Unfortunately, this isnt as simple as it sounds and may even prove more costly than its worth.
There are a number of important factors to consider before you begin tearing down your old chimney.
Chimney Removal First Steps
Your oldchimney typesare demolished one brick at a time starting from the top.
In fact, it is possible to do more harm than good by damaging the buildings structural integrity.
This could cost you much more than the actual project itself!
Just be sure to maintain safety by using a sturdy ladder or a scaffold.
Start by removing the chimney breast first.
The breast is part of the interior wall that surrounds the chimney.
Stack the bricks in a 5-gallon bucket and lower it to the ground using a rope.
Repeat the process if necessary.
The siding on the wall from which youve removed the chimney breast will also need to be filled.
Some people prefer to keep the chimney breast intact when demolishing their old chimney.
This is a partial removal process, which we will discuss in the next section.
The chimney breast doesnt have to be removed at all.
If you wish, it’s possible for you to leave it as part of your homes decoration.
Full chimney removals tend to be time-consuming and much more complex as you have to remove the entire structure.
The end result will be large gaps that require filling so be prepared for the extra cost.
The latter will significantly add to the costs of the procedure.
Depending on the rates charged by professionals and the scale of the work involved, the costs will vary.
The brickworks condition is critical in ensuring safe removal of the bricks.
When removing the chimney breast, you must also remove the fireplace hearths at ground or first floor level.
