So with the adhesive mixed, and the holes drilled I stuck it all back together again. I also used a little of the adhesive as filler between the panels were I could and it now looks like this:
Whilst it still needs a touch of caulk in places and then the adhesive sanding flat, I'm quite pleased with how it's gone. It's even stopped the fireplace whistling for now too!
So with the adhesive drying, my attention turned to the grouting. This is not something I've been looking forward too, as I dislike pointing, grouting and other fiddly activities like that. I also wasn't sure how the black cement dye would work and what it would stain. But it needed doing, so I mixed a small tub of mortar and chucked in what I suspect was far too much dye. But it did indeed turn the mortar black, along with the bucket, the trowel and my hands. Thankfully, it turns out it does wash off. Equally, it turns out to not stain slate either. That's the thing that had me most worried, that I would end up applying it, only to later clean it back to find the slate stained a funny colour.
But my worrying was for nowt as it turns out. The grout went in easily when my little helper wasn't in the way, and it cleaned up just as easily too. To keep things as neat as I could, I did end up having to almost paint a border along the mortar joints in places to keep it all even. The stains on the plaster will get sanded back and painted over later.
The lines look a touch wavy in the photo as the grout hadn't fully dried yet, and wet slate goes black. But overall, I'm quite happy with it.
The next update won't be for a few days as I'm now awaiting the delivery of the stove, flue liner and other bits and bobs. I also need to contact Building Control to arrange that side of things. So hopefully, I'll soon have a fitted functioning stove.
