Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Fireplace Hearth Removal

I have a 5 year old home with a wood fireplace (no gas) that has a brick hearth that is raise above the floor approx 12 in. and goes to the ceiling. I want to remove completely so I can gain more space. The 12 inch heigh hearth makes the room small and it's aslo dangerous around kids. My question is what am I going to find once I start removing. I have a basement, so I'm assuming the hearth was framed with a wood box than bricked over. If that is the case, it should be no problem. Any suggestions?

On of the reasons for a hearth extending out is for safety purposes. Check you local code to see what the combinations of hearth projection and height are required.

If you tear it out, you could be faced with a real problem if you try to sell a home with a unsafe firplace installation. Almost any pre-purchase home inspector will catch something as easy to see as that.

Dick

sorry, maybe i wasn't clear. i am not removing the safety features of having a hearth. i am wanting to change the type of hearth it is. currently my fireplace sits up approx 12" from the floor making the surrounding hearth big and bulky. i want to remove the bulky brick hearth and replace it with a level surface (tile) on the floor while keeping the safety featrures and to code. then i will replace the brick on the wall to match what is on the floor. i don't want to remove the hearth from the fireplace, i just want to get rid of the 12" x 4' bulky hearth and replace it with tile.

thanks