The house had an old Black Bart cast-iron fireplace insert. When it worked, it plugged into an outlet and used a blower to push warm air into the room. The blower was shot. The fireplace had not been used in years.

The insert was interesting but it was broken, and a broken fireplace is just a hole in the wall.

Before

After

I pulled the insert and set it aside. It will end up in an outdoor build someday, or maybe a cabin. Good cast iron does not go to waste.

With the insert out, I got into the firebox. The mortar was failing in spots, so I ground it all out with an angle grinder and repointed with refractory cement. That is the material you use when the joint is going to see temperatures above 2,000 degrees. Regular mortar will not hold.

The mantel got a coat of semi-gloss Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. It sits well against the Dove White walls.

Now it works. On a cold Charleston night, that matters.

Details

• Removed non-functional cast-iron Black Bart insert
• Ground out failing mortar with angle grinder
• Repointed firebox with refractory cement rated for high-heat applications
• Repainted mantel in semi-gloss Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore