Removal of fireplace range/aga All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[Tingey]

I want to remove the aga and replace it with a woodburner for central heating and hot water. I'd like to strip the fireplace back to the original stone. maybe repair the arch or insert a wooden lintel.

the house is stone built 1840, the stone in the 4 foot thick chimney breast/wall is visible in the picture on the left and above the brick arch. the stone seems very solid.

between the stone and the aga on the left and right is rubble/brick/mortar infill.

3 original arch bricks are visible on the left and 3 visible on the right. the middle brick of the right 3 is slightly wobbly.

the middle of the original brick archway seems to have been replaced with new bricks.

I don't see any lintel (the square on the left is a piece of wood, perhaps a piece of floorboard).

Is it safe to remove the aga, or will some sort of support be required?
I would need to remove the infill either side of the aga, its not very stable.

any advice appreciated, be gentle its my first post.

[stoneyboy]

Tingey,
Suggest you try to reform the arch, Fit an acrow with strongboy driven in above the bodged brickwork and work from there.
end

[welsh brickie]

I done many of these,under the brick arch is flat metal brace for the arch
so you should be ok to remove the rubble and aga.
But like everything else assumtions are the cause of all cockups,so just take your time.

[Tingey]

Thanks stoneyboy and welsh brickie for the responses, I appreciate it.

I done many of these,under the brick arch is flat metal brace for the arch
so you should be ok to remove the rubble and aga.
But like everything else assumtions are the cause of all cockups,so just take your time.

I don't see a brace directly under the arch. there is what maybe a flat steel brace just above the top of the aga directly under the first line of bricks, but this could be part of the aga? it doesn't appear to be very stiff.

thinking maybe I shouldn't touch this. what sort of price is reasonable to pay for a builder to rebuild the arch and remove the aga?
also is it regs/notifiable work?

[welsh brickie]

thats the bar I mentioned,Leave it in place and remove the aga,clear as much rubble without disturbing the steel,Then you need an ajustable prop (Acro) and a strongboy (a steel plate) that fits on top of the acro.
you can carefully remove the mortar joint above the brick arch and insert the plate and screw the acro tight.
Then you can remove the arch safely.The more work you do yourself will
reduce the price of the builders price obviously.
For rebuilding the arch and make good £200 approx