Is it safe to continue chipping away at the concrete to remove the frame that was revealed after removing the gas heater from the chimney cavity?
Asked by Natalie Moore 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 20, 2024
Hey everyone, just popping in to say I’m new around here. So, I recently got rid of a gas heater and now I want to turn that area back into a regular wall. The heater used to be in the chimney cavity. I’ve already started chipping away at the concrete and I’ve come across this frame-like structure. Do you think it’s safe for me to keep going? I’m guessing it was just there to support the concrete, not the chimney itself, right? Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch!
Yikes, I’m not entirely sure. I’m renovating my fireplace, and the specialist mentioned that a similar setup was supporting my chimney. It might be wise to seek a professional opinion to ensure there are no structural concerns.
Oh no! Okay! I had no clue that was a thing! I thought chimneys stayed up on their own! I’ll consult a builder right away before moving forward. Thanks.
No worries. I had the same thought. Yours might vary, but just to double-check.
Remove the plaster above the breeze blocks and check for a lintel supporting the chimney’s weight. If there’s no lintel, the visible bricks are holding up the wall. We attempted to open up the fireplace, but the existing brickwork was in poor condition. We decided to install a lower lintel and re-plaster.
Omg , I had no idea about lintels!! I should have checked in here earlier! Getting professional help right away! Thanks for pointing that out!
Just remove the plaster. There might already be one in place from a previous installation. If not, then seek assistance, but it’s worth checking first.
Thanks for the helpful advice from the wonderful ladies. A builder came by and confirmed everything looks good for me to proceed! I just need to continue chipping away at the concrete around it, and he can cover it with gib to restore the wall. Whew.