Replies

1. FHB Editor
   JFink | Oct 15, 2007 05:38pm | #1

   First tip: don't start at the bottom.

   Seriously, I've only removed one center chimney myself, but we took it down brick by brick from the top. We just knocked the bricks down through the chimney and collected them in teh basement.

   I think I saw on tv that this isn't a good idea...but I can't remember why. Perhaps somebody with more experience in this area will come by to fill me in.

   Justin Fink - FHB Editorial

   "Everybody wants to know what I’m on...

    

   What I'm on? I’m on my bike, busting my ### 6 hours a day…

    

   ...What are you on?"

    

   - Lance Armstrong

1. 
   jahmo | Oct 17, 2007 03:10am | #4

   JFink,
   Thanks for the quick reply and the input. The house is coming great and the chimney has come half way down in about 5 hours. Tomorrow should do it.
   Jason

2. 
   john_carroll | Oct 15, 2007 06:12pm | #2

   I've taken down several chimneys. I start at the top. Using a 2-lb. hammer and a chisel, I pop the bricks off one at a time. I toss them on the ground and clean up later. It goes surprisingly fast on older chimneys, especially on chimneys built prior to World War II.

   Last year, I tore down about 10 ft. of a chimney (built in the 1920s) above a roof in 6 hrs. I had an additional 6 hrs. in building and removing a scaffold and 4 hrs in the clean-up, including hauling off the debris.

   I did a major kitchen remodel in 1994 where a defunct chimney (built in the 1920s) caused major problems with the plan. I used all my powers of persausion to convince the owner of the need to get rid of the chimney. I tore that chimney down to the ceiling in 6 hrs. It took 8 more hrs. to bring it down to the footing (in a crawlspace). The bricks cleaned up easily and I ran an add for the in the paper. I sold them for $140 with the stipulation that the buyer haul them away. I did help load them in his truck. Tearing down that chimney, which cost about $500 was key to the success of the remodel, which cost over $25,000.

   In both cases, I was working alone. The hours stated are not general recollections. I keep a daily log and I referred to my log entries for the data I've provided.

    

1. 
   jahmo | Oct 17, 2007 03:13am | #5

   Hey Mudslinger, thanks my friend your reply gave me the input and confidence I needed. Half down in about 5 hours , a lot easier than I assumed.The house is going to be killer. Take care.
   JASON

3. 
   DanH | Oct 15, 2007 06:26pm | #3

   A lot depends on how tight the mortar is. Often the exposed part of the chimney has been reworked and has hard mortar, at least at the very top, but usually the stuff below is soft.

   The hard part is probably knocking it down to roof level, since that must be done on a slant, without damaging the roof, and dealing with what is likely the most stubborn mortar. You have to be especially careful of dislodging large chunks of the chimney, since the softer mortar below is likely to separate unexpectedly.

   Once it's below roof level the brick can often be simply lifted out of place, with just the occasional use of a hammer and chisel. The ideal way to dispose of the brick is down a chute that runs out a window, but that's often not practical, so 5-gallon buckets are what you use. The loose mortar can be knocked down the flue, but be sure all openings in the flue below have been tightly closed or you can end up with soot and dust everywhere.

   Inside, in finished areas, the chimney is generally plastered, and you'll need to remove the plaster as you go. Usually it'll come off easily in large sheets, once it's been "undermined" by removing a few of the bricks behind it.

   Be aware that in a few of the oldest homes the structural members bear on the chimney, and it cannot be removed to a point below these members without suitable replacement supports. But this isn't the norm -- usually the chimney is free-standing relative to the framing. If there is a member bearing on the chimney it will be obvious when you get to it, so you'd simply stop the disassembly there until you figure out a fix.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
1. 
   jahmo | Oct 17, 2007 03:16am | #6

   DanH,
   Thanks my friend, you and the rest gave me such quick and reliable info . Chimney is half down in 5 hours tomorrow we should be done. Take it light my friend and again thanks.
   Jason

1. 
   DanH | Oct 17, 2007 03:20am | #7

   OK, take a break and put some hand lotion on your hands.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader