removal of fireplace...and surrounding

[TryC]

Hey All,

 

Some advice please. 

 

The gas fire was removed and capped. We would like to remove the mantle/old fireplace surrounding completely and decorate. 

 

Would a builder do the removal or could a decorater do it?

 

Also, guessing the middle part needs filling or does it need to be left so air flow can still go "up" or what not for the house to "breathe"/won't cause internal problems like damp our mold.

 

If blocking it is OK, which would be the better option...blocking it with bricks or blocking it with wood and insulation?

 

Any advice appreciated.  Thanks!

[twice round the block]

Can you post a photo of the whole wall that the fire place is attached to taken from the other side of the room, so I can see the ceiling line as well.

[TryC]

14 hours ago, twice round the block said:

Can you post a photo of the whole wall that the fire place is attached to taken from the other side of the room, so I can see the ceiling line as well.

hi!

Thanks. 

 

Just have these for now. will try getting more.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

[TryC]

20 minutes ago, TryC said:

hi!

Thanks. 

 

Just have these for now. will try getting more.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

 

14 hours ago, twice round the block said:

Can you post a photo of the whole wall that the fire place is attached to taken from the other side of the room, so I can see the ceiling line as well.

[twice round the block]

Thank you  for the extra photos. 

In your very first photo it looks as if the brickwork reveals inside the fireplace are not tied into the rear wall, and there is a void on both the left and right sides.

Is this the case?

As the surround was just for decorative purposes  I can't see a problem with a decorator removing it and making good.

I'm more concerned about the construction of the fire place and what's going on with that.

[TryC]

3 hours ago, twice round the block said:

Thank you  for the extra photos. 

In your very first photo it looks as if the brickwork reveals inside the fireplace are not tied into the rear wall, and there is a void on both the left and right sides.

Is this the case?

As the surround was just for decorative purposes  I can't see a problem with a decorator removing it and making good.

I'm more concerned about the construction of the fire place and what's going on with that.

hi,

 

I'm not sure what you mean?

 

the fireplace has been removed. but will check and see if I can get a better photo closer inside? would that help?

[joe90]

That’s a minster fire surround, very nice. Anyway, the flue needs ventilation but you can block it off with a timber frame and plasterboard but put a vent on the plasterboard . https://www.screwfix.com/p/map-vent-fixed-louvre-vent-with-flyscreen-white-229mm-x-152mm/4695d   Or similar. 

[TryC]

4 hours ago, twice round the block said:

Thank you  for the extra photos. 

In your very first photo it looks as if the brickwork reveals inside the fireplace are not tied into the rear wall, and there is a void on both the left and right sides.

Is this the case?

As the surround was just for decorative purposes  I can't see a problem with a decorator removing it and making good.

I'm more concerned about the construction of the fire place and what's going on with that.

hi,

 

I took some more photos for your kind review.

[joe90]

Is that a gas pipe and is it live (connected)? I would get it removed if you are blanking off the opening. The surround and the “marble” needs removing, the blocks to each side are just to reduce the “builders opening “ to the size  of the fire surround and can be left in place. Secondly is that a ventilation hole at the back of the opening to fresh air? If so you don’t need ventilation into the room like I said above.

[TryC]

12 minutes ago, joe90 said:

Is that a gas pipe and is it live (connected)? I would get it removed if you are blanking off the opening. The surround and the “marble” needs removing, the blocks to each side are just to reduce the “builders opening “ to the size  of the fire surround and can be left in place. Secondly is that a ventilation hole at the back of the opening to fresh air? If so you don’t need ventilation into the room like I said above.

hi,

 

Yes, the gas pipe has been capped, and yes, the ventilation hole connects to fresh air 😀

[joe90]

14 minutes ago, TryC said:

Yes, the gas pipe has been capped,

But does the pipe still hold gas?, it needs removing (regs as far as I am aware).

[TryC]

1 hour ago, joe90 said:

But does the pipe still hold gas?, it needs removing (regs as far as I am aware).

hi,

 

the gas is isolated both in the garage and behind the old fireplace. The pipe has a cap on the end and is also disconnected in the garage. The pipework is just left in situ incase its needed again in the future.

[joe90]

27 minutes ago, TryC said:

the gas is isolated both in the garage and behind the old fireplace

So the answer is no, great, I just wanted to raise it as a possible issue 👍

[TryC]

26 minutes ago, joe90 said:

So the answer is no, great, I just wanted to raise it as a possible issue 👍

Hi,

 

thanks!

 

Can I please ask, was the person who capped it off supposed to provide me with any paperwork or certificate re the works done?

[joe90]

3 minutes ago, TryC said:

Hi,

 

thanks!

 

Can I please ask, was the person who capped it off supposed to provide me with any paperwork or certificate re the works done?

No but he should have been “gas safe” registered. Don’t worry about that as long as there is no gas in that pipe 👍.