Hey all! I am planning to install a limestone mantle this spring once the fire burning is over. I have two pieces cut to length (#1 = 8" X 20" X 2.5" and # 2 = 8" X 46" X 2.5") I have 2 bricks mortared (sp?) onto the brick wall to support each piece. When I went to place each of the limestone pieces one of the bricks was loose and I had to do a quick catch to prevent catastrophe to the stove. The shorter (#1) piece is in place but I am going to have to come up with a support for the longer one(#2). My brother thinks that if we use mortar-patch to remount the brick then it will be fine. My best friend said I should drill holes into the brick on both sides and use a bolt as rebar to make it stronger. My problems are these: 1. If I go to drilling holes it is going to be difficult to get everything level, even and "pretty"; 2. I don't know if the bricks will support the weight; 3. As of now the shorter piece (#1) is supported fine but I wouldn't be opposed to strengthening the supports but I am unsure of as to how; 4. Neither my brother or my best friend spent $4000 to get my Hearthstone Heritage installed nor will they be very quick to monetarily support a "redo" if it is destroyed!! 
Additional info: Each brick that is mortared to the wall is sitting on a brick that is mortered at a 90 degree angle half into the wall and half out so the brick that it will sit on is 2 bricks thick for half of the brick and 1 brick thick for the outer half. The brick that came loose is the top brick on the longer run.
Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions are appreciated
As always, thanks for everyone's time.
Additional info: Each brick that is mortared to the wall is sitting on a brick that is mortered at a 90 degree angle half into the wall and half out so the brick that it will sit on is 2 bricks thick for half of the brick and 1 brick thick for the outer half. The brick that came loose is the top brick on the longer run.
Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions are appreciated
As always, thanks for everyone's time.
