How to remove plaster fire surround - Edit: It's off!

garrymum · 15 Apr 2009

Hi

We have a plaster fire surround which we would like to replace with a more modern contempory one. It is not an old house, so preserving original features is not important.

Would this be fitted to the wall with the usual screws / wall plugs or would this be fitted with plaster? What are my chances of removing in one piece?

Any hints and tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

roughcaster · 15 Apr 2009

A pic would be handy G/mum, just to get an idea of what it looks like.

Roughcaster.

garrymum · 16 Apr 2009

roughcaster said:
A pic would be handy G/mum, just to get an idea of what it looks like.

Roughcaster.

thanks for the reply, will post a pic when I get home.

garrymum · 16 Apr 2009

Hi Roughcaster, picture below of the plaster fire surround.

Is it worth trying to get this off in one piece? Is it worth selling?

Thanks

roughcaster · 16 Apr 2009

Cheers G/Mum,
I'm sure someone would buy it if it can be removed without being damaged. Looking at it, i don't know how it would be fixed to the wall. A lot of fire surrounds have small brackets and screws, that are fixed just below the surface of the wall, and are hidden from view. I'm not sure about your one. Is it made of plaster as you thought? Could be there's a couple of screws/fixings holding it in place, that have been neatly hidden with plugs/caps or something. I can't see it being "stuck" to the wall, but you never know. Maybe others might have an idea.... I've just eaten one of your chocolates,,, i hope you don't mind.

Roughcaster.

garrymum · 16 Apr 2009

roughcaster said:
Cheers G/Mum,
I'm sure someone would buy it if it can be removed without being damaged. Looking at it, i don't know how it would be fixed to the wall. A lot of fire surrounds have small brackets and screws, that are fixed just below the surface of the wall, and are hidden from view. I'm not sure about your one. Is it made of plaster as you thought? Could be there's a couple of screws/fixings holding it in place, that have been neatly hidden with plugs/caps or something. I can't see it being "stuck" to the wall, but you never know. Maybe others might have an idea.... I've just eaten one of your chocolates,,, i hope you don't mind.

Roughcaster.

Thanks, I don't mind but I'm sure my daughter would!

Cheers. I'll let you know how I get on.

paulc7617 · 16 Apr 2009

Hi Garrysmum,can the fire be pulled out? to gain access to the back of your surround,maybe fixings are there.Not experienced in this sort of thing,but was just a thought.
Regards
Paul

xerxes · 16 Apr 2009

My guess would be that it's fixed with metal plates set below the plaster and screwed into the wall, and I would start looking around six inches from the top and bottom on each side. If you have a metal detector you may be able to find the fixings using that.

Of course if it has been stuck onto the wall, you may find there's no alternative to breaking it up to remove it.

Alastairreid · 17 Apr 2009

its a lovely fire surround ! i hope you dont break it (have you googled the price of them) as the guys said their will probably be a couple of fixings buried in the plaster.
the fitters will probably have dabbed some adhesive on the back as well, but the finishing plaster should tear off with the fire surround before breaking (i hope

).
let us know how you get on.

david17uk · 17 Apr 2009

I'd say small brackets on the sides at the top (and possibly bottom too), as mentioned above around 6 inches.

Try carefully chiseling the plaster off the wall at that area and see if you can find them.

If not, try levering it off with something flat and wide, may have been just siliconed on.

garrymum · 17 Apr 2009

Thanks all. The living room is my next project, once I finish the dining room. Will let you know how I get on.

garrymum · 27 Apr 2009

david17uk said:
I'd say small brackets on the sides at the top (and possibly bottom too), as mentioned above around 6 inches.

Try carefully chiseling the plaster off the wall at that area and see if you can find them.

If not, try levering it off with something flat and wide, may have been just siliconed on.

Have had out my metal / stud detector this evening to try and find the brackets. Couldn't find anything. I'm thinking it's been bonded to the wall with no nails or something similar. On closer inspection I don't think it is plaster. Feels like some sort of resin fire surround. I can see trouble ahead getting this off!!!

garrymum · 1 May 2009

Right, in the end not a very big job. There were no brackets fixing it to the wall, it was fixed using silicone. Hammered an old filling knife down between the surround the wall and it soon came out. Around the edge of the surround got slightly chipped as I pulled the filling knife out. It IS plaster so possible it could be sanded slightly and filled before painting.

Not sure if I could sellit though, probably end up going to the tip?

Thanks for all advice.

Alastairreid · 1 May 2009

Not sure if I could sellit though, probably end up going to the tip?

shame to tip it ! i'm sure someone would appreciate such a nice surround.

powersurge · 1 May 2009

PLEASE DONT SKIP IT!
There are probably many people who would love that fire surround, Have you heard of Freecycle - you just offer stuff (for free) and someone will probably be around to grab it the next day !
I have given a few items (and received a few) in my area.

The benefits:

1: You get rid without having to drive to a tip
2: The planet benefits by less stuff in the landfill
3: Someone gets a free fireplace (that they probably couldn't afford)

have a look here:
http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK/Yorkshire and the Humber/Leeds

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How to remove plaster fire surround - Edit: It's off!

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