Removing Decorative Brick Mantle Piece

FTBSteve

Hi!

I've just bought my first house, very excited.

It has a rather dated brick mantelpiece on the party wall. It looks to be cemented brick and slabs, one brick deep. I would like to remove it, but have no idea how to go about this... or even what this type of mantelpiece is called, so am finding googling it difficult...

I have a picture, but MSE blocks me posting it, as I'm a new user.

I'm new to DIY, but was looking for some advice. Is this something I could do myself? If not, what kind of tradesman would be appropriate? What sort of cost would I expect to pay?

Thanks all for your help!

phil24_7

Upload it to a photo sharing site then you will be able to post an image link.

Regards
Phil

Owain_Moneysaver

Is it likely to be original to the house - in which case it may have been built at the same time and tied into the wall, which would probably need a builder to remove.

If it's a later addition it may have been built in situ, so just start at the top with a hammer and dismantle it brick by brick, or bought ready made, and will probably be attached to the wall with a screw bracket each side which has been hidden by plaster.

FTBSteve

Thanks All

A picture is here - cant direct link as still a new user:
s27.postimg.org/wcjw01q4j/IMG_2940.jpg

It's in the location of where a fireplace used to be, 40+ years ago, so it is likely to be built in situ. I will have a go at hitting it with a hammer brick by brick, and contact a builder if it gets out of hand!

Rain_Shadow

I recently removed a substantial 60's stone fireplace. It was built when the house was new. It was simply a case of starting at the top and knocking the stone bricks out one at a time with a hammer and chisel. Quite hard work at times but not tricky. It wasn't tied into the walls of the house in any way.


I can't get the above link to work. Can someone else do it?

missbiggles1

FTBSteve wrote: »

Thanks All

A picture is here - cant direct link as still a new user:
s27.postimg.org/wcjw01q4j/IMG_2940.jpg

It's in the location of where a fireplace used to be, 40+ years ago, so it is likely to be built in situ. I will have a go at hitting it with a hammer brick by brick, and contact a builder if it gets out of hand!

Well, that certainly isn't original or integral to the wall - get your sledgehammer out!

FTBSteve

Thanks all. I'll get a chisel and get to it!

Clive_Woody

We had something quite similar when we moved into our current house. The bricks were quite well 'stuck' together and mallet and chisel was slow going.

A cheap SDS drill and chisel attachment from Screwfix made short work of the fire surround...you just need to be careful not to chisel into the wall behind as those SDS drills are powerful toys.

The SDS drill is still going strong 8 years later and has been handy for many other jobs where a standard drill was struggling.

FTBSteve

SDS drill it is! Thanks for the tip :-)

tony6403

For that job - a lump hammer and bolster chisel.
Hit the bed joints and the stone will easily come away.

zaax

Took one out a few years ago with chisel and hammer - 5 min job. Mortar not very strong so be careful it might come down in one go