hi,first time posting so please be kind!im thinking of of opening up the fireplace in my kitchen but am not sure about this metal bar thing that has rusted.it goes right across the arch that is the top of the opening.is this important or will it be ok to open it up?ive no idea if its holding the wall up?sorry if that sounds stupid but i thought i should ask first.thanks for your help.
opening fireplace help
- Thread starter brynsmum
- Start date
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N
Newboy
It looks like a lintel - OK to remove brickwork below but don't remove the 'metal bar'.
A wider photo showing a bit more of the chimney breast would be helpful.
A wider photo showing a bit more of the chimney breast would be helpful.
N
Newboy
It's unlikely to have corroded to the point where it's no longer providing support plus the brickwork above the lintel will be self supporting to some extent.
When you have the opportunity, take a wider photo showing the area and post back
When you have the opportunity, take a wider photo showing the area and post back
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N
Newboy
Rather than showing a little bit at a time, a photo showing the full width and some context (chimney breast?) would be helpful!
One photo showing both ends of the metal bar, the floor and the ceiling would be a good idea
One photo showing both ends of the metal bar, the floor and the ceiling would be a good idea
To give more informed advice it would help if you posted a pic of the wall showing from left to right, and floor to ceiling?
And a pic of the other side of the wall/chimney breast - is that an outside wall, is there an external chimney breast?
Whats happening on the floor above - is the fireplace also blocked off, are stains showing?
There's been work on that flue/chimney breast before, a line of bricks can be seen going up following the flue. Perhaps the flue was partially re-built some time ago.
It seems from the above pics that there is water penetration, and hygroscopic salt penetration from a sooty flue.
To answer your question - yes, you can safely remove the rusted bar, and the blocking material below.
When you've opened up why not post a pic?
And a pic of the other side of the wall/chimney breast - is that an outside wall, is there an external chimney breast?
Whats happening on the floor above - is the fireplace also blocked off, are stains showing?
There's been work on that flue/chimney breast before, a line of bricks can be seen going up following the flue. Perhaps the flue was partially re-built some time ago.
It seems from the above pics that there is water penetration, and hygroscopic salt penetration from a sooty flue.
To answer your question - yes, you can safely remove the rusted bar, and the blocking material below.
When you've opened up why not post a pic?
hi,it is on an external wall which is flat on the outside,no external chimmney breast.the upstairs fireplace is blocked off also.there was about 4 inches thick of plaster covering the whole wall but a friend chipped it all off for me a few years ago as the wall was damp.he wouldnt open it up as he said the metal bar had broken?as the house has quite bad damp,what i have done in the front room is open up the fire place to let the air circulate .ive had tge chimmneys all taken off as the rain was making the walls black with soot from the chimmneys and the chimmneys all needed repointing .as i was having a new roof it was easier just to take the chimmneys off.so there wont be a real fire in there if i open it up,i just think it looks better and the air should circulate better?are you sure the wall wont fall down if i open up under the metal lintel?thanks for any help!
just re reading your comments and you put it was safe to move rusted bar.what i want to do is remove the bricks in the fireplace opening and leave the lintel where it is.im just not sure if the rusted bar will stay where it is or fall apart?thats my main worry.im scared it will fall apart when i take bricks underneath out and the wall will fall down.
OP,
Your latest pics are useless - why not follow the simple suggestions above for taking pics.
Pics of the outside surface of the c/breast will help?
Pics of the upstairs c/breast will also help?
A post (7/03/17)& Pics shows dry rot mycelium strands coming through from the flue. I had not seen these pics before?
The source of the dry rot infection must be traced.
You will need to open up the chimney breast up to the upper metal bar - both bars must come out.
You will also need to open up the upstairs chimney breast for inspection for dry rot, and sweeping.
Sweeping is necessary even if you no longer have fires or stacks.
Your latest pics are useless - why not follow the simple suggestions above for taking pics.
Pics of the outside surface of the c/breast will help?
Pics of the upstairs c/breast will also help?
A post (7/03/17)& Pics shows dry rot mycelium strands coming through from the flue. I had not seen these pics before?
The source of the dry rot infection must be traced.
You will need to open up the chimney breast up to the upper metal bar - both bars must come out.
You will also need to open up the upstairs chimney breast for inspection for dry rot, and sweeping.
Sweeping is necessary even if you no longer have fires or stacks.
Last edited:
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