Replacing old fireplace hearth tiles with floorboards

BillyWillySilly · 8 May 2020

We are renovating an upstairs room in our 1903 home and found a hidden fireplace under the lino. It is made of ceramic tiles on top of a clay like material.

Ignore the hardboard fragment on top - that's going too

My main question is there anything for me to look out for other than remove it all, clean up and replace with floorboards? I'm looking to fit a solid wood flooring over the existing board so need it to be flat etc but will use an underlay to help sound proofing. Currently the tiles sit proud so i need to do something about it.

Thank you!

bobasd · 8 May 2020

The tiled hearth you've exposed is possibly sitting on a concrete or stone sub-hearth.
Remove the tiles and prise up the wood surround (the Margin) and more should be revealed for pic and posting.

The wall behind the hearth has a blocked off fireplace opening, and possibly a chimney flue.
Any redundant flue should be swept & vented bottom and top.

Nige F · 8 May 2020

Find yourself a sweep that will do that flue from the roof down.

bobasd · 8 May 2020

What flue? The OP's not mentioned any flue?
Stop this trolling nonsense that might confuse OP's.

Nige F · 8 May 2020

bobasd said:
The tiled hearth you've exposed is possibly sitting on a concrete or stone sub-hearth.
Remove the tiles and prise up the wood surround (the Margin) and more should be revealed for pic and posting.

The wall behind the hearth has a blocked off fireplace opening, and possibly a chimney flue.
Any redundant flue should be swept & vented bottom and top.

You are talking about flues . Not the op. The op asked if there was anything to look out for .

dontbelieveawordofit · 8 May 2020

thought i was the only one who saw it

Nige F · 8 May 2020

bobasd said:
What flue? The OP's not mentioned any flue?
Stop this trolling nonsense that might confuse OP's.

you talk about flues, I'm replying to you.

dontbelieveawordofit · 8 May 2020

nobody mentioned flues until bob .
then bob goes off on one about people mentioning flues.

bobasd · 8 May 2020

Rubbish deleted

Please stop being an idiot

MOD.

Nige F · 9 May 2020

A fireplace with a possible flue ? You turn every comment. You really are scraping the barrel trying to justify yourself and have the last word.

BillyWillySilly · 11 May 2020

Thanks for the input everyone. I know the flue was blocked up about 20 to 30 years ago shortly after the house was bought by the previous owners. I can access the flue on the ground floor but can see its been blocked up. There’s no detectable draft in the upstairs room and don’t know when the plaster was put up over it.

I’m glad I could inadvertently start a small war on here with my first post though

I’ll get that all removed and post back with a picture.

Nige F · 11 May 2020

BillyWillySilly said:
I’m glad I could inadvertently start a small war on here with my first post though I’ll get that all removed and post back with a picture.

Not your fault - bobasd aka. Vinn and ree has been arguing for years with anyone who dares

question him

BillyWillySilly · 16 May 2020

OK - finally got around to removing the tiles and there's no concrete underneath.

It appears that the joist was cut to accommodate the tiles and additional boards placed beneath. There's a row of bricks which are loose but beyond that just rubble and dust. Not sure how far to excavate this? But I think I can pack the joist, replace the boards and then get on with the new floor.

Nige F · 16 May 2020

Take out the loose boards and look at where the electric cable goes to that socket. You may be able to ( with electric off ) make a larger hole - say 3 inches long- into the fireplace . To allow some air into the flue . ( ventilation @ bottom as per bobasd

) Don't worry if it won't work - you have no signs of damp in that flue . Take out as much rubbish as you need to get your new joists in .

BillyWillySilly · 16 May 2020

Thanks @Nige F - I was planning on fitting a double socket anyway. I'll pop that skirting board off next and see what's behind. The cable is also attached to a sconce light and a you can see there's only 1 cable... my house if full of spurs on spurs. Previous owner was pretty handy but did not always have the right idea.

Is it necessary to permanently keep the chimney vented as in you can see that in the room?

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Replacing old fireplace hearth tiles with floorboards

dontbelieveawordofit

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