Author Topic: Chimney Removal  (Read 4761 times)

Tami1982

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Chimney Removal
« on: November 11, 2012, 12:47:49 AM »
Hey guys -

New topic!  So, I have a chimney that just exists in the middle of my house attached to nothing.  When the roof was replaced by the previous owner last year they took the chimney down to below the roof.  So, currently, as best as I am able to tell from what I see visually - it is just a brick column about one foot into my attic space, through the house, and is supported by some wood and a pier in my crawlspace.

Here is my understanding: This should be fairly simple demo.  Remove it and then put dry wall up where it used to be so that I magically have space a for a pantry in my kitchen.  I am attaching a picture of the chimney in the attic/the crawlspace and my kitchen for reference.

Anyone have anything I should look out for or be aware of? 

Thanks so much!
« Last Edit: November 11, 2012, 12:50:35 AM by Tami1982 »

paddedhat

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Re: Chimney Removal
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2012, 07:27:25 AM »
This is an easy one. First you need a few ground rules for personal safety and damage control. The big one here is eye protection and some gloves. A pair of plastic safety glasses and leather work gloves are a must. Now the dignified way to professionally demo. anything is to carefully disassemble everything in the exact reverse of how it was built. The tools of choice are a straight claw carpenters hammer, a brick chisel and a small pry bar. The technique is to chip (with the claw end of the hammer) and chisel at the brick joints until each unit is loose, then carefully lower each piece to the ground. The project can be quite dusty, and a shop vac is pretty handly to clean as you go. A dust mask is a good idea as masonary dust isn't healthy in your lungs, and old creosote in the chimney is really nasty. You may find that the chimney is degraded to the point that you can physically pull it apart, but resist the urge to pull big chunks down, it can be rough on your toes and the house in general. Good luck. BTW, the "support" picture in the crawl space is a hoot. Talk about giving a building inspector a seizure, LOL.

TomTX

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Re: Chimney Removal
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2012, 07:54:25 AM »
I agree with paddedhat, and would add in earplugs. Safety gear is a must!

Eye protection
Ear protection
Dust mask (N95 or better)
Long pants/long-sleeve shirt
Heavy gloves
Steel-toed boots

Tami1982

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Re: Chimney Removal
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2012, 07:59:03 PM »
Thanks for the confirmation, guys!  I thought it was a fairly simple thing, but wanted to check in with those more experienced.  I want to put a pantry there, but standard seems to be 18i nches and the chimney is only 16.5 inches.  Might have to have it custom made - I best get to saving!

Tami1982

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Re: Chimney Removal
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2015, 05:30:53 PM »
So it's been a very long time - years even - since I posted this, but we finally removed it!  My dad and brother came and helped me get this out.  We did NOT put up plastic, which was a HUGE mistake.  I ended up with greasy black dust on everything.  I had to wash the entire house down with straight Dawn.  As, of course, I had every fan on and all the windows open, LOL.  Here are some pictures.

At this point, it's been mudded in and dry walled.  My brother will sand it and remud it when he has a chance and then we will texture and paint.  The floor needs to be built up underneath it too as there is a 3/4 inch drop to subfloor there.  All in good time:)

Since it's based on his availability, it will probably be months from now before it's done, but I'm very, very happy to have it gone!

I'm going to try and find a pantry and cabinet to match the existing ones, but in the mean time I simply put the $10 CL ikea unit I had been using as a pantry (in the living room, lol) and slipped it into the slot. 

kendallf

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Re: Chimney Removal
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2015, 05:49:39 PM »
Good deal! 

I too have an old chimney taking up space that I could better use for something else.  I took mine down below the roof level a couple of years ago when I put a roof on, but I've put off the rest of it until I'm ready to do the whole project (mine will involve moving the water heater and some plumbing, removing walls, etc.)

If you want a narrow pantry there, you might consider a cabinet pantry that is free standing and just place it in the corner.  I have one that's probably 18" wide and 7' tall that was in our house when I bought it. 

10dollarsatatime

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Re: Chimney Removal
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2015, 12:51:56 AM »
I'll be doing the same thing by the end of the year.  I pulled the chimney down below roof level myself last spring when I put a new roof on.  The rest of the project waits until I'm ready to do a full remodel on the kitchen.  I thought about leaving it there and putting in a wood burning stove, but my home inspector had a fit.  For good reason, too.  I didn't have to start using tools to remove bricks until I was three feet down. :)