1930’s fireplace advice.

[Jimmyjaffa]

Hi all, hope everyone’s enjoying the weather while it lasts. I would like some advice please if anyone could help. Just moved into a 1930’s semi and was thinking of having a burner fitted. I knew the wooden lintel would have to be replaced due to reg’s. As I was knocking the plaster off looking for a straight course to use I came across this archway. Now the bricks underneath seem to be loose but the arch is solid so probably taking the load. Question is, how would this fire place of looked originally? Can I remove the loose infill bricks, and what am I expected to see. Many thanks in advance.

Jim.

 

[jj4091]

If it is in a living area rather than a bedroom then probably something like one of those illustrated here. Possibly " The Yorkshire Range " looking at the size of it.

Cast iron range - all fired up and ready to cook - Mr Victorian

A cast iron range was in most Victorian homes. Here I discuss the different types, how they worked, how to cook on them and their demise.

mrvictorian.co.uk

Yes you probably can remove the lintel and loose bricks but take advice from your Hepas installer before you start

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

It looks original to me, see the bricks at the bottom of the arch that bond them. The arch is just to spread the load onto the corners, so the wooden lintel is only taking the load of the few courses above it, rather than the entire chimney. It looks like it's a part of the design rather than an opening that was later bricked up.

It may also be carrying some of the internal dividers within the chimney, that divide it from an upstairs chimney.

Don't mess with it!

Actually my advice would be to brick the stupid thing up, don't set fire to dead trees, poisoning you and your neighbours, living like a caveman. Get a heat pump, join the modern world.

Houses with log burners are usually cold, because of all the vents. We have a redundant one, the place got instantly warmer as soon as I stuffed an old pillow up its flue.

 

[noseall]

Hi all, hope everyone’s enjoying the weather while it lasts. I would like some advice please if anyone could help. Just moved into a 1930’s semi and was thinking of having a burner fitted. I knew the wooden lintel would have to be replaced due to reg’s. As I was knocking the plaster off looking for a straight course to use I came across this archway. Now the bricks underneath seem to be loose but the arch is solid so probably taking the load. Question is, how would this fire place of looked originally? Can I remove the loose infill bricks, and what am I expected to see. Many thanks in advance.

Jim.View attachment 415538View attachment 415539View attachment 415539View attachment 415538

The arch depicts a fancier version of the common 'builders opening'. They usually build them with a flat soldier course. The fireplace fitter then comes along and fills the masonry in with more brickwork and whatever coal burning device was specced for that house - hence the slightly shrunken wooden lintel and the loose brick in-fill.

Make sure you have the flue lined.

 

[Odds]

I'd be v. tempted to find a tile set for that awesome arch - think of the impact it would have on the room.

 

[foxhole]

Consult with stove fitter to see options.

 

[boringoldcodger]

*** PEDANT ALERT *** PEDANT ALERT ***

is only taking the load of the few courses below it

I assume you meant "above it".

 

[StephenStephen]

*** PEDANT ALERT *** PEDANT ALERT ***


I assume you meant "above it".

I can be even more pedantic - the "it" refers to the arch, not to the lintel, so "below it" is correct...

 

[Odds]

All this delicious fruit hanging low upon the pedan tree is starting to get my juices flowing

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Edited original post to stop the internet exploding.