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Remove the bricks at the surface of the hearth by chipping them up with the rotary hammer and chisel-bit. Remove the remaining rows of bricks and mortar that comprise the outer edges of the hearth. Chip out and remove the mortar-bed at the floor to expose the wire lath. Avoid digging into the subfloor.
Can you remove a raised hearth?
You can get rid of the raised hearth, but remember that code requires at least 18″ of non combusitble material in front of the opening (requirements could be more depending on the jurisdiction and size of the firebox oepning) so you will have to put in a new hearth at floor level.
What is under a brick hearth?
Under it is probably just a sub-floor, in other words whether you have carpet or wood in the room they wouldn’t have finished the floor under the hearth. You wouldn’t need to pour cement.
How do you remove hearth from concrete?
Any advice welcomed! You can remove it by breaking it up, either with a sledge hammer or an sds drill with rotary stop and a sds chisel. The tools you need are a big hammer, (7lbs) shovel and maybe a crow- bar.
How do you remove old brick from a fireplace?
Place the blade of the chisel on the mortar between the bricks and tap the end of the handle with a hammer. Continue hitting the chisel until you remove as much mortar as you can. Once all of the mortar around the brick is loose, the brick will easily come off your chimney.
How much does it cost to remove a fireplace hearth?
A partial fireplace or chimney demolition costs $500 to $2,500 to remove everything below or above the roof-line.Chimney and Fireplace Removal Costs. Type Average Cost Remove Wood-Burning Fireplace $500 – $1,000 Remove Electric / Gas Fireplace Insert $500 – $2,500.
Does a hearth have to be raised?
If you have any solid fuel burning stove, it is absolutely vital that you have the correct hearth for it to sit on. For this reason, regulations also state your hearth should be ‘visually apparent’, with the edge ideally raised above the level of the floor.
What supports a fireplace hearth?
Foundation—a concrete pad under the house that supports the weight of the fireplace and chimney. Hearth—the floor of a fireplace and the extension that protrudes into the room.
What is under a fireplace?
Ash Pit: A cavity underneath a fireplace firebox, used as a receptacle for ashes, and accessible for clean-out by means of a clean-out door. Ash Pit Clean-out Door: A metal door located at the base of the chimney which leads to the ash pit.
Are fireplace hearths structural?
A fireplace or hearth is a structure made of brick, stone or metal designed to contain a fire. Fireplaces are used for the relaxing ambiance they create and for heating a room. Modern fireplaces vary in heat efficiency, depending on the design.
How do you cover a concrete fireplace hearth?
You can cover the concrete hearth with slate, tile, stone or just about any other non-flammable building product. If you had x-ray vision like some superheroes, you would see concrete just below many of the hearths in older and even modern homes.
How do you cover an old hearth?
Hiding an Unused Fireplace with Decorative Items Decorative fireplace screen or insert. Firewood. Oversized candles. Candelabra or ornamental candle holder. Potted plants. Books. Large mirror.
Can you remove brick from a fireplace?
A: Yes, you can remove the brick facade and replace it with another material. And you will still be able to use the fireplace. The only restriction is that the material around the firebox must be noncombustible. Common choices are marble, some other type of stone or tile.
What is behind a brick fireplace?
The brick you see on the fireplace is a facade. It is attached to the firebox by mortar. You’ll be able to clean up the brick behind the facade and cover them with a new flat mortar bed to install the tile or marble. The mortar base will provide a good substrate to set your tile.
How easy is it to knock out a fireplace?
If the fireplace has been filled in with bricks, start from the vent and slowly knock out a few at a time with a club hammer and bolster chisel. You may find it easier to remove the plaster from the area first and then chip out the bricks, one by one, once you can see where the mortar joints are.
Does removing a fireplace decrease home value?
But losing a fireplace can affect a home’s appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.
Does removing a chimney breast devalue a house?
Does removing a chimney breast devalue a house? The answer to this question depends on what type of house you have and its method of heating. Depending on the size of the rooms, hearths and chimney breasts, you might gain a small amount of extra space in each room.
How high should a hearth be off the floor?
A sitting-height hearth is simply a hearth that extends out into your room and is built up, or raised off the floor, to a height that is comfortable for people to sit on. Tim Carter of “Ask the Builder” recommends a sitting-height hearth not be more than about 17 inches high.
What height should a hearth be?
The height of your hearth opening above the floor often is a matter of local building codes and personal preference. The average height would be 12 to 14 inches from the floor to the bottom of the hearth opening, which allows you to install a seating area in front of your hearth.
What is the normal height of a fireplace hearth?
Basic Hearth Dimensions To keep fire, ashes and embers a safe distance from the floor in front of a fireplace that has an opening 6 square feet or smaller, the hearth should extend at least 16 inches in front of the fireplace opening. The hearth also needs to extend 8 inches to each side of the opening.
How do you repair a fireplace hearth?
Step 1 – Remove Broken Pieces. Step 2 – Clean Away Dust. Step 3 – Prepare Wood Length. Step 4 – Pour New Hearth Stone. Step 5 – Smooth the Concrete. Step 6 – Allow Adequate Drying Time.
What are the parts of a fireplace called?
Fireplace Parts & Terms Firebox. The firebox is the part of your fireplace that is typically inside of the wall. Mantel. The mantel is the top horizontal protruding shelf/ledge over a firebox. Mantel Shelf. The mantel may or may not have the depth or design to function as a shelf. Surround. Hearth. Corbel. Plinth.
What is flooring around fireplace called?
A hearth is the noncombustible floor of your fireplace. Over time the hearth has referred to the firebox, the raised area around the fireplace, even the whole fireplace, mantel, hearth extension, and chimney.
Why is there a hole under my fireplace?
The ash pit is built at the fireplace base so that old ashes are swept or scraped into the ash pit and a fresh fire can be built in a clean fireplace. Depending on its size, the ash pit may hold a season’s ashes so that it does not need emptying in inclement weather.
Do all fireplaces have a cleanout?
Many chimneys must have a cleanout. This is a metal door on the flue that’s at least a foot lower than the lowest combustion area. Although a fireplace can also serve as a cleanout in some areas, a wood stove needs a cleanout below the area where the stovepipe enters the flue.
