Removing Brick With Cement Mortar

[alexpuk2002]

I am looking to remove 2 bricks from a bedroom chimney so I can get more access to get the chimney swept. The bricks seem to have been laid with a cement mortar so it is difficult to get the brick loose. I have tried a hammer and bolster chisel as well as a cold chisel which doesn't seem to make much of an impact. Access is quite tight as the chimney breast is plastered and I am not wanting to remove any more plaster than I need to.

What's the best way to remove the brick and clear the cement mortar?

https://flic.kr/p/2rGzJie

 

[23vc]

Stitch it away with a masonry (SDS) drill. 6mm ish bit, lots of holes, then a chisel to break it up

 

[JohnD]

You can cut out mortar joints with a diamond blade in an angle grinder. Widely used when repointing.

A multicutter could also do it. Slow, but you probably only have about one brick to do. I have a demolition saw with TCT teeth, but they are not common.

Is the mortar very hard? If not, even a hammer drill could go through it.

What tools do you have?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

As above sds with a 5 or 6mm masonry bit, drilling lots of holes in the masonry joints, close together, then join them up.

 

[opps]

You can cut out mortar joints with a diamond blade in an angle grinder. Widely used when repointing.

A multicutter could also do it. Slow, but you probably only have about one brick to do. I have a demolition saw with TCT teeth, but they are not common.

Is the mortar very hard? If not, even a hammer drill could go through it.

What tools do you have?

If it is a 115mm blade it will only cut to about 32mm though. A brick is 4.5" deep. That is 11.43cm.

Personally, I think the chain drilling makes sense.

 

[NorthWest1]

I had to to remove a number of bricks like this, I drilled a couple of holes and then sawed through the mortar with a tungsten carbide reciprocating blade. The grinder method will spew material all over room, unless you have extraction.

 

[^woody^]

How hard is the mortar? Will a hand saw cut it, or a block saw with tungsten teeth? Or a masonry blade in a reciprocating saw.

 

[Tigercubrider]

I’d avoid an angle grinder if you can.
It will be quick to cut the mortar, but weeks to clean up the dust.
Stitch drilling will be easier

 

[stevie888]

Invest in a plugging chisel: you'd normally attack the mortar but your joints are so tight I think you'd be best off just sacrificing a brick or 2. Absolutely avoid the angle grinder indoors

 

[Deluks]

Consider fitting an access hatch for future chimney maintenance.
Although most sweeping is done from the fireplace or appliance, are you sweeping it yourself or has a pro sweep asked for this?