Renovating 1800's House - Marble Fireplace been tiled over

[katloubee]

Well, here it is. I'm renovating my living room - I just moved in!

Things I want to do:

1. Replace flooring with herringbone
2. Move electrics from skirting boards
3. Replace skirting boards - I'm scared to do this, has anyone done this before? They are massive skirting boards
4. Repaint living room
5. Restore fireplace

A few questions - in what order do I do this? The fireplace has been tiled over so I need to get rid of them - what's the best way to do that please? chisel? Hammer?

 

[Wayners]

Empty room.
Seal off. Maybe with a plastic door cover with zip in.
Fireplace looks like it's got fixings either side.
Depends if it's worth anything but yeah. Smack it out or go careful and sell.
I've found asbestos in old fireplaces. Don't mean you have any but something to think about.

You need an electrician.
Skirting is easy enough with a little practice. I used to stick on with foam

 

[RandomGrinch]

3. Replace skirting boards - I'm scared to do this, has anyone done this before? They are massive skirting boards

I don't think I'd be replacing the skirting; they're impressive boards that could be original - replacing them with anything smaller will potentially leave a fair bit of wall to repair, and replacing them with something of a similar size would be costly.
The sockets can potentially be moved without disturbing the boards, with a chase burying behind - I've done similar.
The holes can then be repaired.

 

[camerart]

Hi K,
I agree with RG, don't remove the skirting boards, just a small square of timber fitted into hole. You should find the cables for the sockets are vertically up the wall, so an electrician, will simple raise them to there you wish and reconnect.

It depends on what you want to do with the fireplace! Are you leaving the black surround? Is it original, or does it cover the original, which may be marble, so be careful. of cracking. If it is original and painted, then strip the black paint off, and it may be light marble. Let us see the result!
C

 

[securespark]

If you are painting the skirts, just fit a piece of timber in the holes. That's what I used to do. I have seen them filled with bonding and finish!

 

[Odds]

Hi K,
I agree with RG, don't remove the skirting boards, just a small square of timber fitted into hole. You should find the cables for the sockets are vertically up the wall, so an electrician, will simple raise them to there you wish and reconnect.

It depends on what you want to do with the fireplace! Are you leaving the black surround? Is it original, or does it cover the original, which may be marble, so be careful. of cracking. If it is original and painted, then strip the black paint off, and it may be light marble. Let us see the result!
C

I had a similar q. in regard to recessing a socket into the skirting b. and the cable ran under the floorboards then up into the socket, so it's not a given the cable runs up the wall. Check the f.boards first, i'd say.

 

[camerart]

I had a similar q. in regard to recessing a socket into the skirting b. and the cable ran under the floorboards then up into the socket, so it's not a given the cable runs up the wall. Check the f.boards first, i'd say.

Hi,
True!
I have a detector, which will find joists and cables, also it shows if the cable is live. Very handy for house renovation.
C