How to Remove the Facade From a Fireplace

Remove the mantel from the fireplace. Slip a crow bar between the back of the mantel and the wall. Place a piece of thick cotton or linen behind the crow bar to protect the wall. Gently push on the crow bar to loosen the mantle from the wall. Use a pair of pliers to remove the nails that connect the mantle to the wall.

Place the end of a chisel in the top of the mortar between the stones at the edge of the fireplace facade. Point the end of the chisel downward, at about a 45-degree angle. Rap the end of the chisel with a mallet, breaking the mortar between the stones and loosening the stone.

Continue the process of loosening the mortar between the stones around the facade of the fireplace until all of the stones have been loosened.

Remove the stones from the facade of the fireplace with your hands. Pull up on the stones and slowly pull them out. Start with the stones at the top and edges of the facade and work your way to the middle and the bottom of the surround.