My old fireplace has a metal liner, chimney filled with sand?

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/504bbfdb05365-.jpg

Hello, I searched the forums but didn’t find anything similar to my issue.   I have an older home in Bed Stuy, and the non functional fireplace has a metal inlay.  I removed the nails that were holding it on because I was going to try and hide speaker wires behind it, and almost immediately, the metal began to bulge from where it covered the flue part of the fireplace.  When I investigated it further, it appears that the chimney is filled with what almost looks like concrete dust.  It is all uniform in color along with a couple pieces of what look like burned wood.  I really just wanted to get the metal back into place, but I am not sure what to do.  I bought a giant shopvac and started sucking it out, but I am wondering if it is possibly entirely filled?  You can’t even see the chimney on the roof anymore.  It was long since decommissioned. I just don’t know if I should even try to remove the fill considering it might also be holding the other bricks in place too farther up.   RIght now I have milk crates and some books holding the metal, and what I am assuming is the entire old now powdered lining in place

mozambrooklyn

in Brownstoner Renovation 12 years and 9 months ago

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slopegirl | 12 years and 9 months ago

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if you do need a chimney company A&A who advertise here (and who were recommended on this forum) did chimney repair for us and we were very happy with their work.

cate | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Be careful. I would not do this yourself. You could end up with ashes and dust with creosete all through your house on every surface. You have to tent the area very carefully, and even then you will probably still get dust all over everything nearby.

wiley | 12 years and 9 months ago

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sounds like when they decomissioned the firelplace they took down the chimney to the roof line and just threw the old mortar  and waste down the flue. The nails you removed provided minimal support and once removed the wieght of the old mortar (basically sand) just buckled it.  I think your only option is to clean all the debris out via the bottom, a messy proposition and replace the metal. It’s possible that the actual chimney has deteriorated and you might consider having a chminey person inspect……. use one of the companies listed here