Opening up a fireplace

[duvet77]

I know there's a lot of these threads but I thought I'd start one specific to my project.

I'm opening up my fireplace so I can have a wood burning stove installed. So far I've gone from this:

Untitled

• duvet77
• 7 Nov 2011
• 1

to this:

Untitled

• duvet77
• 7 Nov 2011
• 1

I was fairly lucky in that the new brickwork was set back abuut 150mm from the front of the chimney breast so I knew the lintel was sound(ish). Further investigation revealed a flat iron bar under the brick arch.

I have several questions about progress from here:

1. The mortar in the chimeny breast (and throughtout the house for that matter) is very loose and crumbly. It's like they put the house together with mud. Could this mean the piers at either side have lost their structural integrity? I know they are mostly under compression but I guess the arch will be creating some lateral force. Is removing the remaining brickwork going to create any problems. I personally don't think so as this brick isn't bonded into the chimney breast and is the wrong side of the pier to be opposing any lateral forces from the arch. Also the chimney breast is bonded into the party wall so it's not like they are free standing piers.

2. Given that the mortar is practically dust, should i strip off some plaster and repoint the brick arch lintel (it is supported by an iron bar). I was planning on repointing the back of the arch inside the fireplace.

3. Should I strip the plaster off the piers and repoint? I'd rather not because I don't want to have to get a plasterer out.

4. I want to clean up the brick inside the fireplace, repoint and paint. Do I need to use specific mortar or can I just get a bag of premixed stuff from wickes. Do I need a special paint to with stand the heat from the stove?

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

 

[Richard C]

A search through the archive posts will bring up several such projects which you should read first.

As this comes up so often, I’ve put together this generic post; read the links but not all may apply to you.

You can DIY a stove install but you need to understand the Building Regs (which changed in October 2010), submit a Building Notice & pay a fee. Your LABC will inspect &, assuming everything is OK, issue a compliance certificate; the BI may want to witness smoke & spillage tests. No compliance certificate may lead to difficulties when you come to sell your property; if cannot produce a compliance certificate in the event of a problem, your insurance company may invalidate your policy & reject any claim.

Lots of archive threads on this, & other things you have to watch out for, here a few links for you to read:
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/stove_building_regulations.html
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010.pdf
http://www.hetas.co.uk/public/certificates.html
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/buidling_regs_consumer leaflet.pdf
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=183614
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=211524
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=242738
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224751

& some more sobering just in case you think it’s all a load of old tosh:
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/main_pages/news.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...wood-burning-stove-leaks-carbon-monoxide.html
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/warning_over_heaters_after_norfolk_couple_s_death_1_811099

Also get at least 3 quotes from local independent HETAS installers:
http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member

You might be pleasantly surprised & you should ask yourself if you really want all the hassle & risk getting it wrong; climbing onto the roof with an 8M stainless steel snake on your back is not for the feint hearted!

__________________


Read more: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=267604&highlight=#ixzz1I6jlicut

 

[duvet77]

Don't worry I have no intention of installing the stove myself. Looking up the chimney, I'm fairly certain I'll need a liner but I'll be getting an HETAS guy to do all that. At the moment I'm just preparing the opening and want advice in preventing my chimeny collapsing!

 

[duvet77]

Did more work today but still haven't got all the bricks out. I found a couple that are bonded into the side piers (are these actually called cheeks?) so not sure what to do with those. I'll try chisel them out I guess.

Would appreciate it if anyone has any advice on my original questions. I've read Richards links but they don't really answer my questions. Though they did make me wonder if my idea of having exposed brick inside the fireplace is acceptable. Does anyone know the answer to that?

 

[stuart45]

I know there's a lot of these threads but I thought I'd start one specific to my project.

I'm opening up my fireplace so I can have a wood burning stove installed. So far I've gone from this:

Untitled

• duvet77
• 7 Nov 2011
• 1

to this:

Untitled

• duvet77
• 7 Nov 2011
• 1

I was fairly lucky in that the new brickwork was set back abuut 150mm from the front of the chimney breast so I knew the lintel was sound(ish). Further investigation revealed a flat iron bar under the brick arch.

I have several questions about progress from here:

1. The mortar in the chimeny breast (and throughtout the house for that matter) is very loose and crumbly. It's like they put the house together with mud. Could this mean the piers at either side have lost their structural integrity? I know they are mostly under compression but I guess the arch will be creating some lateral force. Is removing the remaining brickwork going to create any problems.

Shouldn't be a problem.

I personally don't think so as this brick isn't bonded into the chimney breast and is the wrong side of the pier to be opposing any lateral forces from the arch. Also the chimney breast is bonded into the party wall so it's not like they are free standing piers.

2. Given that the mortar is practically dust, should i strip off some plaster and repoint the brick arch lintel (it is supported by an iron bar). I was planning on repointing the back of the arch inside the fireplace.

3. Should I strip the plaster off the piers and repoint? I'd rather not because I don't want to have to get a plasterer out.

I wouldn't bother

4. I want to clean up the brick inside the fireplace, repoint and paint. Do I need to use specific mortar or can I just get a bag of premixed stuff from wickes. Do I need a special paint to with stand the heat from the stove?

Lime mortar withstands heat better.

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

[colpppor=red][/color]

 

[Richard C]