Go over the entire area with a wire brush to dislodge any loose mortar then scrub off the soot with a rag soaked in white vinegar.
Ceramic tile over brick fireplace.
Use painter s tape to mask off.
Place drop cloths over the hearth and the floor.
If possible you should remove the existing mantel for easier tile.
Materials needed to tile over brick fireplace new tile wire brush thin set mortar bucket mixing paddle small trowel large trowel tile spacers grout use unsanded for glass tile grout sponge grout float tile caulk caulk gun.
Clean and prepare existing brick.
Widen the mantel so that it hung over each side of the surround by 3 inches add shadow boxes vertically and horizontally on the surround as well as on the front and sides of.
Steps for tiling over a brick fireplace.
Cover the hearth with a drop cloth and remove the mantel and anything else that s attached to the brick.