Every backyard has that one feature that could be amazing with a little love. For us, it was the outdoor fireplace. It had been sitting in the corner of the patio for years, stained with soot, missing chunks of mortar, and surrounded by a fence that had seen better days. This fall, we finally rolled up our sleeves and gave the whole space a makeover. Here is exactly how we did it, what we learned, and the help we brought in to finish the job.
Where We Started
The fireplace itself was solid, but it looked tired. Black soot streaked the front of the stone, the mortar joints had cracked and crumbled in several spots, and the hearth had a few loose pieces that wobbled when you stepped on them. The firebox was full of old ash, and the chimney cap had rusted through.
Behind it, the wooden fence that wraps around our patio was in rough shape. Years of sun, wind, and weather had faded the boards to a dull gray. Several pickets were cracked or warped, a couple of posts were leaning, and one section sagged noticeably near the gate. Even if we made the fireplace look perfect, that fence was going to drag the whole space down.
Step 1: Inspect Before You Start
Before buying any supplies, take a close look at the structure. Check for cracks that run through the stone or brick rather than just the mortar, look for signs of shifting or settling, and make sure the chimney is clear of nests and debris. Small cosmetic issues are perfect DIY projects. Large structural cracks, a leaning chimney, or a gas fireplace with any burner or valve problems are jobs for a professional mason or gas technician.
In our case, the problems were cosmetic, so we moved ahead.
Step 2: Clean Out and Scrub Down
We started by shoveling out the old ash and sweeping out the firebox. Then we tackled the soot. Here is what worked best for us:
- Dry-brush loose soot first with a stiff nylon brush so you are not just smearing it around.
- Mix a bucket of warm water with a heavy-duty masonry cleaner or a strong dish soap and scrub the stone in small sections.
- For stubborn stains, a paste of baking soda and water left on for 15 minutes before scrubbing made a real difference.
- Rinse with a garden hose on a gentle setting. Avoid a high-pressure washer on old mortar, since it can blast out the joints you are trying to save.
Let everything dry completely, ideally for a couple of sunny days, before moving on.
Step 3: Repoint the Mortar Joints
Repointing simply means removing damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar. It is the single biggest upgrade you can make to the look and life of a masonry fireplace.
- Use a cold chisel and hammer, or a grinder with a masonry blade, to remove crumbling mortar to a depth of about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch.
- Brush and mist the joints with water so the old masonry does not suck moisture out of the new mortar too fast.
- Mix a small batch of Type N or Type S mortar to a peanut-butter consistency. For areas exposed to direct flame, use refractory mortar instead.
- Press the mortar firmly into the joints with a pointing trowel, filling them completely.
- Once the mortar is thumbprint-firm, tool the joints with a jointer to match the original profile, then brush away the crumbs.
Work in small sections and keep the new mortar out of direct hot sun while it cures. We lightly misted ours for the first couple of days to help it cure evenly.
Step 4: Fix the Hearth and Replace the Cap
For the loose hearth stones, we lifted each one, scraped off the old mortar, and reset it in a fresh bed of mortar, using a level to keep everything flush. We also replaced the rusted chimney cap with a new stainless steel cap and spark arrestor, which keeps out rain and critters and helps stop embers from escaping. That last detail matters a lot here, where wind is a fact of life.
Step 5: Seal and Refresh
After the mortar had cured for about a week, we applied a breathable, water-based masonry sealer to the exterior stone. It brought back the natural color of the stone and will help keep soot and moisture from soaking in. Do not seal the inside of the firebox, since most sealers are not rated for direct flame.
The Fence
With the fireplace looking fresh, the fence behind it stood out more than ever, and not in a good way. We considered tackling it ourselves, but leaning posts and a sagging section near the gate felt like a job for people who do this every day. We called Amarillo Fencing Pros, and they were a great help.
The crew reset and secured the leaning posts so the whole run stands straight again, replaced the cracked and warped pickets, and fixed the sagging section so the gate swings and latches properly. Then they cleaned the old boards and gave the entire fence a fresh stain. The difference is honestly hard to believe. The fence looks brand new, and the warm wood tone completely brightened up the space. Instead of a gray, tired backdrop, the fireplace now sits against clean, rich wood that makes the stone pop.
If your fence is dragging down an otherwise beautiful outdoor area, it is worth getting it repaired and refreshed. It changes the feel of the whole backyard.
Finishing Touches
To pull everything together, we added:
- A pair of weather-resistant lounge chairs and a small side table facing the fire
- Warm string lights anchored to the fence posts
- Large planters with ornamental grasses and evergreen shrubs on either side of the fireplace
- A metal log holder to keep firewood off the ground and away from the fence
Safety Reminders
Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand nearby, never leave a fire unattended, and check local burn rules before lighting up, especially on windy, dry days. Keep plants, furniture, and the fence a safe distance from the firebox, and make sure ashes are completely cold before disposing of them.
The Result
What used to be the most neglected corner of our yard is now where we spend almost every cool evening. A weekend of scrubbing and mortar work brought the fireplace back to life, and the fence repair from Amarillo Fencing Pros made the whole space feel brand new. If you have an outdoor fireplace that has seen better days, start with a good cleaning, fix the mortar, and do not overlook what is behind it. The backdrop matters just as much as the fire itself.
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