Removing brick hearth

18 years ago

Sorry no pictures. I was hoping someone here could answer a question for me regarding what is under a built up hearth? I have a massive floor to ceiling red brick fireplace. It appears more massive simply because it is in a small room. I have tossed around the idea of removing the built up brick hearth, carefully extracting the bricks in case they will be needed, and pouring cement for a floor level hearth. I am fairly positive the hearth is not solid brick (house built in 1981-82) but what kind of frame would they possibly have used? And what would the floor be under the brick hearth? I love the brick fireplace, but the hearth is 12" high and whatever the width of the fireplace is. It takes up valuable space in a small room. If there is a way that this hearth can be taken out I would appreciate any and all advice. TIA

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Comments (5)

ventupete
18 years ago
It's probably constructed of 2x4's with a plywood top and the brick is layed on that (there might be a cement board also). Under it is probably just a sub-floor, in other words whether you have carpet or wood in the room they wouldn't have finished the floor under the hearth. You wouldn't need to pour cement. You can just rebuild the hearth at floor level using cement board (hardiboard or wonderboard) and brick or some other non-combustible material (ceramic tile, stone, etc). All this being said until you demolish it there is no sure way to know what's underneath!
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MongoCT
18 years ago
I posted a couple of pics on your other thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: same thread
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akamainegrower....you hit the nail right on the head....:) This is why I have been struggling so much with the situation. I have worried that reducing the size of the hearth might make the wall look too overbearing - out of proportion. When we removed the wood stove and the big black stove pipe that went up the middle of the design, I loved this even more. I designed it and drew it up right down to the exact amount of bricks needed, then had a local guy brick it up for me. I wanted a slight rise/arch, not a McDonald's type arch and when he first did the small left column, it was just too much. He kept telling me that it would blend together once finished. When he left that day, I just kept looking at it and knew I would look at it the rest of my life....so I removed it. When he came back the following day, he wasn't surprised and admitted that after leaving he told his other workers I would probably do that. Glad I didn't disappoint him...LOL I know I just need to weigh out the benefit vs the desire to have the additional room....:( I also know that once started...there is no going back. The home was built in 1979 and we removed the wall (engineered metal support beam) between the living room and dining/kitchen room which really opened it up. It allows you to view this accent wall from the living room (now great room) which you couldn't before. We removed a window and door, and installed Marvin French doors that open to a deck which lets a lot of light in. The extra 2 feet I would gain would allow me to center the table with the ceiling light fixture and the French doors. I am perplexed that if I do it and hate/ruin it I will regret it and if I don't do it I will always wonder what it could have been. I do appreciate your input. It helps to have someone on the outside looking in. I especially appreciate you pointing out the same concerns I have had.
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I actually designed the wall and hearth and had a local brick mason do the brick work a few years after we moved into our new home. It wasn't part of the original room. I know we used cinder block under the brick to build it up so I already know what supports it. However since it was about 30 years ago, I can't remember how else we finished the support system. When we relocated the wood stove to the family room, I was very happy to see the big black stove pipe that went from the top of the wood stove through the ceiling removed. I thought it detracted from the overall appearance. I prefer to keep the height of the hearth the same since the grandkids like to sit on it. Another issue is since the hearth is raised, I don't know how we could join a lower hearth or floor to the back wall since the wall brick starts off the hearth, not the floor. But I totally see and appreciate the idea that it would create more room, since a chair from the dinning table could be placed on the tile (or wood) flooring. Thanks for the suggestions and comments....I appreciate your time and expertise....:)
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Once the first one is broken up and the remains pulled out, the next brick adjacent can be broken loose sideways and usually removed relatively intact, or at least in a few pieces. The more room to pry, the easier they come out. It's just that the very first brick or two hasn't got any wiggle room to pry in any direction at all. Yes, you should be able to rent one at any tool rental place. Wear ear protection, they're noisy. Casey
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bkcwzy
16 years ago
i'm having the same problem. i've posted under a couple threads to try to get some suggestions.
I have a floor to ceiling brick fireplace that is painted white. The hearth is 9" high. I need to tear down the hearth. It doesn't work with a toddler trying to "help" a crawling 8 month old. Tried babyproofing it, but no adhesive lasts that is eventually removable. Any suggestions what to do with this thing. I don't want to rip out the hearth and end up just put tile on the floor and it looking like crap, but I've got to do something soon.
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long_todo_list
16 years ago
Ahh kids; they have a way of finding the hardest/sharpest surface to collide with... Mine's 2 now, but we just kept her away from our fireplace since we never use the room. My parents watch her a lot and their hearth was right in the middle of the play area. They had problems with the adhesive strips that come with those foam rubber guards too, so my dad used liquid nails to glue the stuff down. When they went to remove it, they used some solvent to clean the gunk off the brick. Since yours is painted, you could probably take a belt sander to the bricks when it comes time to remove it and just repaint them. If you don't REALLY want to take out the hearth, don't. My whole body is aching now from taking down a fireplace similar to yours.
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ziggysbamboo
16 years ago
How about removing the hearth to floor level and installing pre finished wood floring with matching end cap molding. You could pick something close to the color of the crown molding so it ties together.
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Removing brick hearth

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ventupete

MongoCT

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