80s Fireplace Advice

[Domagnificent]

Hi all, after some advice regarding a fireplace. The house was built late 80s and it has a massive original stone fireplace (see pic). It has a stone ‘corner unit, attached to it (presumably to house a TV). My question is, how easy would this be to rip out the part to the right of the chimney breast (TV unit section). I have a jackhammer and happy to take the job on as long as its safe to do…

The fireplace itself is very wide although the chimney on the roof is small. Does anyone know how big of a job it would be to have the chimney narrowed down a bit? Obviously i would get this bit done by a professional. Any advice appreciated!

[dewaltdisney]

A Yorkstone fireplace was more a late 60s thing, I always thought they were horrid as my childhood friend had one. I recall when his dad built it and recall at a young age that it had no structural integrity, it was just an internal design feature. I would think you could work your way along from the right and chip away those blocks fairly easily with an SDS breaker, just have a thought of the blocks disposal beforehand as it is a few cubic yards of waste. I suspect the chimney breast is a hollow structure designed to take the woodburner and the flue is probably routed up an original more modest chimney. These were common in 60's houses for gas fires. You have your work cut out to get that room up to modern standards, that ceiling will be a job to rip out but I am sure you have your ideas for the room. Keep us posted, that looks like an interesting project.

DWD

[Graeme from Tod]

Are you sure that's an 80's build? The pine ceiling & the fireplace look classic very late 60's / early 70's to me. ( As noted by DWD ).

Sorry no useful advice to give - just curious.

Good luck.

[etaf]

i put something like that into a house in the late 70's early 80's as a feature

it was just an internal feature - which went in front of a real chimney, across the breast and then into the alcoves , and had an enclosed area for HIFI and otherside a feature shelf inside with lights underneath

I used very long large screws (maybe size 10 or 12) on every other course to key into the existing wall and just built in the room

whats upstairs , above , does it go through to next floor/roof - OR stop at the ceiling

[big-all]

its quite possible a bit off leverage will be more than enough
i would not use a jackhammer iff you mean kango size a good sds should be more than enough

[stevei]

Taking the bit out to the right of the chimney would be easy enough. I would think that the walls would have been plastered before the 'feature' was built so be careful you don't cause too much damage by using a power tool. I would just use a hammer and chisel. Start by removing the wood top. Then with the chisel remove as much from the corner by the tv. Once you get an open end the rest of that course will come away easily. You may find that the low wall is tied into the chimney. I wouldn't be surprised if you find skirting board on the wall behind when you get down that far. The less force you use the less damage to put right.