Ahoy there fire fellows!
Am new to this so go gently ... or not ;O) I'm sure the answers are lurking in other posts but it would be helpful to have opinions specific to the pictures I'm posting.
We've recently moved into a 1930's house which has an original (but not contemporary) 1884/1885 Victorian fire place ... according to the Rd mark.
At the moment it's rigged up with a bodge job gas feed which we will strip out as we want to convert it to an open solid fuel fire (i.e. not a stove).
Anyway, a few questions if I may.
I've been told the slate hearth (picture attached) needs to be ripped out as it's a solid piece and will crack when we start burning logs. Seems a shame .. will this likely happen? It's been suggested that sections granite would be a better option.
If not, there's a stain we've managed to get on it from a plant pot ... any ideas how we can get rid of it?!
The fireplace itself is supposed to be black but in parts it appears red as if the black covering has worn away (picture attached). Is that normal and what can I use to return it to it's original blackness? I assume if I use something like boot polish it will mark anything which touches (fingers, clothes etc!) it so perhaps there's a better product.
Anyway, thanks in advance for any comments and I take my punishment (also in advance) for any errors!
Spoon
Am new to this so go gently ... or not ;O) I'm sure the answers are lurking in other posts but it would be helpful to have opinions specific to the pictures I'm posting.
We've recently moved into a 1930's house which has an original (but not contemporary) 1884/1885 Victorian fire place ... according to the Rd mark.
At the moment it's rigged up with a bodge job gas feed which we will strip out as we want to convert it to an open solid fuel fire (i.e. not a stove).
Anyway, a few questions if I may.
I've been told the slate hearth (picture attached) needs to be ripped out as it's a solid piece and will crack when we start burning logs. Seems a shame .. will this likely happen? It's been suggested that sections granite would be a better option.
If not, there's a stain we've managed to get on it from a plant pot ... any ideas how we can get rid of it?!
The fireplace itself is supposed to be black but in parts it appears red as if the black covering has worn away (picture attached). Is that normal and what can I use to return it to it's original blackness? I assume if I use something like boot polish it will mark anything which touches (fingers, clothes etc!) it so perhaps there's a better product.
Anyway, thanks in advance for any comments and I take my punishment (also in advance) for any errors!
Spoon