One bedroom wall is horsehair plaster over a chimney wall with a stovepipe cap sticking out of it. I want to paint the room and because of the sorry state of the plaster think I better put up sheet rock in this one area. Where can I learn what’s involved in removing this pipe and filling in whatevber needs to be filled before I do the rock? I’m told I can just install the sheetrock over the plaster instead of demolition of the wall.
Many thanks. arnstein
Replies
If the pipe goes into an unused masonry chimney, consider capping the chimney tight at the top.
Often a veneer layer of drywall is the easier route. On walls, the problem is usually what to do with the baseboards and trim.
There must be 2 flues in the chimney?? Because it's the same chimney for the downstairs woodstove, so capping at the top isn't an option.
If there are 2 flues, and you are only using one, you can cap the unused one. I say this because you may otherwise be leaving a huge airleak in your wall.
There may or may not be two flues in the chimney. Regardless, if you never envision using that thimble again you should seal it up at the chimney. Even if you do, if you're dealing with horsehair plaster, there's a good chance the connection to the chimney ain't the best, and should probably be redone. Don't cover it up without taking a good look at the whole thing first.