Anyone torn down an old brick fireplace by hand? This is an externally built traditional fireplace maybe 15′ tall over all. I’m wondering if it might be cost effective to bring in a small backhoe -access is limited. Thanks.
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Somebody's got to do it.............
work from the top down.
Chimley
10 -4. I guess I just need to get my roto hammer and dig in! Thanks.
Tearing down brick F.P. and chimney
So far so good but around Denver and suburbs before a permit to demo the thing will be issued the State requires that a particular type of engineer come out, take random samples of material (like some of the joint material). They run tests on the material for any objectionable material (like asbestos--it was used everywhere). Once the engineering outfit has determined it is OK then the State will issue an OK. That document goes to the suburb where the chimney is located. They then issue a permit to demolish. So you need to build in the cost of the engineer, the state fee, the local permit fee and all of the time it will take you to coordinate communications and travel to various offices. Don't forget overhead and profit.
I assume you have built in however the HO wants the inside to appear (no more hearth, mantle, may need fire blocking and some framing for drywall, finish, texture painting and base trim. Outside you need to fill in the space where the bricks used to be so it could be some masonry, clean and set the old matching bricks or do something with siding. Deconstruction is the easy part. Tyr
How's it goin' so far, B.A.?
I have a similar project, but a little bigger. 2 story house plus basement, and the chimney is in the middle of the house. Luckily, where it penetrates the roof, it's a flat roof, so it will be easy to stand and work on.
Any pointers from your experience yet? I'm guessing the top will be not too bad, just chuck the bricks off the roof into the yard. 2nd story, chuck'em out the window, same on 1st floor. Basement, well, I'll just have to find someone younger and dumber to cart them up the stairs.
I put an ad on Craigslist, and had a couple of replies to take the bricks off my hands. No offers to help in exchange for the bricks, though! :)