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Backyard Bonanza, Pt. 1: Building an Outdoor Fireplace A backyard gets transformed with an outdoor fireplace and new water feature. Check out more value-enhancing home-improvement projects from Sweat Equity. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-205

	Before
	After

Jason and Laura Dickman have a couple home improvement projects that need attention. With an overall budget of $7000, however, finishing their basement is out of the question. So they opt for upgrading their landscaping. By doing most of the work themselves, the Dickmans undertake a backyard conversion that they hope will fall within their budget.

The individual projects include:

• an outdoor fireplace
  
• a new water feature
  
• refinishing the deck

The final tally gives the breakdown on this home equity-building project, as well as some value-boosting tips.

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	Before
	After

Building an Outdoor Fireplace

Because a mistake here could cost thousands more to fix, Jason and Laura take landscaper, Dust Hettinger's advice and hire a crew to build their fireplace for $7,000. They cut the cost by helping with the labor.

Below is a summary of the basic steps as seen in this Sweat Equity project, as well as a list of materials and tools used and some installation tips.

Materials:

spray paint
shovel or trench digger
plate compactor
cement mix
cinder blocks
mortar mix
trowel
level
stone veneers
cap rock
dust mask
safety glasses

Safety Alerts:

• Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

• Wear a dust mask when pouring dry concrete.

Tips:

• Consult professional contractors when building a gas fireplace.

• It is best to hire a stonemason for large structures to make sure your fireplace doesn't collapse.

Outdoor Fireplace

Steps:

• Mark the location and size of your fireplace with spray paint. Pick a comfortable place in your yard that is visible from your house and dig a trench for a cement foundation (figure A).

• Use a plate compactor to create a hard surface for the foundation. You can rent one for about $70 a day (figure B).

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

• Mix the cement, and pour it into the trench. Allow the cement to cure for 24 hours.

• Build your foundation using cinder blocks and mortar. Spread two inches of mortar onto the foundation and start setting your blocks (figure C).

• Check level and adjust with more or less mortar as you work (figure D).

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• Let your structure set for 24 hours. Then you can start on your stone veneers.

• Back butter each stone with mortar and drag a line across your mortar with a trowel (figure E). Then set your stones (figure F), using spacers to keep the rocks from touching.

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  The finished fireplace

• Finish the fireplace with a cap rock.

• Hire a licensed contractor to install the log burner.

RESOURCES :

Backyard Adventures
Website: www.backyardadv.com