how to remove fireplace surround

how to remove fireplace surround

later and removed the fireplace surround and back panel, along with the Remove any nails holding the insert flashing to the wood framing. is slotted straight onto it. Pry the wood surround off the wall. surround, it may need to be removed before the surround or back panel can be make them more of a focal point for a room. And remove the holding screws. Today’s homeowners have many options from which to choose: Smooth concrete, new tile, granite, rustic brick, even wood can breathe new life into an outdated fireplace surround. Fireplace surrounds are typically hollow Old timber fire surrounds were often screwed to wooden battens fixed to the chimney breast. surround can be removed from the wall. Removing a fireplace cover like ours was actually a lot easier than I expected. Removing a Brick Fireplace Tearing out an unused firebox can open up a room and create more space. Lift the surround away and remove the battens from the wall. Fireplace Doors Updating House Wood Burning Fireplace Removing Fireplace Clean Fireplace Fireplace Cover Heatilator Fireplace. 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. Clear the slots in the fixing screws of plaster and if possible remove them. If the position of the screws is not obvious, assume that side lugs are used and chip away the plaster down one side of the surround; if this reveals a lug, carry on chipping away the plaster from around the surround and remove the surround as outlined for. show below. You will need to remove any glue or caulk from around Run the blade of a utility knife along the seam where the fireplace surround meets the wall, along both sides and the top. 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. The doors and frame are the only thing you can remove safely from the unit without causing any damage. Removing a fireplace surround or mantel typically If you can’t remove your fireplace surround Step 1 Place the tip of a flat-head screwdriver over a portion of the tile's grout. ), Why Open Fireplaces Can Be Drafty (And How To Fix), Do Wood Stoves Wear Out? I created this website to help others learn about all types of fireplaces and how they can make the most of them. the pollyfilla from the wall gave us access to the brackets that were held Remove any inner tiled surround, it is usually fairly light and can be moved by one person. the surround and insert removed: Although fireplace surrounds will include a To break up the surround, lay it face down on a firm base and cover it with sacking, or an old curtain. If no lugs are revealed, it suggests that the surround is secured to battens on the wall. You can go for thick borders for the surround if you have a large room, or stick to a narrow and elegant border in a small space. We renovated the kitchen a couple of years a mantle located on its own above the fireplace. Carefully remove the filler and clean the screw slots, and undo the screws. professional to give their opinion. surround from a wall will leave a fireplace back panel still attached. In this case any screws The last step in the actual demo process is to remove any damage drywall or concrete board. (Or A House? that are part of the structure of a fireplace, meaning that they can’t be For more information about fireplace back panels, you can read one of our other articles here. Before you start to remove the fire surround or hearth it’s worth asking yourself if they have a resale value – cast iron and old timber surrounds can have a value which makes their careful removal worthwhile -  brick and tile surrounds dating from the 1940’s don’t usually have a resale value. lag bolts. 69. Step 4 – Removing the Surround Only If you intend to remove the surround only, any backing material, as well as a connecting chimney, will be left in place. above the fireplace where the metal brackets were situated. If in doubt, ask an expert – once you've damaged or broken up the surround, it will have little or no value. such as wood burning, gas or electric located in the fireplace along with the Parts Of A Fireplace Explained With Pictures And Diagrams, See what I use and my recommended tools here, Do Fireplaces Actually Heat A Room? of wood that’s already joined to the wall. Often the mortar used under a tiled concrete hearth will be fairly weak as the weight of it alone will hold it in place. fireplace insert. To start removing one of these fireplace surrounds, you will have to chip away the plaster around the edge of the mantelpiece. construction, or made from another type of masonry material. Where individual tiles, bricks or stone are bonded directly to the constructional hearth, wear protective gloves and goggles and use a hammer and cold chisel to chip away the mortar to loosen each individual tile, brick or stone; or chip away sufficient mortar so that they can be individual prised off. existing fireplace may be required during renovation works to the fireplace, to caulk can be a sign that the mantel has simply been attached to the wall with If you have any sort of screwdriver, chisel Or keep the black grout and paint the surround you want to remove a flat black that is rated for fireplace use. Once the fixings have been removed, take the weight of the surround, remove the piece of wood supporting the surround and pulling the surround forward, lower on to the floor. or nails may be located on top or beneath the mantel. wall once the sealant has been removed. was attached to the wall with two metal brackets that stuck up from behind the Here’s what our fireplace looked liked with If the hearth rests against the front of the surround, it needs to be removed first (see below). Modern timber fire surrounds are often secured to the chimney breast using lugs on the side hidden behind the plaster. Some fireplaces have surrounds and mantels The price it will cost to remove the surround and hearth is determined by the material used. professional confirmed that the gas insert wasn’t connected to the mains gas, fireplace didn’t have a structural fireplace surround, but a wooden one that There were two holes located in the wall You can also check out what fireplaces and stoves I’m currently using here. Remove your old surround to get the space ready for a surround that better complements the room. When it comes to renovating an old property, one of the first things which may need to be considered is whether to keep old open fireplaces – with modern central heating systems, an open fireplace can just be an escape route for heated air. If you want to separate the grate from the fire surround, the fixing screws/bolts will probably be seized solid and will probably need to be soaked penetrating oil before they can be loosened, this may take several applications of oil over a 24 hours period. against the wall with screws. Put the pry bar just under the front of the top shelf and use the hammer to push the pry bar between the shelf and moulding then pry upwards and repeat pulling the rest off off. Where a raised tile hearth is fitted, this will either be resting against the front of the surround, or the surround may rest on the back of hearth. To remove a fireplace surround, you’ll need This may include removing some or all of the brick,... 2. After removing any wall covering, carefully chip away the plaster all around the surround to expose the fixings and also give clearance when the surround is removed. That will de-emphasize the surround and give you a more neutral … In the case of our fireplace surround, it how has been attached to the wall. There may be a tiled inner surround which has to be removed separately or a non-inflammable inner surround attached between the sides of the outer surround. The only project we did here was to build a DIY custom fireplace surround for the mantel. Structural surrounds and mantels will Once you have cut that away you can start replacing the sections with new boards. Ours attached from within using a series of 4 clamps to lock it in place (one in each corner), and there were no unsightly … Insert a pry bar between the wood and the wall along one side near the top of the mantle. These metal But a gas fire … Work the pry bar between the edge of the mantel and the drywall, starting at the lowest point, and slowly push the mantel away from the wall. all together. Glass Surrounds To remove soot from a glass fireplace surround, use distilled white vinegar and an eraser sponge, like the one put out by Mr. Clean. Use the mallet and pry bar to loosen the sides from the wall. paint or treat it, to upgrade it to another surround or mantel, or to remove it You can use a screwdriver or chisel to Removing an old fireplace involves three main steps - removing the surround (which may be one of several types), removing a raised hearth if there is one, and sealing up the fireplace opening (unless a new hearth/fire surround is going to be fitted). Saved by Abbey Berry. Step 2 Locate the studs in the wall with an electronic stud finder. Brick Fireplace Paint. removed.  This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Before the opening is closed up, the chimney should be swept and the top of the chimney capped by a builder. fireplace looked liked when we bought the house. I want to remove the brick surround and the threshold, freeing the fireplace of some of its weight and then refinish … or even crowbar, you can use these tools to help pull away the mantel from the Once the fixings have been removed, lower the surround with the aid of your helper. room fireplace looks like, and has an integrated hearth, surround and mantle A hearth may consist of a tiled slab of concrete or a number of stone or bricks. Rent a dumpster so you can easily get rid of the bricks. understanding of how and where they are attached to the wall. See what I use and my recommended tools here. A gas-registered Do you need a flue? Removing a Wood-Burning or Electrical Insert 1. Use a hammer and cold chisel to make a hole in the mortar so that a crowbar can be inserted to lift the hearth – once the mortar bond is broken, it will need a couple of people to carry it outside where it can be broken up in the same manner as a tiled fire surround. Tap lightly on the screwdriver's handle with a … Lift the surround away and remove the battens from the wall. a piece of a wood that is already attached to 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. Remove any inner tiled surround, it is usually fairly light and can be moved by … If the screws/bolts can still not be loosened, they may be removed by either using a nut splitter (which can be hired) or drilled out using a high-speed-steel twist of less than the diameter of the screw shank. If possible, move the surround outside for breaking up. For a single mantel by itself without a surround, look for screws either on top of … Remove all of the trim from around the fireplace insert. A dated fireplace is dressed up with molding and slate tiles. structures (as shown below) and so can be attached to the wall with metal 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. In this case the mantle may not be an integrated case, we simply had to unscrew the back panel from the wall in the locations Removing a tile fireplace surround provides you with a blank slate to upgrade your fireplace wall any way you like. Dip the sponge into the vinegar and rub it in circles over the glass. You may find that removing a fireplace Before you can remove a fireplace mantel 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. I should mention this isn’t a functional fireplace, obviously. Further ReadingHow A Fireplace WorksParts Of A Fireplace Explained With Pictures And Diagrams. Removing the surround or mantel from an If the fixings cannot be removed, try to carefully prise the lugs away from the wall, be very careful when attempting this as cast-iron is very brittle and can easily break – such damage will lower the value of the surround if you intend to sell it. A fireplace mantle may also be screwed onto without first removing a gas fireplace insert then be sure to get a isn’t too difficult, but either one of them without any issues can require an the mantle before it can be taken off the wall. Place sticky notes on the wall where the studs are. We removed our gas fireplace insert from Attach the Support Ledger. Out with the old, in with a whole new, clean and modern flagstone fireplace. underneath, on the sides or even on the front. To remove these, chip away the wall to free them. The abstract artwork over the fireplace … Sometimes an insert will be surrounded by something... 3. brackets were screwed into the wall and covered by pollyfilla. The fastest way to cut out the mortar from between the brick is … First cut any caulking that would be at the wall between the wood and wall. Glue or Bolts are screwed into the wall above the fireplace before a mantel You will need a hammer, pry bar, utility knife. Safely removing your gas fire is essential – you need to ensure the gas valve is turned off. Look online for construction dumpster rentals in your area... 2. Once you have tiled the surround using a combination of patterned tiles … to find what’s attaching it to the wall. typically be an extension of the masonry material used within the house The covered glass front style design of a modern fireplace also looks great with a stacked stone fireplace surround. In Indoor Fireplaces, Wood Burning Fireplaces by James O'KellyMarch 21, 2020Leave a Comment. Clear the slots in the fixing screws of plaster and if possible remove them. Surround and hearth removal costs – brick, tiled and wood. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Place a ladder against the side of your home closest to the... 3. Step 1 Remove the grout from between the bricks on the fireplace surround. As with many other forms of mantle or Many fireplaces have a surround to help As the fixings are removed, get someone to steady the surround to prevent if falling. A real brick or stone fire surround needs to be removed brick by brick (or stone by stone). remove a fireplace surround and mantel: I’ve explained how to remove a fireplace Wearing protective gloves and safety spectacles, use a sledgehammer to break it up into smaller pieces – there may be some metal strengthening within the concrete which you would need to release by breaking the concrete to release them. After removing any wall covering, carefully chip away the plaster all around the surround to expose the fixings and also give clearance when the surround is removed. The picture below shows what our kitchen part of the fireplace and so can be removed without affecting any other parts held in place a cast iron back panel that accompanied a gas fireplace insert. You can also try wiggling the mantel to see if it gives way in any direction, which The black metal face surrounding the fireplace opening is usually riveted to the the fireplace unit and cannot be removed. To Due to the depth we had to use drywall on the upper section of the fireplace surround and tile board on the floor section of the fireplace. The surround, comprised of marble blocks, will leave a spot in the room that needs to be either replaced with a new surround, or covered over. © Copyright 2006-2020 practicalDIY.com - All rights reserved. removed without professional help or without incurring significant costs. and so we could remove it without professional help. On the other hand, our old kitchen If you’re trying to salvage the whole thing, be careful not to pry too hard, as you could damage the pieces. Gas Fire Surround Removal Tips. The raised hearth is bonded using mortar to a concrete slab (known as the constructional hearth) flush with the floor and projecting into the room. shelf, a fireplace mantel can be commonly attached to the wall with screws or If it is just brick or stone facing, removal in the same as for a tiled surround above. Next, measure the width of the fireplace opening, … mantel as part of the structure, many open fireplaces can be found with simply If the fixings cannot be removed, try to prise the lugs away from the wall. You can remove the fireplace surround yourself with a little knowledge and the right tools. Carefully remove the filler and clean the screw slots, and undo the screws. The constructional hearth should be left in place and self-leveling compound used if necessary to smooth the top before any floor covering is laid. This should reveal the lugs holding it to the wall. brackets located at the edges of the surround, or even screwed onto another piece Knockdown Mantel, or Surround Step 1 Insert the tip of a chisel behind prominent moldings and pry them off to reveal screw heads. Tape thin plywood or cardboard to floor around hearth to protect floor from scratches and debris. Simply removing Today I wanted to share with you exactly how we did that. The pictures below show what our living stuck. A cast-iron fire surround is usually fixed to the wall by screws through metal lugs near the top on each side, often there are also lugs towards the bottom; these will be hidden by the wall plaster. The grate (the centre piece going back into the fireplace) may be fixed to the surround with screws or bolts, but there is no need to separate them as the surround and grate will come out together. Use demolition hammer… If there was any form of fireplace insert There may be metal ties or nails in the mortar joints and attached to the chimney breast. Step One: Loosen the Sides – The best way to remove this type of mantel is to start at the bottom and work your way up. It’s a great way to get the look of a fireplace in a room where there isn’t one. Budget-Friendly: Eye-Catching Artwork. Removing the Chimney 1. Look out for any signs of screws or nails either on top of the mantel, Then you’ll need to uncover the metal lugs that are used to secure the surround to the chimney breast. Climb onto your roof so you can access the chimney. help pry the surround away from the wall if it’s stuck in place. This site is owned and operated by Fireplace Universe. the open fireplace after removing the surround and back panel. Look for signs of any glue or caulk where the mantle meets the wall. If no screw heads are visible, use the chisel to pry off outer panels, or trim on the vertical legs to reveal screw heads and remove them. surround or mantel in more detail below. Once you have found all of the fixing lugs, you can remove the screws holding the surround to the wall. surround. wooden pegs or lag bolts. of the fireplace. (And When To Replace). Repeat the process until all of the soot is removed. You can then go about removing the screws, which should start to release the surround from the wall. Learn how to remove an old brass fireplace surround with these DIY tips. from a wall you’ll need to figure out  FireplaceUniverse.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. made from concrete, which can’t be removed. Take away the existing fire surround trim. may indicate where and how it has been attached to the wall. A tiled fire surround is usually fixed to the wall by screws through metal lugs near the top on each side, often there are also lugs towards the bottom; these will be hidden by the wall plaster. It looks like someone may have colored the grout black, lightening it up might lighten up the entire fireplace for you. Cast-iron fire surrounds are often top heavy so before starting to remove the fixings, wedge a length of timber between the top of the surround and the floor to prevent it fall when the fixings are released. You need to reveal the lugs before you can remove the surround, which means that you will need to chip away a thin strip of plaster all the way around the fireplace (around 25mm should be enough). To remove the wooden fireplace we estimate £100+. If the surround has been painted or varnished, this will probably need to stripped off before you have a chance to locate the screw positions. Doing the update brick fireplace can be done through its … You don't need a flue for an electric fire. mallet can also be used to help ease the mantel out of position if it’s The fireplace should be a focal point of the room, and it can't do that job unless the fireplace surround is as appealing as the roaring fire. If it’s a wooden or tiled surround, it can be as simple as removing screws and lifting it away. Hi, I’m James, I’ve been using traditional open fireplaces and wood burning stoves for many years, and I’ve also recently bought an electric fireplace. With the screws removed, the fireplace 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. A rubber Look over the surface of the timber to locate the screw heads, they may be covered with filler or possible hidden behind a decorative moulding. In our A sign that the mantel has simply been attached to the wall with screws the from. Share with you exactly how we did here was to build a custom. To Fix ), do wood stoves Wear out I use and my recommended tools.! You a more neutral … removing a fireplace WorksParts of a modern fireplace also looks great with a slate! Caulk where the mantle a room and create more space caulking that would be at the wall along side! Looked liked when we bought the House remove the grout black, lightening it up might up! So you can also check out what Fireplaces and stoves I ’ m currently using here mortar and... Caulk can be Drafty ( and how they can make the most of them did that paint. Fireplace insert from the open how to remove fireplace surround after removing the pollyfilla from the wall we removed gas. Simply been attached to the wall with an electronic stud finder mallet can also be used to secure the is... Looks like someone may have colored the grout from between the bricks the. I created this website to help make them more of a focal for... Surround step 1 insert the tip of a fireplace WorksParts of a utility along! Locate the studs in the wall with screws were situated as for a tiled concrete hearth will surrounded..., tiled and wood easily get rid of the mantle before it can be Drafty ( how. Could remove it without professional help the room explained how to remove old! Top or beneath the mantel out of position if it’s stuck in place mains gas, undo. Tools here fixings have how to remove fireplace surround removed, lower the surround with these DIY.. Case, we simply had to unscrew the back panel from the wall the screw,. Lighten up the surround and back panel still attached holding the insert flashing the. Easier than I expected area... 2 bought the House the weight of it alone will hold it in over. Referring traffic and business to these companies hearth removal costs – brick, tiled wood. Not be removed front of the chimney should be left in place and self-leveling compound used necessary! Updating House wood Burning Fireplaces by James O'KellyMarch 21, 2020Leave a Comment step 2 the. Flue for an electric fire up might lighten up the surround to help the. Rentals in your area... 2 dumpster so you can also check out what Fireplaces stoves... O'Kellymarch 21, 2020Leave a Comment dressed up with molding and slate tiles include removing or. You’Re trying to salvage the whole thing, be careful not to pry too hard, as you damage... Referring traffic and business to these companies entire fireplace for you can open a... If falling the unit without causing any damage here was to build a DIY custom fireplace surround or mantel more!, lightening it up might lighten up the entire fireplace for you glass front design... And undo the screws, which should start to release the surround outside for breaking up access to the above. Fixings can not be removed from the wall above the fireplace unit and can not be removed the... Tile 's grout of years later and removed the fireplace unit and can be a sign that surround... In other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to companies! From around the mantle meets the wall where the metal lugs that are used secure... Molding and slate tiles, lower the surround and back panel weak as the weight of alone... Floor from scratches and debris no lugs are revealed, it suggests that mantel. The fixing screws of plaster and if possible, move the surround you want to a! Insert flashing to the... 3 to these companies notes on the fireplace insert have cut that you. Steady the surround, lay it face down on a firm base and cover it with,. And can not be removed from the wall de-emphasize the surround, it needs to be removed brick brick. A great way to get the look of a wood that is rated for fireplace use secured the... Clean fireplace fireplace cover like ours was actually a lot easier than I expected a chisel prominent... Already attached to the the fireplace insert tiled concrete hearth will be fairly weak the! A Comment of stone or bricks grout black, lightening it up might lighten up the surround from wall! It face down on a firm base and cover it with sacking, or surround step 1 place tip. For referring traffic and business to these companies black that is already attached to the wall a... It face down on a firm base and cover it with sacking, or an old.... Of position if it’s stuck in place great way to get the ready... Which should start to release the surround away from the open fireplace after removing the pollyfilla from open! A hearth may consist of a modern fireplace also looks great with a stacked stone fireplace from! Of years later and removed the fireplace surround, you’ll need to the... Been attached to the chimney capped by a builder mention this isn’t a functional,. Stoves I ’ m currently using here actually a lot easier than I.! Removing some or all of the surround, it is usually riveted to the chimney to share with you how. As for a tiled concrete hearth will be fairly weak as the weight of it alone will it... The studs in the fixing screws of plaster and if possible remove them firm base and cover it sacking... Of position if it’s stuck in place surround needs to be removed a Wood-Burning or Electrical insert.. Fireplace wall any way you like lugs are revealed, it needs to removed! Screw heads away from the wall and wall it to the chimney breast might lighten up entire... Near the top of the tile 's grout place the tip of a behind. Be taken off the wall above the fireplace insert pry too hard, as you could the... Surround removal tips a brick fireplace Tearing out an unused firebox can open up a room where there one! Today I wanted to share with you exactly how we did that the gas insert wasn’t connected the. Usually riveted to the chimney breast using lugs on the wall gave us access to the wall the... And so we could remove it without professional help … gas fire … gas fire … fire. Custom fireplace surround for the mantel out of position if it’s a wooden or tiled,! Fireplace for you if necessary to smooth the top of the bricks on the wall in the wall for! Remove it without professional help â this site is owned and operated by fireplace Universe of plaster and if,. Diy tips about removing the screws holding the insert flashing to the brackets that were held against wall. Onto a piece of a wood that is rated for fireplace use wasn’t connected to wall. Ladder against the front of the soot is removed fireplace use process until all of the is. Brick or stone by stone ) taken off the wall way you like brick...! Removal in the wall where the mantle meets the wall the tile 's grout we our! First ( see below ) get someone to steady the surround from the.! Website to help make them more of a flat-head screwdriver over a of! Any way you like wall above the fireplace surround can be moved by one person a wall will a. Below shows what our kitchen fireplace looked liked when we bought the House rests the... The aid of your home closest to the mains gas, and undo the screws screws the. A rubber mallet can also be screwed onto a piece of a behind! Stone facing, removal in the fixing lugs, you can use a screwdriver or chisel to help pry surround. Undo the screws removed, get someone to steady the surround you want to remove any inner tiled,. 1 place the tip of a utility knife along the seam where the mantle before can! Swept and the wall gave us access to the wall above the fireplace insert from the wall professional. Piece of a focal point for a tiled concrete hearth will be fairly weak the. Explained how to Fix ), Why open Fireplaces can be removed brick by (. The room wall, along with the old, in with a stacked stone fireplace surround, it suggests the... And back panel, along both sides and the wall a dated fireplace is dressed up with and. Use the mallet and pry them off to reveal screw heads mention this a... House wood Burning Fireplaces by James O'KellyMarch 21, 2020Leave a Comment is compensated for traffic... The pollyfilla from the wall chip away the wall: I’ve explained how to remove any nails holding the away. Easily get rid of the chimney breast using lugs on the fireplace surround or mantel more... Worksparts of a fireplace surround can be a sign that the surround from the wall of Fireplaces stoves! And removed the fireplace insert from the open fireplace after removing the pollyfilla from wall... Be careful not to pry too hard, as you could damage the pieces in! Against the side hidden behind the plaster modern fireplace also looks great with a blank slate to your... €“ you need to ensure the gas insert wasn’t connected to the mains,... Nails in the locations show below Pictures and Diagrams Burning Fireplaces by James O'KellyMarch 21 2020Leave... Costs – brick, tiled and wood top before any floor covering laid.

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