Still taking out chimneys

Firstly, the grate that I found behind a storage heater...

Okay, it has a nest in it, but it will look good once it is cleaned up. This chimney has already been capped, so it can't be used. Just needs blocking at the bottom and a suitable surround.

 

Here was where I started with the fireplace in the front room. Half was out, half was left.

After lots and lots of rubble, plaster, nest and bricks, I ended up with this...

There are still stones, bricks and rubble stuck in the flues, but this will have to be tackled from above as it is too dangerous to do it from below. I can't take any further walls down until the chimney is removed from the room above, so that was the next task.

Before I started, a picture of the lino square in this room. Again, it is not possible to lift it as it is too brittle.

This chimney was made of breeze-block and was covering the original flue behind. The blocks were very solid and it was hard to break through. This was before I started...

After I had been able to remove some of the blocks, it was clear the chimney behind had collapsed. You can see where the stack has separated from the wall.

Further excavation revealed the two flues - the large one on the left and a collapsed one on the right...

On the next picture, you can see how the original plaster was moulded around the chimney. There is a patch at the top left and also an area in the centre.

However, this will all have to come out as it is too unstable. I will remove the remaining block and then take out the stone. The chimney is actually supported on bricks so there is no problem with the stack itself. If we are to remove the chimney, we will have to come up with a way of supporting the stack in the roof. There are no obvious means of doing this as it is separate from the walls.

Inside the chimney were these hooks - one on the side, one on the rear. I don't know what they were for...

I also found 3 dusty butterflies which were still alive. I have no idea what they were doing in there, but they seemed quite happy!!

Finally, a bit of a clear up required. This all has to be carried down stairs, making the job much slower. Lots of trips to the recycling centre also. Fun, fun, fun!!

Although you can't really see it, the rubble is 1 to 2 feet deep in this picture. This room will be completed by the end of the weekend, and I can start on getting the plaster off the walls and roofs. You can just see the original lathe and plaster next the ladders in the picture above. That entire wall has to come out. Another day!