I have just removed a inset gas fire and the chimney sweep is coming next week. I want to install a stove and the existing opening is d17cm w44cm h70cm which seems quite small. There appears to be a gather in front with a metal lid on top, I though it had a small back boiler or something but it must be to control the fire as it's just a void inside.
The lintel appears to be a brick arch at 70cm, but I can also see something further up inside around 140cm but that seems quite high. Can I just remove the gather/infill as you can see the brick wall behind it to get the required depth then knock a brick out either side and then just put a new lintel in? There dosn't seem to be much supporting the sides apart from like a brick wall going half way up and then the breast wall further back which looks single skim.
The lintel appears to be a brick arch at 70cm, but I can also see something further up inside around 140cm but that seems quite high. Can I just remove the gather/infill as you can see the brick wall behind it to get the required depth then knock a brick out either side and then just put a new lintel in? There dosn't seem to be much supporting the sides apart from like a brick wall going half way up and then the breast wall further back which looks single skim.