The fireplace started smoking out of its right side. There’s a brick wall that’s supposed to meet the mantel and keep the smoke in, but it has started leaning in, letting the smoke out. In fact all the brick lining, especially in the back, is beyond its useful lifespan and failing.
![Front of fireplace Note leaning right wall](http://hardwick.fi/linkables/2010-8/takka_etu.jpg)
Note leaning right wall
You might also notice that the fireplace isn’t symmetrical: on the left side the wall meets the mantle head-on, but on the right side it pokes inside the opening.
It was tool time. I acquired the following:
![Hammers Masons hammer and rubbert-coated mallet](http://hardwick.fi/linkables/2010-8/vasarat.jpg)
Mason's hammer and rubbert-coated mallet
![Trowels and mortar Even trowel, angled trowel and fireproof mortar](http://hardwick.fi/linkables/2010-8/kauha_laasti.jpg)
Even trowel, pointed trowel and fireproof mortar
My plan was to tear down the wall and possibly the rear brickwork, and re-lay the wall so that it meets the mantle like the wall on the opposite side does.
![Dismantling the wall The wall came apart very easily](http://hardwick.fi/linkables/2010-8/laidan_purkaminen.jpg)
The wall came apart very easily
When I got to the end of the wall, I got a surprise: there’s a opening in the corner of the fireplace.
![Opening in fireplace A roughly 20cm deep hole with steel wires going across it](http://hardwick.fi/linkables/2010-8/hole.jpg)
A roughly 20cm deep hole with steel wires going across it
![Opening in fireplace corner A closer view](http://hardwick.fi/linkables/2010-8/hole2.jpg)
A closer view
I can’t lay bricks inside it because of the wires, and I can’t build the wall to meet the mantle because then it won’t cover the hole. I’ll have to leave a corner either inside the firebox or at the top of the wall (if I build it the same way it was before). Somebody made a mistake building this thing.
![Exposed back wall Ive taken out most of the back by now, the opening is in the corner and theres also some empty space over most of the right side](http://hardwick.fi/linkables/2010-8/purettu_takaseinä.jpg)
I've taken out most of the back by now, the opening is in the corner and there's also some empty space over most of the right side
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. To be continued…
bit of a mess you got your self there Sam LOL
jamie