Mortar is not Glue

Did you know that the space around a masonry fireplace, also known as the outer hearth (the entire interior area around and above your hearth), and the fireplace face is not a part of the building of the chimney, but rather it is a feature of your home? Whether you accept it as fact or not, it is.

The portion of your hearth that is located within the interior of your home is referred to as the fireplace face, while the chimney stack is considered an outside feature. Understanding it might be challenging for a great number of people. It is impossible to understand without having a picture of it, and this is true even inside the chimney and fireplace sector. A more in-depth explanation is coming up, but before we do, it would be helpful if you had some background knowledge of bricks and mortar.

Mortar is sometimes referred to as the “glue that keeps bricks together,” however contrary to popular belief, mortar is NOT an adhesive glue. Even though it has nothing to do with the installation of the TV above your fireplace, we thought we’d share with you a video that provides a more in-depth explanation of what mortar is, how it came to be used as a bonding material hundreds of years ago, and why it’s still used every day on construction sites like ours. If you’re the type of person who enjoys learning new things as much as we do, check it out!

The primary function of mortar is that of a filler for gaps. A bonding material that, after it fills the crevices in between bricks or blocks, hardens to form the structure. It turns into a tight-fitting and robust structure when the bricks and blocks interlock with the mortar. During the process of building a chimney, the workers will frequently begin by constructing the fireplace and chimney structure. After waiting a week, they will then return to finish building the outer fireplace hearth, creating two distinct structures that are only connected to one another with mortar.

The bricks or blocks that are visible on and around your fireplace are not truly joined to the chimney that is located behind it; rather, they are only gently bonded with a thin layer of mortar that is located between the interior and the external structures. The outward “tall tower” component of a chimney may start to lean or tilt after years of neglectful care, causing it to draw away from the house. When this occurs, the stack of bricks pulls away from the mortar, as well.

A/C & Televisions Avoid Combining
There is no way for a television or any other electronic device to coexist peacefully with heat. This also holds true for any other electronic device. When it comes to mounting your television above your fireplace, it is best to play it safe and know which types of fireplaces are less likely to cause you problems with overheating and which types you should avoid mounting a tv above. This will help you determine which fireplaces you can safely mount your television above.

Why is it that a TV mount cannot be used in a fireplace that has a gas insert or a wood stove? Because of the way that these things generate a great deal of heat, it can be harmful to the sensitive electrical components that are included within the television. Always consult an expert for assistance when you are unsure of anything. If you have any concern or inquiries but is not sure you can call Local chimney Sweep Cleaning to help you. We also offer professional Chimney Cleaning West Point and repairing.

Fireplace Mantel with a Mirror West Point
Traditional Style Fireplace West Point