How do you remove a fireplace surround?
- Remove the corbel braces under the mantel if the mantel has them.
- Chip off the masonry around stone or brick corbels using a cold chisel and masonry hammer.
- Remove screws from wooden corbels using a drill driver.
- Push upward on the mantel, rocking it up and down to loosen it.
How to clean soot and smoke on a fireplace surround?
To remove soot and smoke stains:
- Make a paste from TSP and water.
- Apply the paste to a sponge, and use it to scrub the black stains.
- Rinse the sponge thoroughly, and remove any residue with clean water.
How to remodel a fireplace surround?
The Top 70 Fireplace Surround Ideas – Interior Home Design
- Fireplace Mantel Ideas. The mantel on your fireplace is the decorative shelf just above the surround. ...
- Fireplace Tile Ideas. When it comes to creating a unique yet durable look for your fireplace, you can’t go wrong with tile.
- Electric Fireplace Ideas. ...
- Faux Fireplace Ideas. ...
- Painted Fireplace Ideas. ...
- Marble Fireplace Ideas. ...
- Modern Gas Fireplace Ideas. ...
How to reface a fireplace surround and hearth?
The Material You Choose Can Make a Huge Difference
- Mantel. The mantel is one of the major eye-catchers of your fireplace. ...
- Surround. The surround is also a big part of the look of your fireplace. ...
- Firebox. When refacing your fireplace, you normally would not be replacing the firebox. ...
- Hearth Extension. ...
- Fire Safety Screen. ...
How to tile over an existing fireplace surround?
- I recommend sketching out a diagram of your fireplace on SketchUp, Powerpoint, or even by hand (just use centimeters on a ruler in place of feet for a rough sketch) ...
- When you have a general design idea, lay the uncut tile on the ground to visualize the fireplace surround shape. ...
- Oh. ...
How is a fireplace surround attached?
Many modern fire surrounds use a hidden fireplace fitting bracket. One bracket is fit to the wall, while a corresponding second bracket is screwed to the fire surround. They then simply slip together without the need for any messy looking screws around the edges.
Can you remove a brick fireplace surround?
Removing a brick fireplace can be a long and difficult job, but you can do it with a bit of experience and the right tools. First, start by protecting and sealing your work area so dust and debris don't get all over your home.
What is the surround around a fireplace called?
Mantle/Mantel: Refers to the framework around the fireplace, especially the piece above the entablature that protrudes out (mantelshelf, mantelpiece).
How do you remove a fireplace box?
Safety gloves and boots.Step 1: Remove the Trim. Using a hammer, mallet, or pry bar, you will want to remove the trim and any nails around the fireplace that is holding the insert in place. ... Step 2: Disassemble pipes and Vents. ... Step 3: Pry the Insert. ... Step 4: Set it off to the Side.
How do you remove a stone fireplace surround?
A brick or stone fire surround A real brick or stone fire surround needs to be removed brick by brick (or stone by stone). Wearing protective gloves and safety spectacles, use a hammer and cold chisel to chip away the mortar to loosen each brick/stone starting at the end of the top course, work your way along and down.
How do you modernize a brick fireplace?
There are a few ways to make your fireplace feel new again. You can paint the brick, change up the mantel design, extend the mantel to the ceiling, add some fresh home decor elements, or all of the above.
Does a fireplace need a surround?
A fireplace does not always necessarily need a surround, but the requirements for a fireplace surround must be in line with local and national codes and building regulations. What is this? A fireplace can also look very bare if there's no surround.
What is a fireplace surround kit?
A fireplace surround kit is a kit that allows homeowners, builders, or contractors to create a sort of frontispiece for a fireplace. The fireplace surround itself is a series of pieces that fit around the mouth of the fireplace.
Can I remove the hearth from my fireplace?
1:022:57How to Remove a Hearth (Fireplace)! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce i removed enough hole bricks for my other project i used my hammer to break up the remainingMoreOnce i removed enough hole bricks for my other project i used my hammer to break up the remaining bricks on the surface of the hearth. After i had the top to the bottom layer removed.
How do you remove a factory built fireplace?
Inspect the facing around the fireplace to determine your course of action in removing the surrounding structure.Pulverize existing tile with a hammer. Chip away the pieces to remove the tile from the wall. ... Unscrew the metal pipe or flue from the top opening of the fireplace.Return to the interior of the home.
How do you remove a metal fireplace frame?
How to Remove Framed Fireplace DoorsLook Inside Fireplace. To assess your specific fireplace, open the doors, grab a flashlight, and take a look inside. ... Unscrew the Hardware. Using whichever tool your specific hardware calls for, loosen the screws starting with the bottom brackets. ... Slide the Frame Out.
Is it easy to remove a fireplace?
Removing a fireplace isn't easy, either. “The removal would not only be expensive but could compromise the home's stability,” Katina Asbell, associate broker at Real Living Capital City Realty in Atlanta, told realtor.com®. The masonry base and chimney tend to be a big part of a home's structure.
What is a hollow surround fireplace?
Fireplace surrounds are typically hollow, meaning that they can either be attached to the wall directly or attached to something located behind the surround like another piece of wood. In the case of our fireplace surround, it was attached to the wall with two metal brackets that stuck up from behind the surround.
Why do fireplaces have surrounds?
Many fireplaces have a surround to help make them more of a focal point for a room. Some fireplaces have surrounds and mantels that are part of the structure of a fireplace, meaning that they can’t be removed without professional help or without incurring significant costs. Structural surrounds and mantels will typically be an extension ...
Where are the bolts on a fireplace mantle?
Bolts are screwed into the wall above the fireplace before a mantel is slotted straight onto it. A fireplace mantle may also be screwed onto a piece of a wood that is already attached to the wall. In this case any screws or nails may be located on top or beneath the mantel.
Can a fireplace surround come off the wall?
If a fireplace surround won’t come away from the wall without brute force, then it may still be attached to the wall in another location. You may find that removing a fireplace surround from a wall will leave a fireplace back panel still attached. In our case, we simply had to unscrew the back panel from the wall in the locations show below.
Can you remove a fireplace insert without removing the gas?
A gas-registered professional confirmed that the gas insert wasn’t connected to the mains gas, and so we could remove it without professional help. If you can’t remove your fireplace surround without first removing a gas fireplace insert then be sure to get a professional to give their opinion.
Can a fireplace mantle be removed?
Although fireplace surrounds will include a mantel as part of the structure, many open fireplaces can be found with simply a mantle located on its own above the fireplace. In this case the mantle may not be an integrated part of the fireplace and so can be removed without affecting any other parts of the fireplace.
Seven Reasons Why You Want to Remove Old Fireplace Surround
You can see the wood rafters and floor joists, or there may be a gap between the fireplace surround and the ceiling.
10 Ways on How to Remove a Fireplace Surround
All you have to do for this method is remove the drywall that covers the fireplace surround. This will expose the studs and any blocking that might be in place to secure the fireplace surround. You can then hammer away at it until it gives, but if there are studs behind it, you need to be careful not to hurt yourself or damage the studs.
Precautions and Safety Measures
Before and during your fireplace surround removal and re-installation, always take the following precautions:
When You Know Contractors Will Be Required?
1. Your fireplace surround is in such poor condition that it needs to be replaced right away.
How Easy Is It to Change a Fireplace Surround?
Before you pull out your hair in frustration, do a quick mental check to see what type of surround you’re dealing with. For example, if it’s an inset surround (the fireplace opening is inset into the wall) and there is no mantel involved (i.e., the firebox has an exposed side), then removing the surround will be a relatively simple process.
Conclusion
Removing the fireplace surround isn’t as hard as one would think, but it does take a good amount of time and patience. Make sure to cover all the steps mentioned on how to remove a fireplace surround.
How are fire surrounds secured?
Modern timber fire surrounds are often secured to the chimney breast using lugs on the side hidden behind the plaster. Old timber fire surrounds were often screwed to wooden battens fixed to the chimney breast.
What is a tile fire surround?
A tiled fire surround usually has a concrete backing to which the tiles are fixed and is screwed to the chimney breast through metal lugs, in the same manner as a cast-iron surround. The concrete means that the surround will be very heavy, and it is best to have someone else available to hold it steady and help move it away.
What is a fire surround made of?
Start by checking that the fire surround is made from real brick or stone and not just thin brick or stone facings attached to a concrete backing. If it is just brick or stone facing, removal in the same as for a tiled surround above.
Can a hearth be bricked up?
A hearth, which may have been fitted with any of the above. Once a fire surround has been removed, the opening can be bricked up, or boarded up over a timber frame built across the front of the opening. Before the opening is closed up, the chimney should be swept and the top of the chimney capped by a builder.
Step 1
Run the blade of a utility knife along the seam where the fireplace surround meets the wall, along both sides and the top.
Step 2
Locate the studs in the wall with an electronic stud finder. Place sticky notes on the wall where the studs are.
Step 3
Attach cardboard to the wall directly above the fireplace surround with masking tape. This will protect the wall from damage as you work. Transfer the sticky notes to the cardboard, if necessary.
Step 4
Wrap the end of your flat bar with masking tape. This will keep the flat bar from damaging the wall.
Step 5
Slip the flat bar between the top of the fireplace surround and the wall where a stud is located. Hit the free end of the flat bar to pry the fireplace surround from the wall. Repeat for the other studs across the top of the fireplace surround.
Where is the gas valve located on a fireplace?
This is usually a valve located between the main gas pipe and the first appliance , and it’s known as a house-side shutoff valve.
How much weight can a fireplace insert hold?
A fireplace insert can be 250 lb (110 kg) or more. The insert has probably settled into place, so a crowbar will help you start to loosen it from its surroundings. Remember to use your legs to bear most of the weight when you're lifting something heavy.
Do you need to remove a fireplace insert?
Whether you want to update the look of your fireplace or you need to get it up to code before you sell your house, chances are you’ll need to remove your fireplace insert. A fireplace insert is made to sit inside of a traditional masonry fireplace in order to help it heat more efficiently.
Can you take off a fireplace insert?
Since fireplace inserts are very heavy, it will help if you can take off as much weight as possible. If you see anything that you can dismantle, take it off before trying to move the insert. Look for screws you can take off with a wrench to help loosen the various pieces.
Can you move a fireplace insert down stairs?
This method is going to work best with a hardwood floor, but you still might need someone to help you move it, especially if you have to lift it over a raised sill to get it out the door. If your fireplace is on a second floor, you’ll probably need the help of professional movers to get the insert down the stairs.
How thick is a piece of plywood for a fireplace?
Get a piece of plywood that’s 1⁄4 – 1⁄2 inch (0.64–1.27 cm) thick and extends about 3–4 feet (91 –122 cm) out from your fireplace. Surround your entire fireplace with the plywood for the entirety of your work so you don’t need to worry about your flooring. You can use pieces of scrap plywood if you have some.
How to get a chimney to open on your roof?
Climb onto your roof so you can access the chimney. Place a ladder against the side of your home closest to the chimney and carefully climb to your roof. Maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder as you climb so you’re less likely to slip and fall.
What to wear when you remove bricks?
Wear a respirator, safety glasses, and work gloves when you remove bricks. Cutting through bricks and mortar can create a lot of dust that can be harmful to breathe or cause eye irritation. Get safety glasses that completely cover your eyes and a respirator that goes over your nose and mouth to stay protected.
Can you take brick off a chimney?
Once all of the mortar around the brick is loose, the brick will easily come off your chimney. Throw the brick down into the dumpster below you once you get it off your chimney. Avoid using power tools or a sledgehammer when you remove your chimney since you could lose your balance and fall off of your roof.
Can you remove a fireplace from the roof?
If you don’t feel comfortable getting on your roof, hire a contractor to remove your chimney instead. You can still remove the rest of the fireplace yourself once they take out the chimney. You do not need to remove your chimney if the fireplace bricks don’t extend all the way up through your home.
