Removal of old fire insert Re-generate an old or tired space and give it a fresh breath of life. Click here for answers, information and tips

[boddies69]

Hi - I'm planning on removing an old fireplace insert from a fireplace in my cottage. Its the original but unfortunately the basket is broken so its beyond repair. My neighbour has had hers removed down to the bare brick and it looks nice. The insert is held in place by the original fire surround which is stone. Does anyone have any tips on getting the old insert out? I'm planning on removing the expansion material with a chisel, then using a jemmy to try and lever the insert away from the brickwork behind. Then I think its a relatively straightforward job to remove the rubble from behind it with a view to installing a basket in the newly-created space. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[mdpmspitfire]

may i suggest that you break out the fire back with a clubb hammer rather than trying to lever it out. small pieces rather than one lump will minimise surrounding damage. wear gloves and a mask as they are usually bedded in with lime mortar. also fire backs are designed to withstand high temp so when replacing with a basket dont go too big as the heat may crack brickwork
mark

[TheDoctor5]

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