Old back boiler? Removal from Victorian fireplace

[JOHT]

I have discovered this in my fireplace behind an air vent. It is extremely hard to chip out and seems to be sealed in. There is no airflow up the chimney. If I keep trying to remove it, could damage my chimney breast? Does anybody know what it is?

Thank you

JOHL

 

[Tibbot]

Probably an old heat exchanger once used to heat a hot water cylinder coil. They need to be made safe. There have been cases where people lighting fires have caused water trapped in them to explode. Safe DIY removal will depend on what you plan to do with the chimney.

 

[FiremanT]

What were you doing to discover the old boiler. What are your plans?

 

[JOHT]

I want to expose the hole decoratively to store wood for the fire in the other room. I don't intend for it to become a working fireplace.

 

[FiremanT]

I want to expose the hole decoratively to store wood for the fire in the other room. I don't intend for it to become a working fireplace.

1) make sure it is not connected to cylinder. If you have a combi and cylinder, it will be disconnected.If you have a modern system with a conventional cylinder WITHOUT pipes going in where you would expect an immersion heater, it will be disconnected.

If you have a rectangular box type hot water tank BEWARE it could be connected.

Once established it is disconnected then chop away. You can't do harm, but there may be residual water in the boiler and it WILL be horrible.