Exposing a Fireplace - is it wider?

[Caitlyn]

I am opening up a fireplace in what was the old kitchen of my 1901 terrace and I am a bit stuck on whether or not the original fireplace is wider than the opening I currently have. The brickwork on the front would perhaps indicate this but I don't want the whole lot to come crashing down on top of me, got enough mess as it is
I have some photos that will help hopefully:

the red lines indicate the obviously new bricks and mortar

this is the shoulders as they stand

the arrow indicates a hole behind the shoulders which goes back another 200mm which would be inline with the new mortar on the front of the fireplace.

I would like to open the fireplace up further if it is possible.

Many Thanks
C

 

[Penners]

Caitlyn

You've indicated that there is some newer-looking brickwork around the existing firehole. How far back have you hacked off the plaster? You may find that the "new" brickwork is not properly bonded into the older stuff - just a vertical line of mortar between them on each side. If so, It would seem likely that this line indicates the width of the older firehole.

It's also worth hacking off the plaster to have a look up above the brick arch that you've already exposed. If there was a bigger/higher firehole you may find an old, arch or lintel, wider than the existing.

 

[Mark]

I think that you're correct that the original opening was larger, but that looks as if it has been altered since. On the picture some of the pointing above the arch looks like concrete and the metal support is presumably a more recent addition. Is it possible that the arch in your pics is not original ? As David says - is there anything higher up ? - it isnt clear from your picture how far up the wall you are here ?

I did this recently (my posts/pics are prob in the archived bit) I found that removing the infill in the chimney gave a good indication of the original size. The space had been filled up with newer brick/mortar which came out quite easily partly becasue there was a good layer of soot on the old bricks that the infill didnt stick to very well.

 

[Caitlyn]

Thank you for your replies.

There is nothing further up the wall. The arch is 1400mm from the current hearth, though I am sure that is not original.

I think the major thing I am worried about in openining it up further is the shoulders of the stack falling in and then it not drawing properly when it has a fire in it. Strangely I was going to put my range in it until I heard some of the reasons why not to on this site (very helpful) but I would still like to keep it as a feature.

As an aside, does anyone know a good way of cleaning the firebricks?

Many Thanks
C

 

[thiambal]

Now I am no builder, but I would not assume that the metal support is a later addition. I have a 1905 house and each arch above the fireplace openings has a similar piece of metal which appear original.

My guess is that they are however, not structrual - my guess is that they were used as a guide to form and support the arch during building until the mortar went off and it became self supporting and then jsut left in place.

However, I would not claim to be a builder/structural engineer! I am a history teacher - but they will be no comfort if half your house collapses