Removing a 1950s fireplace & clay fireback.

[Dor1111]

Hi I have a 1950s fireplace in my mum's maisonette & need to remove the
surround. I found a thread on here & removed the hearth without any
issue, it also told me how to locate the lugs holding the fire surround to
the wall.

However, before I remove the fire surround I have an issue with the ABM
Milner clay fireback as it seems to protrude out of the wall meaning it
will not be flush with the wall when I remove the fire surround so can I take
that out as well & does it support anything & no at the moment I cannot
see a lintel when looking up the chimney.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

[blup]

Shouldn't be structural

 

[ree]

OP,
Typically, fire backs dont support anything - your fireback was installed in a fireplace opening.
Your fireback was installed in two pieces but once the tiles, & disintegrating back hearth are removed it should be easy enough to remove the fireback.

Just curious - Maybe what your pics show is a later chimney breast pulled out from an original chimney breast.
Is the c/breast above the tiles framed or blockwork?
None of this will affect your removing the fireback.

 

[Dor1111]

OP,
Typically, fire backs dont support anything - your fireback was installed in a fireplace opening.
Your fireback was installed in two pieces but once the tiles, & disintegrating back hearth are removed it should be easy enough to remove the fireback.

Just curious - Maybe what your pics show is a later chimney breast pulled out from an original chimney breast.
Is the c/breast above the tiles framed or blockwork?
None of this will affect your removing the fireback.

Hi sorry real novice what do you mean by framed or blockwork. When you say
in two parts where would the other par of the fireback be. And thank you for
the advice so far.

 

[ree]

OP,
The fireback comes as two pieces - look closely & you will see the join. You should have no problem removing the fireback.
Forget about the "Just curious" questions.

 

[Nige F]

poster #5 perhaps you could high light the join ? Just curious ?

 

[stuart45]

They usually come in one piece with a scoreline, so you need to cut them if needed.

 

[Dor1111]

OP,
The fireback comes as two pieces - look closely & you will see the join. You should have no problem removing the fireback.
Forget about the "Just curious" questions.

Well Your advice is spot on so far. The fireback came out in one piece & boy did they pack a load of
brick off cuts etc behind it. The fireplace was a surprise. I never thought it would be so heavy, I had to
cut it into six pieces. Rebars running through it & metal offcuts. Anyway, I'm slowly getting there. Thanks
for the advice so far.

 

[ree]

OP,
The remaining brickwork inside the fireplace opening is in-fill and can also be removed.
What is your final purpose?

 

[Dor1111]

OP,
The remaining brickwork inside the fireplace opening is in-fill and can also be removed.
What is your final purpose?

It is going to be blocked in.

 

[blup]

Ventilate it

 

[Dor1111]

Ventilate it

Yes I saw that in previous forum questions & after you mentioned it I went & checked
a neighbours which was done by the council & that had not been vented. And the wall
paper is peeling off, in fact any I have seen done by the council do not have any
vents. Thank you for the reminder.

 

[Dor1111]

OP,
The remaining brickwork inside the fireplace opening is in-fill and can also be removed.
What is your final purpose?

Well I removed everything except some bricks at the back as they are very stable
the only thing left is the protruding part of the lintel which sticks out about two
inches. I thought at first they had poured a mix down behind the fireplace & it
had adhered to the lintel but although the edge is ragged I imagine the lintel
came like that for the fireplace to rest onto.

 

[ree]

OP,
Using a brick chisel you should be able to chisel it off - nibble bits at a time.
An angle grinder would have it off in minutes but theres all the dust.

 

[Dor1111]

OP,
Using a brick chisel you should be able to chisel it off - nibble bits at a time.
An angle grinder would have it off in minutes but theres all the dust.

Well you were right I chipped away & it came off. Unfortunately I have not been able to
do anything more until today as although I kept asking the council to do it as it is one
of their properties Surveyors here are gods & mere mortals do not get to deal directly with
them . Anyway long story short the housing officer who said I could do it has now said they
did not say that as I am removing a fireplace which is structural & finally I received a list
from the surveyor
" the surveyor will attend once resident seeks permission to inspect for feasibility.
"Resident should formally seek permission to remove the fireplace and provide us with
details of works to be carried out, the contractor’s liability and indemnity insurance and
this will trigger the Contract Surveyor to attend for feasibility"
Bit late as I had already done it.

Then a friend popped around & it seems by removing a fireplace they thought it was including
the fireplace lintel & who knows what they thought would happen to the chimney breast, If I
could of talked to the surveyor in the first place or submitted a plan it of been simpler but it
is on me as I said removing fireplace & blocking up the hole Anyway at this stage now.