It is Messy
Regardless of your motivation, this is a relatively simple task, but one that may be rather messy and tiresome at times. One of the most essential things to keep in mind is the possibility that you will remove soot and debris that has accumulated in the chimney flue over the years, which, if you are not prepared for it, might result in a significant mess. Dust sheets should be used to cover everything in the room, any furniture that can be moved should be moved as far away as possible, and the carpet should be rolled back if at all feasible. If the fireplace has been used in the recent past, it is recommended that the chimney be cleaned, either by the homeowner or by a professional chimney sweep.
In most cases, wooden surrounds will be kept in place in a manner analogous to this by making use of a number of lugs that have been fastened all the way around the edge. It’s also possible to screw it straight through the sidewalls and into the battens that are attached to the chimney breast.
Examine the surrounding area to see if there are any wooden plugs or filler circles that might be hiding screw heads. Remove the retaining screws and the screws holding the piece in place if you can locate them. In the event that you are unable to locate them, you may be required to remove a strip of plaster from the surround in order to expose the concealed lugs. You should only proceed with this step if there is no visible space between the rear of the surround and the plaster of the chimney breast.
Surroundings Comprised of Brick and Stone
Using a bolster chisel and a club hammer, the brick or stone that surrounds the opening will have to be chipped away piece by chip. By a wide margin, removing this style of surround will be the messiest and most laborious option.
Take your time, and don’t try to eliminate an excessive amount all at once. To break the link that holds the bricks or stones to the wall, start at the rear of the element and remove them one at a time, if necessary. There is a possibility that you may discover metal links connecting the brick or stone construction to the wall. Remove them by first removing the surrounding bricks, and then either cutting them off at the wall or chipping away the mortar that is keeping them in place until they are loose enough to be pulled out.
Surroundings Made of Cast Iron
The lugs that are positioned around the borders of the cast iron surrounds are often what are used to secure them to the chimney breast. In order to find the lugs and remove the screws, the plaster surrounding the surround will need to be chipped down by approximately 25 millimeters in all directions. If the screws are rusted, soak them in penetrating oil for a while, and then give it another shot. If you are still unable to move them, you will need to drill out the heads of the screws.
After taking out all of the screws, carefully lower the surround until it is on the ground, and then move it out of the way. There is a high demand for period cast iron fireplace surrounds; thus, if the one you have is in good shape and you no longer desire it, you should consider putting it up for sale or consulting with an architectural salvage yard in your area if it is still in this condition.
In support of knowing these essential information, it is for the best that you also have a company you can count on to help you with Chimney Cleaning Placerville and repairing like Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning.
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