Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Getting rid of capped off fireplace surround

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.



PDA
barefoot
06-27-06, 03:47 PM
My husband and I are buying a 1935 home with 4 fireplaces...only one of which is of any use. We desperately need the wall space and want to remove the brick and sheet rock over the mess. Is this possible?
Here are 2 links for two photos for examples of what I'm talking about.
Thanks.
http://www.barefootmemories.net/images/DSC01769.JPG

http://www.barefootmemories.net/images/DSC01771.JPG

BuiLDPro68
06-27-06, 04:33 PM
Is there some reason that these fireplaces can't be used? Seems to me you would be decreasing value to your home for not much gained. However I don't see why you couldn't remove the brick and patch over it. That would also entail removing the brick on the floor and patching it. Seems like a lot of work to remove what most people would consider a desireable feature.
barefoot
06-27-06, 05:16 PM
We're not sure why they've been capped off except that in North Carolina with central heat and A/C they aren't really needed. The house was built in 1935 without indoor plumbing. The home was just 4 big rooms and a hallway. We need the wall space to place furniture in more logical places than we have use for just a decorative element...a capped off fireplace.
Thanks for the help!