I am looking to open up an old fireplace, as part of a refurbishment of my property. In the future I'd like to fit a woodburner, so want to make the space for it.
Am I correct to assume that everything below the original arch (aside from the edges), should be safe to remove?
The bottom piece of the central brick is loose, as it split in two and would be cemented back, first. The rest of the wall is made of stone, which I know is less stable than brick. Below that, as you can see in the photos, there are three courses of bricks and a small slate lintel.
The chimney breast directly upstairs is smaller and doesn't protrude out as far as this one.
Am I correct to assume that everything below the original arch (aside from the edges), should be safe to remove?
The bottom piece of the central brick is loose, as it split in two and would be cemented back, first. The rest of the wall is made of stone, which I know is less stable than brick. Below that, as you can see in the photos, there are three courses of bricks and a small slate lintel.
The chimney breast directly upstairs is smaller and doesn't protrude out as far as this one.