Chimney cladding

Hi

New to DIY, new to posting - please forgive the dumb questions....

We have just bought a 1930s semi and are redecorating it. The sitting room has a chimney breast that juts into the room, and some bright spark has put cement bricks all around the fireplace and up the wall - obviously in a 1970s fit of creativity!! We can't do any redecorating, or lay any carpet until this is off as the stuff they've use is quite thick and it looks revolting. What is the best method of removing this? Chisel and hammer? Dynamite? Would we then have to get the wall plastered before we paint it? The rest of the sitting room has equally delightful pattened wallpaper which we will be stripping off before lining then repainting - again, can't do this until chimney monstrosity is sorted.

It's on a party wall but the neighbour doesn't really care what we do so some daytime banging shouldn't be an issue!

Thanks, in grateful expectation!

try out the lump hammer and bolster or cold chisel approach first.
if the offending masonry proves too stubborn then hire a small electric hammer.

it is quite likely the wall will need attention after this episode, but if you are dry lining the rest of the walls then there's no reason why a little filling and dry lining paper won't do for the chimney breast also.

Hi

Thanks for that. Puts my mind at rest a bit.