Old (New?) fireplace tear down

eddytheflow · 02-05-2012, 11:43 PM

I really need to learn to take 'before' photos.

Anyways, it all started with wanting to install shelves on either side of the fireplace. Then, because the mortar is crumbling, I thought, why not brush it off and reapply and maybe even paint it? But after clearing the area, and seeing the mantel in such crappy condition... why not just tear it down and start over?

So after lots of crumbling mortar and broken bricks, I've reached a point where I'm not sure what to do exactly. It looks like there was an insert put into the old opening to convert it into a gas fireplace. I don't know anything about fireplaces, so I don't really know what I'm looking at. The insert juts out some. It doesn't look like I can pull it out without damaging the gas line (turned off from the outside btw). Also, looks like some insulation stuffed up top. Do I need to call a mason? What steps should I take?

Thanks

****EDIT
http://ed-yu.com/img
this link should work

joecaption · 02-05-2012, 11:46 PM

None of the pictures can be down loaded.
I'd be calling some local mason by your decription.

eddytheflow · 02-06-2012, 12:03 AM

sorry should work now

joecaption · 02-06-2012, 12:07 AM

There coming up but there poor pictures sorry.
I stick with my first suggestion.
Call some local masons.

eddytheflow · 02-08-2012, 07:54 AM

Well I couldn't help it and went in with a wrecking bar, tearing everything down.

I think I did a decent job, pulled out the firebox and brushed most of the loose mortar off. I just need to get the gas line capped off and do some tuck pointing.

Just had a question before I get into the tuck pointing, how much do I need to brush out the old mortar? In some places it just seems like it won't stop brushing out! Also, is the Quickrete mortar mix a good option?

http://ed-yu.com/img/fpp1.jpg
http://ed-yu.com/img/fpp3.jpg
http://ed-yu.com/img/fpp4.jpg

02-05-2012, 11:43 PM	#1
eddytheflow Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: columbus, oh Posts: 62	Old (New?) fireplace tear down I really need to learn to take 'before' photos. Anyways, it all started with wanting to install shelves on either side of the fireplace. Then, because the mortar is crumbling, I thought, why not brush it off and reapply and maybe even paint it? But after clearing the area, and seeing the mantel in such crappy condition... why not just tear it down and start over? So after lots of crumbling mortar and broken bricks, I've reached a point where I'm not sure what to do exactly. It looks like there was an insert put into the old opening to convert it into a gas fireplace. I don't know anything about fireplaces, so I don't really know what I'm looking at. The insert juts out some. It doesn't look like I can pull it out without damaging the gas line (turned off from the outside btw). Also, looks like some insulation stuffed up top. Do I need to call a mason? What steps should I take? Thanks ***EDIT http://ed-yu.com/img this link should work Last edited by eddytheflow; 02-06-2012 at 12:02 AM.*

02-05-2012, 11:46 PM	#2
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,822	Old (New?) fireplace tear down None of the pictures can be down loaded. I'd be calling some local mason by your decription.

02-06-2012, 12:03 AM	#3
eddytheflow Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: columbus, oh Posts: 62	Old (New?) fireplace tear down sorry should work now

02-06-2012, 12:07 AM	#4
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,822	Old (New?) fireplace tear down There coming up but there poor pictures sorry. I stick with my first suggestion. Call some local masons.

02-08-2012, 07:54 AM	#5
eddytheflow Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: columbus, oh Posts: 62	Old (New?) fireplace tear down Well I couldn't help it and went in with a wrecking bar, tearing everything down. I think I did a decent job, pulled out the firebox and brushed most of the loose mortar off. I just need to get the gas line capped off and do some tuck pointing. Just had a question before I get into the tuck pointing, how much do I need to brush out the old mortar? In some places it just seems like it won't stop brushing out! Also, is the Quickrete mortar mix a good option? http://ed-yu.com/img/fpp1.jpg http://ed-yu.com/img/fpp3.jpg http://ed-yu.com/img/fpp4.jpg

Old (New?) fireplace tear down