Brick Hearth

[Denise]

I want to completely remove a ceiling to floor brick wood stove hearth. How do I safely plug the stove pipe hole and is there anything I need to know about how it might be attached to the outside chimney? I would greatly appreciate any help/thoughts!

Thanks,

Denise

[HayZee518]

the firebox is made up of refractory brick and cement. in the center rear of the hearth is an ashpit that goes to the floor below. above the hearth is a cast iron damper that connects to a tile fluepipe that goes up the chimney. the brick facade is fastened to the chimney and wooden framework with metal ties. these are corrugated pieces of metal that go between the mortar joints of the chimney and can be nailed into the wooden framework. grab a sledgehammer and wail away! to plug the flue, first chisel away the lower part of the flue liner on one side. leave the other three sides intact. make a wooden shelf on the bottom. this will be removed later on. stuff fiberglass up into the flue, pieces of metal expanded metal. then use a hydraulic cement in between the metal pieces and up into the flue. hydraulic cement expands as it cures and its this expansion which will hold the plug in place in the flue liner.

[Denise]

Thank you for such a quick reply! And for the information! One more question....is there an easier way than a sledgehammer? I am all of 115 lbs and swinging a sledgehammer won't be easy!

Denise