Closing a fireplace that has protruding load bearing bits

jacoscar · 3 Jun 2021

I have removed this fireplace from my lounge, hoping to just board it and plaster over it; however I have found out that the small lintel is supported by two pieces that are still proud of the wall (see pictures)
I have also started to remove plaster above, hoping to find another lintel flush with the wall, but it doesn’t look like there is one

From what I see it looks like I can’t remove those vertical pieces under the lintel

Any advice?

jacoscar · 3 Jun 2021

The small brick circled in the picture is loose

Also the metal part at the bottom (I think it was called underfloor draught) is proud of the wall

Deluks · 4 Jun 2021

Use thicker battens or use two lots criss crossed to bring the plasterboard clear of the protrusions.

SFK · 4 Jun 2021

I would get my cold chisel and hammer (or SDS Drill on Chisel mode) and knock the ends off the protruding bits.
Vibrations will make it a bit loose, so then refill gaps with mortar.
SFK

jacoscar · 4 Jun 2021

SFK said:
I would get my cold chisel and hammer (or SDS Drill on Chisel mode) and knock the ends off the protruding bits.
Vibrations will make it a bit loose, so then refill gaps with mortar.
SFK

Am I missing something here? Doesn’t having loose bits mean that they are not supporting any weight anymore so everything could collapse?

jacoscar · 4 Jun 2021

Deluks said:
Use thicker battens or use two lots criss crossed to bring the plasterboard clear of the protrusions.

Sorry, I don’t want to loose room space

JohnD · 4 Jun 2021

Angle grinder.

SFK · 4 Jun 2021

It is a narrow gap so Lintel is taking little load.

And you can see where it has already collapsed - the white mortar trangle above the lintel.
That shows how bricks above that have then taken the load - so collapse is unlikley.

And you also have support below. So all in all there is a limted amount of laod and is has no wehere to collapse to.

Better suggestion thank mine from John, use an angle grinder - less vibration.
Also Cheap to get starting from about £25.

SFK

Deluks · 4 Jun 2021

Why not just build a brick pillar underneath to pick up the weight of the lintel, then you can knock off whatever you like without concern.

Or get a slightly longer lintel and replace the one there, or put it underneath the existing one.

Or brick the opening up and bond and skim straight into the brickwork.

jacoscar · 7 Jun 2021

Another question; I would like to remove the left side of the chimney to gain some space; there is nothing above it apart from a joist that almost touches the chimney stack
I was thinking of removing about 30cm of bricks and leave just enough support for the joist to sit onto (about 10cm) is this ok?

(Obviously the joist is higher than where I’ve drown it in the picture)

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Closing a fireplace that has protruding load bearing bits

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