If it is Exterior Chimney Removal you are looking to do now or soon, then you have come to the right place
It’s definitely time to look into outside chimney removal the simple method if your outside chimney is in need of repair or if you simply don’t like the way it looks.
The brick sculpture that runs the full way up the side of the house may not be necessary if you wish to reclaim interior floor space and stop utilizing the fireplace inside the house.
In either case, it’s time to pull it apart, fill in the gaps left by its removal, and destroy it so you may reclaim your house as your own with a modern exterior and greater interior wall and floor space.
In this short guide we will be looking at how to do Exterior Chimney Removal the easy way without breaking the bank.
Let’s Start Removing!!!
Is the chimney attached to the outer wall?
Different architectural styles are used to create chimneys. When you remove an outside chimney, you need to be aware of the possibility that it was either erected beside your house and just partially attached, or that it was actually built into the framework of your house.
When an outside chimney needs to be removed, the full brick chimney may be constructed separately from the house and bracketed to the outer wall beside it, leaving a hole in the one-story wall that leads into the living area.
The chimney breast, which is where you experience the warmth of fires, is the interior portion of the chimney.
If it has been built somewhat intermingled with the home’s construction, it may be visible along the exterior wall but more challenging to remove.
Here’s an easy and practical method for removing an exterior brick chimney.
Is the outside chimney a separate structure or is it a part of the house’s framework?
You might be able to tell how intricately the chimney has been constructed with the structure of your home by pounding on the interior wall above the fireplace but below the ceiling, assuming that your home is a frame construction rather than masonry.
Do you hear a hollow sound when you knock? Or is it sounding more substantial? In the event that you are unsure, you should choose a skilled contractor who can identify the difference.
The specialist might still need to make a few holes in your wall, though, in order to be certain. Knowing has a distinct sound and feel that frequently calls for expertise.
Take away the exterior chimney from the hollow wall.
If you pound on a wall and hear a hollow sound, it’s likely that the chimney was built totally outside of the house’s frame and that the fireplace part only has an opening through a wall.
This is encouraging news for those who want to remove the chimney. Your house won’t sustain any structural harm if you remove the external chimney.
However, after time and exposure to the sun, the siding on the house may begin to fade. Additionally, outside walls may have stains that need to be removed and fixed, or new siding or brickwork may need to be added in order to blend in with the existing façade.
If the wall is hollow, it is likely possible to remove the chimney, insulate the aperture, and then remove the rest of the exterior chimney without any problems.
The majority of the time, no specific permissions are needed for interior home improvements. The Party Wall Act of 1996 must be understood and followed if any work is done to the outside or if you share a wall with another person.
In essence, this will just demand that you notify the neighbor of your planned renovation work and, occasionally, that you get their consent to proceed.
Remove the outside chimney that is part of the house’s structure.
If the chimney was incorporated into the home’s framework, it will be necessary to complete a more difficult, time-consuming, and expensive job. Knocking again like you did previously will reveal this.
The home was most likely framed up to the masonry chimney running not only on the outside of the house but also potentially even partially supporting walls, floors, and ceilings if there is solid masonry when you or the expert taps on the wall or ceiling.
If this is the case, removing the chimney will require much more effort because, in the absence of the framed wall, it’s possible that it’s supporting the roof, the second floor joists, or the roof rafters, all of which are structural components of the building.
When it is taken out, there will, at the absolute least, be a sizable hole that needs to be framed and filled in.
Be willing to get dirty and take precautions to keep your helpers safe.
A chimney removal is a messy process. Basically, be prepared to become soot covered. There is a lot of soot inside that chimney, and as you start to knock it down, you will be dispersing it all over everything in its path as well as into the air.
Wear long sleeves, eye protection, gloves, safety boots with steel toes, and a mask to protect yourself as much as you can from breathing it in.
Additionally, be careful to adequately cover any furniture still in the home to shield it from the grit. Be cautious of the people and items below the work area in addition to taking these safety measures.
Don’t, for instance, allow a stray brick to smash through your glass. Also, take extra care to prevent any bricks or other debris from hurting anyone below.
Also, if you are working on the second floor or higher, avoid working in damp conditions that might make surfaces slick. You might fall all the way from the top of the roof, from the scaffolding, or from the ladder.
When such weather circumstances exist, proceed with prudence and common sense.
The risk of the ladder or scaffolding giving way and sending you down, as well as the risk of those beneath the ladder or scaffolding being struck by a brick or other piece of debris, are two of the main risks of working on an outside chimney, in addition to wet or damp weather.
A chimney on the outside should be taken down brick by brick, one at a time. While it may initially seem tedious, if you get into a good routine, the time usually flies by. Just some time, some perseverance, and the right equipment will do to simplify the task.
Tossing the bricks from the roof will require a particular area that has been blocked off, and you must take great care to avoid endangering anyone working below you.
After that, make sure you gather the bricks and waste and put them in a dumpster so they can be taken away or properly disposed of.
Due to the weight of the rubble and bricks that must be removed, this stage is frequently expensive. Cleaning up after the external chimney removal is just as vital as the actual process itself.
Get ready to exercise
Chimney removal is heavy physical labor. It’s not always a job for the frail, and definitely not for young kids. Complete chimney removal requires significant physical labor.
People who work in the construction industry have developed the strength to withstand the pressure over time. Be prepared to have aching muscles for a few days after finishing this chimney project if you’re doing it yourself.
Ladder Security
As you rest on the ladder for stability as you descend from the roof line, be sure to abide by the ladder safety regulations. Work on the roof while wearing a safety harness, tying the ladder to a solid support structure for further security.
Never lean the weight of the support ladders you will be using to lift yourself up one or two stories directly on the gutters, chimney stack, or the external chimney that is falling. If you do, you probably won’t escape falling down with it.
Complete the task
After removing the exterior chimney
You will be left with a hole in the roof and a hole where the fireplace opening once was once the exterior chimney has been taken out.
If the chimney was integrated into the house’s architectural design, you will also need to reinforce and replace any areas that the chimney originally occupied.
Advantages of removing exterior chimneys
What benefits will chimney removal provide for your house?
Your property might receive a significant facelift by having an older chimney that is no longer in use, rarely utilized, or decaying removed.
You will be astonished by the enormous variety of design options and endless potential your home will now reveal, not to mention the extra floor and wall space, once the chimney has been removed. But it has to be done correctly.
You will need to patch up and repaint first, but the additional interior space and brand-new exterior appearance will be well worth the effort and cost.
Know when to consult a specialist
Whether you choose to take on the project yourself or hire a contractor will rely on a number of variables, including your level of expertise, your level of tenacity and grit, and how soon you need it finished. You won’t want to skimp on safety, another important factor.
Discover the most useful steps when you want to know how to remove an outside brick chimney easily.
