Opening up a fireplace

[Aardvaak]

I am about to open up a fireplace that was filled in some years ago in an old farmhouse and on an old copy of estate agents details was described as a low grate hearth with brick surround.
Can anyone please give me any suggestions as to how to go about this?

 

[Moz]

Aardvaak
be very careful that it has a lintel in or the brick arch is spot on before you remove the new brickwork , as the lot could come tumbling down

 

[AndersonC]

I am considering the same in one of my reception rooms. In order to establish whether a lintel is present I shall simply remove all the plaster (well, lime render) from the breast to see what is there. This will be greatly facilitated by the fact that the render is already blown.

 

[Aardvaak]

I have the same problem my plaster is blown too! I think possibly because of damp coming down the chimney. In my opinion I thought I hav'nt got a lot to lose as the plaster/wall will have to be sorted anyway.