Fireplace Filled with Rubble

When we bought our Victorian the fireplace is full of rubble which has a cast iron screen/guard in front of it. Hard to tell whether it’s been put there to block the fireplace for some reason or it has fallen from within the chimney (although I don’t think the latter is the case). Any thoughts on what’s going on. Ideally I’d like to clear out the rubble and restore the inside of the hearth. Thanks

microfiche

in Chimney and Fireplace 10 years and 10 months ago

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daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 10 months ago

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snowman…..it’s just a photo i got off of gooogle to show him what a summer cover is.

snowman2 | 10 years and 10 months ago

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That does not look like a Victorian fireplace. It appears to be put together with a combo of new materials and the antique summer screen. I do not see a chimney but if it’s a frame house, the chimney may not project into the interior. Proceed with caution.

resident2 | 10 years and 10 months ago

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The cast iron screen is as noted the “Summer Screen” this was to stop birds from falling or coming down the flue in the summer and coming in the house as well as other un-wanted’s. As for the rubble, it is either the dried out mortar etc. from the inside of the flu or I have also seen prior contractors using the vacant cavity to dispose of their garbage!. Disposing of garbage has always been an expensive issue for contractors. So, yes just clean it all out, have one of the recommended chimney flue re-builders come and reline it etc. and fire away! Even if you do not want to re-line it and use the fireplace, you do still need to maintain it.

dorkofwindsor | 10 years and 10 months ago

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this happened with my chimney (which was unlined btw). Basically, the old mortar and bricks deteriorate and crumble from the inside. I ended up removing and installing new chimney which included a new clay liner, although you might just see if you can get away with installing a new liner. I had whole and partial bricks falling down the chimney on a regular basis.

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 10 months ago

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I assume you are talking about something like this which is called a “summer cover” The rubble is likely the result of chimney deterioration. Get a professional to assses the situation. A number of them have been recommended here in many threads.