How do you complete a fireplace renovation?

To complete a fireplace renovation, pick up the necessary tools, clean the fireplace and refinish the mantle. Work with an existing mantle or add a new mantlepiece for a new look.

To renovate a fireplace, run through the following steps.

1. Gather tools and supplies

Essential tools and supplies include protective gear such as gloves, a face mask and goggles, cleaning supplies such as a vacuum, scrub brush and tri-sodium phosphate and painting supplies such as brushes, sandpaper and paint.

2. Uncover the fireplace

If the fireplace is sealed in, remove any boards, plaster or drywall covering the area.

3. Put on protective gear

Put on protective gear such as gloves, goggles and face masks.

4. Clean removable parts

Remove parts such as grates and scrub them outside with a scrub brush. Polish metal parts with metal polish.

5. Clean the fireplace

Clean away any soot with a fireplace shovel. Scrub the surface of the fireplace with a brush and vacuum any remaining debris. To deep clean the fireplace and restore the brickwork, scrub the surface with a mixture of tri-sodium phosphate, bleach and water.

6. Apply a mantlepiece

If there is no existing mantle or the existing molding is damaged beyond repair, install a new mantlepiece above the fireplace.

7. Refinish the mantlepiece

To refinish the mantlepiece, sand down the wood and apply one or more coats of paint.