Brick hearth removal

10 years ago

I have a poorly built, built-in corner gas fireplace in my family room. It has a one level brick hearth. I want to remove the fireplace and hearth and get the corner of my room back. The more I read, the more I think I can do some of the demolition myself.

My question right now is about how to remove the bricks once I have the fireplace out. The room is built on a slab and the rest of the floor is ceramic tile. How do I go about getting the bricks out? Would some basic tools, like a chisel and hammer, work?

Are the bricks likely to have been glued to the slab?

Here is a picture. Please overlook the dead bug and dust bunnies. As you can see, I have sealed the opening of the fireplace to stop the air flow into the house. I turned off the gas both inside and outside.

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Comments (5)

aidan_m
10 years ago
The wall appears to be built over the top of the bricks. Pull off the base moulding and you'll be able to see better.

Bricks are set in mortar. You can break them with a hammer and cold chisel. You'll break some tiles too, but I assume you'll want to remove the cut tiles and place in whole tiles to complete the field.

The corner of your room was probably closed in by the wall to create a chase for the chimney flue. You may want to remove that wall entirely, as it appears the brick runs underneath it clear to the corner of the house.
graywings123
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks. Yes, my plan is to remove the wall. That's the easy part.

Hammer and a cold chisel for the bricks. That sounds do-able.
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
10 years ago
graywings:

Don't forget your sledge hammer and safety glasses.
graywings123
Original Author
10 years ago
Yep, safety glasses and ear protectors, for sure. So a sledge hammer is better than a framing hammer for striking the cold chisel?
aidan_m
10 years ago
" So a sledge hammer is better than a framing hammer for striking the cold chisel?

Yes. I recommend a mini sledge hammer