Right Side Hearth to the outline created. The overall
width should allow for an approximate gap of 1/8” between
slabs for the additional mortar to unite the remaining slab.
Check for surface flatness, level if necessary.
4) Apply mortar to the remaining Hearth except this time apply
beading on surface to be facing floor as shown in
Figure
19
.
Figure 19
Hearth shown prepared
for Left Side position
5) Prepare side wall and rear wall mating surfaces with the
prepared mortar and begin assembly.
Figure 20
1/2” AWAY
FROM EDGES
6)
Keep the assembly of the next sections of the firebox side
walls moving up, keeping components moist, mixing mortar
as you need it and threading the mortar appropriately as
you stack each section, one onto the next. Constantly check
for squareness and levelness while building each course of
block. As you complete each section, make certain that you
adhere the mortar at each and every joint.
Figure 21
Apply
mortar
Apply mortar
Side Wall
Rear Wall
Side Wall
7) When you have arranged all the components into place
and you are working on the top rear firebox, check that
your work is level. If you need to, you can make some
adjustments in the top surface of the box assembly
simply by using shims. Once you are satisfied with the
degree of levelness, you can address any gap that may
have occurred with an appropriate amount of mortar.
Although you are cautioned to use Mason-Lite mortar
sparingly because it does have such holding power, you
should look over the firebox assembly at the end and
fill any gaps with mortar especially at joint connections.
Adjustments must be made to ensure the fireplace is level
and square while the mortar is still wet.
