Removing an elevated fireplace hearth can be difficult and potentially dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right tools, careful planning, and patience, you can safely remove your fireplace hearth without damaging the walls or other materials.
If you are interested in How to Build a Raised Fireplace Hearth, please read our article.
Materials:
- Safety goggles
- Dust mask
- Pry bar
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Masonry saw
- Trash bags or a dumpster
How to Remove a Raised Fireplace Hearth?
- Put on safety goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from debris.
- Please take pictures of the existing hearth.
- Remove tiles or veneer from the top of the hearth using a pry bar and hammer.
- Use a masonry saw to cut through any mortar or adhesive holding the hearth in place. Cut around the perimeter of the hearth to loosen it from the floor.
- Use the pry bar and hammer to carefully lift the hearth off the floor. If it is too heavy to lift, use the masonry saw to cut it into smaller, more manageable pieces.
- Once the hearth is removed, use the chisel and hammer to remove any remaining mortar or adhesive from the floor.
- Sweep up any debris and dispose of it in trash bags or a dumpster.
- If desired, repair any damage to the subfloor or surrounding walls where the hearth was removed.
Taking safety precautions and using proper tools when removing a raised fireplace hearth is essential. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, hiring a professional to do the job for you may be best.
Start by turning off the power to your fireplace. This is for safety purposes, so do this before removing the hearth.
Please take pictures of the existing hearth from several angles before attempting to move it out of place. This will help you remember how it was laid out when it comes time to reinstall it (or replace it).
Start dismantling the raised hearth at one of its ends, working slowly and carefully away from that end until all pieces are removed. Once all details are released, use a hammer or crowbar to gently pry away any mortar holding the old hearth in place.
Clean up any debris left behind after removing the old hearth using a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment designed for tackling masonry dust and debris.
Inspect the area where your old raised hearth was located for signs of damage caused by water seepage or decay due to age or weathering. If necessary, repair any damage before installing your new hearth material (such as tile or stone).
Once all of these steps are complete, you can begin installing your new raised fireplace hearth according to the manufacturer’s instructions. These typically involve laying down a base layer of mortar, followed by setting and grouting the new material in place on top of that base layer, and allowing everything ample time for drying and curing before use.
By following these steps carefully, you can successfully remove an elevated fireplace hearth without damaging walls or other materials in what might otherwise have been a complicated process!
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