You can remove the rest of the grout in the area where it is loose from the high pressure cleaning and regrout that area only. I doubt that the tile is over hardwood since it doesn't sound like it's breaking up in a lot of areas and it's been down for at least 5 years. I would suggest getting a tile guy to take a look at it and give you his recommendations. Make sure it's someone who is a real pro who has referrences that you can count on. Talk to friends and neighbors, check with a couple of decorators in your area to get names of tile setters that come highly recommended with years in the business.

Rae Anna, I do have the issue of thrips in certain roses, and have battled them for years. The worst affected roses in my garden are Evelyn, The Prince, Augusta Luise (a little), and occasionally a couple of other roses. Here are some things I've found out over the years: by the time you have thrips infection symptoms, it's too late. The tiny insects are inside the buds and blooms. They use rasping mouthparts to suck juices from the rose, and leave the ugly brown areas behind as the result. Spraying on surface acting insecticides, whether organic (like Spinosad) or non-organic, doesn't work. You have to use a systemic that gets inside the rose before the buds are made by the plant. What works for me is Bonide Granular Systemic Insecticide (on Amazon, and Walmart carries it, too). It has the ingredient: imidacloprid. This is a synthetic insecticide, but it works. I apply the suggested amount around only the susceptible roses and scratch and water it in. I do this at least 30 days before buds are formed (early spring). I had just a tiny bit of thrips in maybe three of the seven or so roses I treated. I don't think any so called organic treatment can get rid of thrips. It's a choice I've made, and I certainly have many beneficial insects and pollinators each year that are not affected. Often thrips will come around a second time later in the season. Prepare for this by doing the early spring routine. Good luck. I hope CeresMer reads this--I don't want to write it out again--ha. Diane

Can you pull the cap off and look? My old chimney from both a fireplace and an oil furnace had lots of black ash, When wet, it was black and oily-looking. It came from the ash pitclean out. We had professionals clean it out and seal it up. When buying the housr, on the advice of the inspector, we had someone send a camera up the chimney, which wass aa good idea, as it needed to be lined. .

Like others have mentioned, perhaps leaving it empty should be considered as well. That being said, I suggest a corner ladder. It fills up the space without doing too much. Simple and elegant. For other ideas, I recommend reading this blog as it provides some ideas on what to do with such awkward corners. I hope it inspires you!