Chimney & Fireplaces/fireplace removal

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Expert: - 6/16/2009


Question
QUESTION: I have a fireplace that never worked right so it has been sealed off at the top and chimney taken down. It is set into the wall and is covered by rock and grout and appears to have woven wire on dry wall behind it.We would like to use this space for something else, but we are wondering what to expect and how to tear down this half wall monstrosity. ???? Thanks.

ANSWER: Kimberly,

This wont be pretty. You will require an electric chisel hammer or small jack hammer at least. You will need to remove one brick at a time. You should cover everything as as there will be a lot of dust in the house. It might not be a bad idea to contact with a drywall installer as you will most likely have a repair there at the end. A lot of contractors are looking for work these days and you may find a good deal. check with more than one for bids. If you will go it alone, it's next to impossible for anyone to tell you what you may find behind the walls. Certainly there will be some framing to do as well. Good luck and I wish I could be of more help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We dove into the project! Got as far as the bench at the bottom and taking out the firebox and connecting pipe up to the roof. Any advice on how to do this?  Do we just keep pulling stuff out?

Answer
Kimberly,

It sounds like you have a factory built fireplace and chimney system. If this is the case, the firebox will only be attached at whats called the nailing flanges at both the left and right sides of the firebox. Once the box is free to move about, cut the chimney pipe off with a "Saws-All" tool and lift it off of the firebox. Block the pipe with a 2X4 or something so you can remove the box. After the box is removed, let the pipe down and break it at the connecting seems. before long, you will be done. Good luck.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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