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Hi,
As shown in the picture, my fire place is burnt and in a poor condition. The debris shown in the picture are falling occasionally. Need some suggestion on what can be used to fix the burnt wall and stop the debris falling.
Hi @Sakar,
First of all, is the fireplace still in use? That will really determine the safest and most effective way to deal with it.
For a burnt surface, the only way to restore it is to clean it with an abrasive tool or paint it. Painting can give a refreshed look, but if the surface beneath isn’t sound, the paint is likely to peel or flake over time.
As for the debris falling from the fireplace, it looks like the mortar and brick inside the chimney are deteriorating. If the fireplace is no longer in use, one practical option is to board up the top of the fireplace to block the chimney and stop debris from falling. This could be done with a board secured with brackets into the brickwork. For the bricks inside the fireplace, removing loose material and then painting can improve appearance, but keep in mind that it may need periodic touch-ups as the masonry continues to degrade.
Another option, if you’re not planning to use the fireplace again, is to block it off and repurpose the space, for example, with a decorative board or a small shelving unit.
If the fireplace is still in use, the safest approach is to get a professional to assess the chimney. They can identify where the masonry is breaking down and advise on whether it can be repaired and safely put back into service.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Since the fireplace isn’t in use @Sakar, there’s a lot of flexibility to turn it into a decorative feature. The easiest approach is to board off the fireplace opening entirely and paint it to suit the room. From there, you can get creative depending on the look you want. Some people turn the space into a small bookcase, display nook, or even a feature shelf. You could also paint the inside a contrasting colour or add decorative items to give it some depth and interest.
It’s worth spending some time online looking for inspiration, as there are plenty of examples of old fireplaces repurposed in clever ways. Essentially, it comes down to how you want this space to feel and what you’d like to showcase there.
Below, I've created a rendering of a recessed bookshelf you could insert into the area.
Mitchell
