Preparing an uneven stone hearth for tiling

[Angush]

Hello,

I have knocked out a fireplace (with great help from this group). It will only be decorative. The builders opening will all be boarded and skimmed. I would like to tile the old hearth (removing it is not an option, and neither is keeping it- drill holes).

What would be the best way to level this hearth for tiling? it slopes front to back and there are large gaps between it and the floorboards (which will be left exposed).

I was thinking to screw a concrete board to the hearth, that would sort the gaps but not the slope- not sure If I mind about the slope as its not too steep.

Any advice appreciated!

Cheers
A

 

[Wayners]

Floor lever. Self leveling type as good stuff.
Wire wool and meths to clean first.
Consider vent or will get wet inside chimney from condensation.

 

[23vc]

Clean it up and tile straight onto it with a decent adhesive. Sort the level out by adjusting the adhesive thickness where needed. Might need a primer too, depending on hearth material/adhesive instructions.

 

[Angush]

thanks both. how would you sort the edges out? where the hearth joins the floor there is a cm gap.... some kind of beading cover it ? overhang the tiles slightly just to cover the gap (its only 1cm).

any links to a suitable self level would be great as there is a lot of options. I haven't used it before... will it need shuttering to stop running off the sides of the hearth or is it easy to work with and will stay within the hearth boundary relatively easy?
cheers

 

[23vc]

Yes a bead. But you might have more fun and games if the wood floor isn’t level

 

[Angush]

Yes a bead. But you might have more fun and games if the wood floor isn’t level

so not advisable to tile slightly over the hearth edge?

 

[23vc]

Yes that’s fine, whatever works for how you want it to look. If it’s having a working fire on it check hearth size requirements

 

[Angush]

Yes that’s fine, whatever works for how you want it to look. If it’s having a working fire on it check hearth size requirements

thank you very much, can you advise on using self levelling. will I need to shutter the sides as the current hearth level is flush with the floor. or is there another way

 

[23vc]

Personally I’d just use (bagged) adhesive, and use that to level the tiles as you go, as it’s such a small area.
You could SLC it though by shuttering it so it doesn’t run out. Again, check SLC instructions for primer requirements on the hearth material.