Do I have a fireplace under here?

SomeUser

I've got a lovely victorian flat built around 1860. It's in a conservation area and has period features including sash windows but also solid walls. Internal and external insulation are out - external because of the conservation area, internal because of the features.

I would love to be able to get a pellet stove and I'm wondering whether I have a fireplace underneath this wall? The wall is completely flat and doesnt seem deep enough, but the location of the air brick and shape of the external wall says otherwise. The skirting board also isn't orginal.

Any experts?

The reason why internal wall insulation is out https://www.dropbox.com/s/oy1l3neklx9i17j/2014-08-23%2021.40.25.jpg?dl=0

Outside https://www.dropbox.com/s/2mgbn8ds3c5hx7b/2014-08-23%2020.57.42.jpg?dl=0

Inside https://www.dropbox.com/s/th60ffy7f75nlv7/2014-08-23%2020.56.43.jpg?dl=0

bridgedino

Looks like there is

SomeUser

Do I just start chipping away at plaster to find it?

Doozergirl

Yup.

I wouldn't be too disappointed if there isn't, but it's an excuse to get wall plastered if there isn't

I have had quite a narrow chimney, but it was narrow on both sides of the wall, so a bit more than appears - although it seems like a big building, perhaps the walls are thicker than one might expect.

BuntyB

Maybe try poking a long pointy thing into the air vent. How deep it is, does it feel like a recess etc? Does it sound hollow when tapped?

Do the neighbouring property's have fireplaces?

Basically yes it's about poking around and having a feel. Based on all the info and best guessing you can muster

SomeUser

Wall is 12 inches thick, property is part of a large detached victorian house and there's definitely chimneys coming out of the roof, it's just that I would have expected it to be built into the room a bit, like with recesses either side.

The wall sounds hollow. Ive just stuck a piece of cardboard into the airbrick and it went about 10inches in and didn't hit anything. I'm now looking for a longer piece of cardboard.

SomeUser

So it's 15 inches deep. Is that deep enough for a fireplace?

trailingspouse

This is the sort of question my OH would answer with a crowbar...

rustyboy21

15 inches deep is fine for most fireplaces.

The issue you need to look at is how many storey's is the house and where is your flat situated in this house?

If the house is 3 storeys high and you are on the ground floor, you may need to get the chimney lined ( most likely will have to) as regs state you can only go a certain height before having to line.

At the moment, I would just knock out around the air brick that is there. You will most likely find an opening of about20'' ide and 26'' high with a firebrick in there. Get a Gas Safe/HETAS registered chimney sweep in to check the flue and do al the safety checks before you start spending money on a fireplace. Obviously, you already know that radiator is going to have to move ! lol

I don't know what possesses anyone, to have a pellet stove fitted as a feature fireplace. They look god damn awful. Look like a Roman Candle at a fireworks display. Gas will be so much easier to run and a hell of a lot cheaper to buy.

SomeUser

Thanks all https://www.dropbox.com/s/nq12lr6ep2sp6ur/2014-08-24%2012.06.09.jpg?dl=0

SailorSam

You can get those inspection cameras that look like they're on the end of a piece of hosepipe. Lidl have them on offer at the moment or you'll probably get them from a hire shop for the day. Using that may get a good view of what's behind the plaster whilst doing the minimum damage.