Removing tiles from hearth / reuse or rebuild?

[jacko555]

Getting new (old) cast iron fireplace installed tomorrow. The broken tiled affair is being removed.

One grey area is the hearth. Depending on what's under the hearth tiles, it may need rebuilding/replacing (according to hetas engineer). I agree/trust this assessment, as the one we are replacing is shoddy.

Couldn't resist so knocked a tile off the hearth raised edging and found what looks like iron? There's part of the phrase "Made in England" visible (although, reversed, which is odd. I'd expect a metal cast to be in reverse, so it comes out the correct way)

Does this look like the gubbins of a 1910's to 1920's hearth, or, just slme recycled iron (or for the period, is there no difference?)

Is it likely the entire hearth has an iron underlay?

Do you think this will be a solid foundation to lay new hearth tiles on, or, it'll be condemned and a new one built?

The hetas chap has the final say (as he'll do the work and sign it off / provide certificate) but curious to hear your thoughts

 

[tel765]

Why not post a pic showing the whole tiled fireplace and hearth?

Without seeing it in full and the condition its in - I think that maybe the whole lot will have to go - fireplace and hearth, & whatever is in the fire opening?
It could perhaps be saved and retiled if you dont mind having a repro iron fire surround sitting on a 1950-1960's hearth - but why not?

Anyway, use a knife to cut the fireplace outline free from paint and paper - that way you wont pull off lumps of plaster.

 

[jacko555]

It's all going I reckon.

Its being replaced with a salvaged Victorian / cast iron . Just curious if some of the hearth guts could be saved, as the hearth rebuild is an additional cost that depends on what he finds...

For posterity, this is the monster that's going. It was inexpertly installed / not original to the house.

 

[tel765]

I do hope that you have an authentic re-cycled Victorian living room size surround but my experience makes me a bit cynical about salvaged iron surrounds - for the quite some time most worthwhile salvageable details have been removed from in-situ demolitions say, and immediately re-installed for big bucks in big bucks houses.

Over the last few decades thousands of reproduced Victorian items have arrived from China, and there are companies that specialise in "antiquing" them further, & even provide authenticating validation certs. Checks in the post!

Beauty being in the eyes of the beholder, your monster is an authentic example of a 1930's design (except for the tiles on the hearth rim) - probably made in the 1950's when there was a craze for ripping out the old iron fire&cooking arrangements in terraced house living rooms, & replacing them with tiled fireplaces such as your fine example.

Perhaps gumtree or ebay etc. would find a buyer for your item?

 

[jacko555]

The surround came from a friends kitchen, and it is original with features.

The peach monster was badly installed and a lot of the tiles smashed, cracked or cut awkwardly in an attempt to make good.

No deco craftsman would do this corner cut, or, install the sunbursts...

Its a knackered bodge

 

[dontbelieveawordofit]

think its called the ‘vile’ range.
remember it from 1961.

 

[Nige F]

think its called the ‘vile’ range.
remember it from 1961.

I think it used to be retailed by Ree,Vinn & co.ltd. Time served masons and chimney specialists. The tiles were vitrified or vilified.

 

[Nige F]

I do hope that you have an authentic re-cycled Victorian living room size surround but my experience makes me a bit cynical about salvaged iron surrounds - re-installed for big bucks in big bucks houses. Checks in the post!

?

Are you American ? ree was