How to Take Down a Brick Hearth

Hearths are the sections of a fireplace that rest on the floor in front of the fireplace opening. They primarily serve to prevent embers from flying out and setting the flooring on fire. Brick fireplace hearths are durable and functional, but over time they can become chipped and look outdated. Since the bricks are permanently installed with mortar, the process of removing them may seem daunting. However, with the proper tools and some hard work, removing a brick hearth should not take long.

Pry bar
Tarp
Work gloves
Safety glasses
Dust mask
Cold chisel
3-lb. sledgehammer

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the front and side edges of the hearth to determine if there are moldings on it. If moldings are installed, remove them by prying them up from the floor, using a pry bar.
- 2
  Open up plastic tarps and lay them on the floor all around the fireplace to catch most of the dust and to protect the floors from damage.
- 3
  Put on thick work gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask before proceeding with the demolition process.
- 4
  Place the tip of a cold chisel on top of one of the mortar lines near the front of the fireplace hearth. Hold the chisel securely with one hand and tap the top of it firmly with a 3-lb. sledge hammer to begin chipping away the mortar. Repeat the process until you reach the end of one brick.
- 5
  Reposition the chisel on the mortar on the side of the brick, and repeat the process of chipping it away until the mortar crumbles.
- 6
  Place the chisel at the front bottom edge of the brick, and tap it with the sledgehammer to release the brick from the mortar bed that is most likely located underneath it.
- 7
  Continue using this procedure to remove all of the bricks on the hearth.
- 8
  Place all of the removed bricks in a bucket and take them to a dumpster for disposal. Roll up the tarp and throw it away as well.

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