Thursday, March 3, 2016

Restoring a Closed Fireplace



For those who've always wondered what's behind a closed fireplace, here is a peek into one possibility. 

For us, it was the exhaust for our old boiler and some other earlier conduit (large pipe in center through hearth) whose function we are not sure of. As you can see, it created a lot of damage to the hearth and firebox. 

Basically, the parts hearth and firebox had been removed to make room for the stainless steel vent and the other pipe. 

Once the vent pipes were removed, there was a hole through the hearth that extended through the sub hearth down into the chimney base in the basement. Our mason Edward had to build this back up so that he could repair the hearth floor. 

He used a collection of field stones...

That he mortared into that space to establish the sub hearth. 

Edward was able to locate a source of 200 year-old local bricks to complete the repairs. 



As Mike said, it looks like it's been there forever. 



29 comments :

  1. i'm just so impressed with the way you guys do things. you are restoring such a wonderful piece of history for many many generations to come. really it's such a wonderful thing you are doing. and i cannot wait to see how you will finish/decorate it. it's going to be beautiful. x

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  2. Edward is AMAZING! That looks gorgeous! Mike is spot on, it looks like it has been there forever. I still can't get over all of the work involved and all of the work you have put into this house but it's going to be beautiful. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

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  3. Wonderful . . . beautiful work.
    Mike's words say it best, "it looks like it's been there for ever."

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  4. So interesting watching everything emerge from depths of neglect. Truly an outstanding job you are doing.

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  5. Your mason is an artist.
    So many renovations (or updates, like let's put in a vent or wiring or plumbing) are done the easy way instead of the best way, and create more stuff that needs to be undone.
    Are you able to use the fireplace now?

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    1. Yes, we will use the fireplace in some capacity. We are leaning towards open gas logs for their clean burning qualities, as well as the ease in which we could sit in front of the fire. Also, to burn wood, the chimneys would need to be lined according to code, another expense that we just cannot take on! Best, Catherine

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  6. Oh, I love that. For some reason, I have always liked old brick.

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  7. What a perfect renovation, you would have absolutely no idea that it had ever been closed up. The way you are restoring this house is an inspiration to us all, taking time and effort to do every single item so well. Have so thoroughly enjoyed and will continue to enjoy reading these posts, thank you.

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  8. Not ever having had a working fireplace let alone an antique fireplace I'm curious...do you not need some sort of firebrick on the hearth and in the box to use it? We have a fireplace in our home with a beautiful green tile on the hearth and box floor. We can't use it as the boiler has been run through the chimney blocking it, but I believe it was a gas fireplace around the turn of the century. Always wondered what it would take to make it usable again.

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    1. No, just a liner that goes through the chimney - for a wood burning fire. But liners can be very expensive!

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  9. I can't believe how people do things so substandard like they did to that beautiful fireplace. the old bricks are gorgeous! linda r (phila burbs)

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  10. The "after" is amazing when you look at the "before". I love that you brought it back to life!

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  11. I truly hope the next owners of your beautiful home appreciate all the pains you have taken to restore that house very close to original, and yet with modern convenience and safety. It is going to be gorgeous!!!

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  12. Wow. That's a beautiful repair. Nice to know there are still craftsmen who can do that kind of work. But the fireplace looks so small - how was it ever enough to heat the room?

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  13. I agree...forever!
    The life you gave back to a closed up fireplace must have been an emotional moment for you, I know I would have stood there and just cried at its finished state of beauty and soul.

    Xx
    Dore

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  14. How fortunate you are to have access to such talented and knowledgeable craftsman. Your house is going to be spectacular.

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  15. ...how incredibly wonderful...fireplace...and artist...blessings laney

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  16. Thank goodness the world has people like Ed and people like you who hire people like Ed!!

    My maternal side of the family came from Ireland and started a brick company in Connecticut. If you ever come across Donnelly bricks (marking also DON.B.Co,) that's us!!

    Although I'm new to signing up to your blog, I've been following for years and ILOVE everything you do and I mean EVERYTHING!!

    Mary in Fairfield, Ct.

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    1. How wonderful! I'll share this with Edward, I'm sure he's very familiar with the DON.B.Co marking!

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  17. I simply have to know...is Edward single?????

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    1. Dear Edward is married! He's a wonderful mason and a wonderful man!

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  18. It looks lovely! We have just bought a farmhouse and are going to be starting renovations soon. I'm wondering if you would share how you have found such talented craftsmen to do your work for you?

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    1. We contacted our local Historic Preservation Commission. They had a list of historic house craftsmen. Every state has one so I would suggest calling the one in your state first.
      Best of luck! Catherine

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  19. what a worthy project...old old ashes...if they could talk!

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  20. I love this comment so much: "Thank goodness the world has people like Ed and people like you who hire people like Ed!!"

    -Flo
    Amelia Island FL

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  21. Wow, what an amazing job. The 'new' old bricks match perfectly.

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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