Anyone out here have any ideas on how to repair this brickwork?
This is a second floor fireplace in a 140 (?) year old schoolhouse. As you can see in pics 1 & 3 the vertical bricks are falling out and there is no lintel. The box frame you see holding everything up is std. 2 x 6 so it’s not original. In pic 4 is the first floor FP that he framed out and put a coal stove in.
The schoolhouse is now a house that the guy is selling and he wants me to fix up this mess so that it’s presentable not usable.
My background in brickwork is very limited so I’m hoping one of you guys can help me out here. Also I don’t know if its relevant but these bricks are deeper than the std. issue bricks we have now a days. Also they’re very porous, if it makes any difference.
Dan 019
Replies
Those bricks ARE the lintel. Since this is not to be a functional fireplace, so you don't have to worry about the flue, you can remove them, and anything that's lose above them, and simply replace them. Note that you'll need to duplicate the angle and keystone so they'll be supporting. Erect a temporary support to hold them up while you are placing them. You might consider putting in a steel lintel since the bricks will be out anyway and it'll only add a few bucks to the job.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Geez, you're right they are the lintel, that never occurred to me. My minds eye just got caught up in the falling bricks. Good call.I like the steel plate lintel idea; I think I’ll go with that. But I guess if mortared in at that angle they can’t really go anyplace can they? Maybe I’ll let the homeowner make that call.Thanks again Dan