Q: hearth with no apparent support

[mmahdi]

Hello,

I've attached photos of the fireplace interior, chimney exterior and basement ceiling immediately beneath the hearth.

Now here's the thing: the interior picture is actually my neighbors house. The hearth in my own house was removed and the fireplace drywalled over; that's the 4th picture you see, with fireplace re-exposed. However the area where the hearth was feels solid with no give compared to surrounding area i.e. if I jump on hearth area it's like jumping on concrete.

Project: I'm looking to build a brick masonry wall in front of the brick wall you see. I don't want to use veneer. There is conrete to build on.

Concern: What is supporting this concrete pad, and, can it support the weight of a whole brick wall, considering it's no longer supporting the weight of a hearth?

Your insight is appreciated!

MM

 

[begreen]

It's hard to tell what is behind the covering in the basement without some exploratory surgery.

 

[mmahdi]

It's hard to tell what is behind the covering in the basement without some exploratory surgery.

For sure. I figure it must be something similar to the 3rd picture in the 1st post of this thread:

(https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/hearth-weight-support-reinforcement.74265/)

I also figure if it supported a hearth in the past it should be fine now......but if I'm wrong......

 

[begreen]

For sure. I figure it must be something similar to the 3rd picture in the 1st post of this thread:

(https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/hearth-weight-support-reinforcement.74265/)

I also figure if it supported a hearth in the past it should be fine now......but if I'm wrong......

What I don't understand is why it would be boxed below the joist level. If there is wood under the hearth, it's not correct.

Is the goal to brick up the wall and permanently eliminate the fireplace? If so, I think the weight of the new brick would be at the wall perimeter on the sill, but I am not a carpenter. Will a stove be located here with a liner in the chimney?

 

[mmahdi]

What I don't understand is why it would be boxed below the joist level. If there is wood under the hearth, it's not correct.

Is the goal to brick up the wall and permanently eliminate the fireplace? If so, I think the weight of the new brick would be at the wall perimeter on the sill, but I am not a carpenter. Will a stove be located here with a liner in the chimney?

The goal is to build a "nice" wall, as the current one has alot of damage where the mantle surround was, and would allow to shrink the opening a bit too. I need we'd build on the sill and I will be putting in a wood insert.

Why boxed below joist level: I think concrete was poured here, in a wedge shape, and they needed slightly more room below height of the ceiling.

 

[begreen]

Sounds like it will be fine. The insert will determine what the hearth requirement is.

 

[mmahdi]

Sounds like it will be fine. The insert will determine what the hearth requirement is.

Thanks for your input!