Opening up a fireplace

[Antscran]

Hi all,

I am in process of opening up a fireplace and have already had 2 quotes from wood burner installers. I also asked their advice regarding the construction and after inspection both said it shouldn't be an issue, so I have proceeded so far and just seeking a bit more advice.

The images attached show the exposed soldier brick arch and the supporting curved top lintel, with a few smaller lower steel lintels exposed. There are some shots from inside the fireplace as well.

I have been slowly exposing the plaster to reveal the bricks beneath and the breeze block I removed just below the arch was actually quite loose.

My main concern now is the main lintel directly below the soldier brick arch, it is very firmly fixed and I have been careful when loosening anything around it. However, I am concerned that when I remove the outer bricks which have been fitted to fill the gap I may loosen the lintel.

How best to proceed in removing these bricks?

Thanks,

Ant

 

[23vc]

Which bricks are you talking about removing? the brick arch should be pretty self supporting.

 

[Antscran]

The red vertical bricks either side from the hearth which sit beneath the lintel which sits directly under the soldier bricks. Its the curved lintel under the soldier bricks I want to avoid loosening.

 

[23vc]

You’re fine, nothings going to go anywhere with the brick arch there. And if it’s possible to loosen the curved lintel with everything else saying in place that proves it’s not doing anything anyway.

 

[Antscran]

Hi 23vc, thanks for your advice. I have noticed there is a small air gap under the curved lintel as well, I take it this is probably the original lintel?

 

[23vc]

Air gap under the lintel? Not sure what you mean
Have you found where the end bearings of the curved lintel are? might not necessarily line up with the brick arch

 

[Antscran]

Sorry didn't quite make myself clear, the steel lintel directly under the soldier brick arch is not in direct contact with the bricks. There is a small air gap and the bricks are essentially floating 5mm above the lintel.

 

[23vc]

Yeah, I noticed that. Like I say, the brick arch is supporting itself so as long as you go steady you’re fine.

 

[ptarmigan]

The Bricks on the left look like block pavers to me.edit, and perhaps the other side.

 

[sparkymarka]

Are they block paving blocks ? ....

 

[ptarmigan]

Well the edges are curved and they have the bit sticking out to space them.

 

[Antscran]

The Bricks on the left look like block pavers to me.edit, and perhaps the other side.

Could be, there was a very light breeze block in the middle and a very fragile red brick top right and corner as your looking at the fire place

 

[Antscran]

Yeah, I noticed that. Like I say, the brick arch is supporting itself so as long as you go steady you’re fine.

I will try and work some of the pointing out then and tap the bricks gently from behind and guess working from the top down seems like the most sensible approach

 

[23vc]

Lump hammer and bolster or a standard SDS breaker

 

[mrrusty]

You may well find that curved steel goes right through the sides of the breast and angles down/up on the outside face of the side bricks under the plaster, in effect securing the fireplace against spread. Looks just like ours and this was how ours was done.