Edwardian (?) cast iron bedroom fireplace removal

Misslayed

I'm about to act in a supervisory capacity to get my back bedroom renovated and modernised. It has a pretty cast iron fireplace with mantel which I really want gone - the room is quite small and needs the extra wall space. It has been in the house (a 1929 fairly ordinary 3 bed semi) since the house was built, and may not have been new when installed, judging by the design. In theory it seems to be a reasonably straightforward task for Mr. M and a strong young friend, I'm even hoping for some resale value. Most of the YouTube vids I've seen are concentrated on restoration in situ, I haven't found one specifically about removal. Any top tips from experienced folk?

daveyjp

One word of warning for any renovation on 100 year properties - asbestos.

If it has never been removed it could have asbestos boarding and liners, asbestos rope seals, asbestos cement.

FreeBear

GDB2222 said: PS: Did anyone mention soot?

If the pot isn't capped, there will be plenty of dead birds after a while.

The void will want ventilating once the fireplace has been removed - It only need be a couple of 16-25mm diameter holes near the bottom covered by a small grill.

Misslayed

FreeBear said:

GDB2222 said: PS: Did anyone mention soot?

If the pot isn't capped, there will be plenty of dead birds after a while.

The void will want ventilating once the fireplace has been removed - It only need be a couple of 16-25mm diameter holes near the bottom covered by a small grill.

Pot is capped, chimneys all swept when we moved in 32 years ago. The whole house was renovated at that point, I thought the fireplace was cute then. No asbestos found anywhere else - 3 fireplaces removed then. This renovation is only getting rid of 30ish years of overdue maintenance. 

Misslayed

We bought the house from the original owner (she was 99), I have all the original plans and specs, materials listed in great detail. 

GDB2222

Misslayed said:

We bought the house from the original owner (she was 99), I have all the original plans and specs, materials listed in great detail. 

I don't think they'd mention a bit of asbestos rope round the fireplace. It was thought to be completely inert and safe. 

Maybe I overdid my concerns, but I still think you should get an older person to help your husband, rather than risking a young person.

GDB2222

Misslayed said:

FreeBear said:

GDB2222 said: PS: Did anyone mention soot?

If the pot isn't capped, there will be plenty of dead birds after a while.

The void will want ventilating once the fireplace has been removed - It only need be a couple of 16-25mm diameter holes near the bottom covered by a small grill.

Pot is capped, chimneys all swept when we moved in 32 years ago. The whole house was renovated at that point, I thought the fireplace was cute then. No asbestos found anywhere else - 3 fireplaces removed then. This renovation is only getting rid of 30ish years of overdue maintenance. 

People were not much troubled about asbestos 30 years ago, so they might not have noticed or mentioned it.

We moved in in 1998, and there was an old cast iron boiler in the house. The builders took it apart, as it was heavy, and there was clear evidence of woolly white insulation inside. They weren't bothered, and it went in the skip.

FreeBear

Misslayed said:

We bought the house from the original owner (she was 99), I have all the original plans and specs, materials listed in great detail. 

If it were built in 1929, the little old lady wouldn't have been the original owner. Inherited from her parents most likely.

I've got all the conveyancing documents for *this place (1928/9 build) and they show about 7 transfers of ownership. Two of them by way of assent.

Misslayed

GDB2222 said:

Misslayed said:

We bought the house from the original owner (she was 99), I have all the original plans and specs, materials listed in great detail. 

I don't think they'd mention a bit of asbestos rope round the fireplace. It was thought to be completely inert and safe. 

Maybe I overdid my concerns, but I still think you should get an older person to help your husband, rather than risking a young person.

'Young' is relative when you get to our advance years. He took the first two out. 

Misslayed

@freebFreeBear said:

Misslayed said:

We bought the house from the original owner (she was 99), I have all the original plans and specs, materials listed in great detail. 

If it were built in 1929, the little old lady wouldn't have been the original owner. Inherited from her parents most likely.

I've got all the conveyancing documents for *this place (1928/9 build) and they show about 7 transfers of ownership. Two of them by way of assent.

No, I have all the original bills of sale, in her husband's name of course! And extensive conversations with her son, who was in his 70s. There were 3 other original owners that I knew about still living within 100 yards in 1992. Possibly others further along judging by the similar condition of the houses. 

Misslayed

Edited to add photos.