Is this a stone lintel in 1880's UK tenement fireplace?

[diy-edinburgh-man]

Hey,

Can I remove this modern breeze block?

It's located in the opening of a 1880's UK tenement fireplace.

I'm about to take the modern breeze block out this fireplace, but wanted to make sure it was correctly supported first. I can see what appears to be stone / bricks around the modern breeze block, and what appears to be a stone lintel going over the top. The breeze block just seems to be 'placed' in the opening and not actually touching the lintel.

Is this still sound?

I'm planning on opening up the fireplace, tiling the base and then white washing whatever is inside.

Thanks so much!

 

[DAZB]

I would say you are quite safe in taking the blocks out as they will be doing no structural work at all. They have clearly been added to form the current opening and it will, most likely, have been a larger fireplace in the past so do it but take it steady and you will be fine.

 

[JohnD]

It would be easier to see if you chipped off more plaster, but typically a chimneybreast has a large "builders opening" with a lintel or rough arch, which is structural to hold the brickwork up, and then the fireback and fireplace are built inside it. So you can remove the fireplace insert. You can put in a piece of angle iron or something to support your new infill.

If you want to open it up to the original size, chip away the plaster and you will be able to see it. It might be quite crude as it was intended to be covered up.

 

[diy-edinburgh-man]

Thanks gents, much appreciated.

I think I'll be creating an opening of some description, so will put in a support when doing so. Just wanted to make sure the whole thing isn't going to fall down when I remove those breeze blocks! They don't look like they are doing much.