How do I fill this gap?


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Old 11-27-16, 03:55 PM
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How do I fill this gap?

My end goal is to tile over the brick and the exposed gap between the drywall and the brick.

The problem is that I don't know how to fill the gap and build up the masonry to be all on the same plane.

The top portion above the firebox appears to be smoothed mortar over brick. Below the firebox there are cinder blocks. The sides, where the biggest gaps are, appear to be made up of heavily mortared bricks. The mortar is lumpy, bumpy and uneven. Towards the top (what looks like a black rectangle) is a huge gap large enough for my entire first to fit into.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on how to deal with this issue and get the surface ready for tiling.

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Old 11-28-16, 02:24 AM
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Welcome to the forums!

How deep are the holes? Can you mortar a brick into the hole? Stuffing wire lath into the hole and a couple of coats of mortar over it might be an acceptable fix. Hopefully some of the others will have better suggestions.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 05:10 AM
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Stuff it full of wire mesh, chicken wire, hardware cloth or whatever you have and then find a Thickset mortar that can be applied heavier than thinset. Bed mortar is available at the orange store and not too expensive however the bag will be way more than you need. Sand Topping mix (in the cement aisle) will also work. Mix it drier than you think it should be. Google videos about building a shower floor with preslope for tile to see consistency to mix your mortar.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 07:03 AM
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I think the space is just right for one more brick, its almost like they ran out of bricks and so they just drywalled over the opening.
But even once I fill the hole itself, could I use the same mortar mix to them build up the entire vertical gap until its flush with the white bricks?
 
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Old 11-28-16, 07:06 AM
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I don't see why not although it might take more than one coat of mud - applied too thick it's prone to crack.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 07:07 AM
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Could I use this:
Rapid Set 25 lb. Cement All Multi-Purpose Construction Material-02020025 - The Home Depot

To fill in the hole and then also build up the mortar that is already there until it is flush with the white bricks?
 
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Old 11-28-16, 07:35 AM
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I added a few more photos

Vertical space on the side of firebox, brick and lots of mortar between firebox and first stud.
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Above fireplace the bricks are about 1.5" past mortar that has been smoothed over bricks.
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Old 11-28-16, 09:11 AM
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Is the brick level with the wall or proud of it? I'm wondering if furring strips and wonder board might be a better way to go.
 
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Old 11-28-16, 09:21 AM
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the brick protrudes about 1.5" above the cinderblock and the top smoothed area, in some areas around the sides where the mortar is low its more like 2.5".

Here's what I'm thinking:
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Old 11-28-16, 09:25 AM
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I'm a painter not a mason or tile guy but I'd think applying mortar 1.5"-2" thick is too thick for it to be a viable option.
 
 

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