I knocked down a brick wall but now we NEED HELP!

Hi all 👋 This week, we returned to remodelling our auction farmhouse property to tackle the 1980s fireplace brickwork.
We've been thinking long and hard as to whether we like it the stone style bricks.... whether it's dated or not.
But after realising it would be difficult to install hardwood flooring up to it neatly (which I may regret trying) AND we want a 2 way multi-fuel stove fire installed, which would need to be partially removed to make the opening bigger, we decided to remove it all.
I forgot just how strenuous is was on the body, because we not only wanted to remove them, but also clean and stack them tidily for any future projects.
But not only that, we're now left with a quandary as to how to fix things and proceed to the next step
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[@Paul-FrancisB]

We installed a Stanley Lismore Boiler Stove (same people as AGA and Rayburn) and linked to a twin coil pressurised hot water tank as well as the radiators/underfloor heating. Really efficient and effective. I particularly wanted one with that was multi fuel as well as external air supply, as that avoids the need for an air brick and the consequential draft it causes, and is not as affected by wind direction. The twin coil PHWT means we have hot water from the stove, immersion heater and conventional gas boiler at the moment, although that may become an ASHP in the future.

[@alexandergray9815]

yes, 2 way stove we have a woodwarm fireview double and it genuinely fires out heat to both rooms, its excellent quality too

[@stephenhall5430]

Wow there is alot of projects in that pile😅

[@lynjermey6423]

You could have a radiator coming of the fire as well. You are doing amazing. ❤❤

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much ❤

[@alexdjhill]

Did you check for asbestos in the fire place?

[@solutionyst2148]

Was just thinking the same when she started pulling out that fibrous board above it

[@martinw245]

​@@solutionyst2148 Me too.

[@katieh200]

Hi Vikki my mum & dad had a back boiler but the gas company condemn it they said that you can’t have a back boiler now 😔 . I think a through and through fire would be great looking huni xx

[@thebermudaangle9958]

🎉oh yes...a two-way fire place definitely!! 🎉

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Hopefully we can make it happen, but need to check the measurements for the dining room side

[@aarya_ai]

1:30 do you have plans for the random toilet next to the bathtub planters? Ornamental flower pot perhaps? 😊

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Exactly that, i wanted to use the whole bathroom suite we found in a hedgerow for fun, but the sink was cracked so i took it to tip. Any suggestions what i should plant it it?😀

[@JohnJones-wo1bc]

You have both done so much, and yet, there is always another job. Don't let it get you down! You are both doing a sterling job, and the end result will be worth it!

[@pman2916]

Wheelbarrow with moving the bricks out would've come in handy. Looks so much better and definitely more space. I've always wanted a two way fireplace..it's gonna look amazing!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks! I fancy an electric one 😆😆

[@craigturner01]

I had a Stovax Cassette inset fire fitted around 20yrs ago. Installer was happy to join in to the 9" terracotta chimney but apparently that's not allowed anymore. They insist on a stainless flue and it's pretty pricey. Noticed your wood burner wasn't actually attached to the chimney. Just kinda inserted in so smoke could blow back in the room. Anyhow supposedly it's warmer now so hopefully that burner will be long gone and another in before it gets cold again. Good job with those bricks btw. I just know I'd have started somewhere in the middle and hoped for the best 😅

[@shaunsmith690]

A bit of a mucky dusty job there for you. The room looked bigger all ready in my opinion . A two way fire i think would look great and would heat both rooms up at the same time.

[@darrenmackenzie1892]

Much better. Open double sided stove that can be seen on both walls.. plaster the old stone work. Thats what id do..

[@markduggan3451]

You both deserve a lot of praise for all your hard work. You are going to have an amazing property.

[@gumboe2007]

Definitely a two way log burner. Consider reducing the size of the brick and breeze block structure so that you can walk all the way around it. I think it would open up the room more, look nice and may help with airflow as an added bonus

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks. I'm not sure we can as it's also structural

[@Pakikiable]

Amazing job! Well done. The garden is looking very good. And I like the idea of double side. ❤keep going I am always looking forward to your videos. Very inspiring. 😅

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much and glad you enjoy them ❤❤

[@bee3456]

looks great with them off the wall, and epic that you've been careful removing them to preserve them for future projects!! sustainability and budgeting :))

[@36ydna]

All those extra bricks will make a nice outdoor bar-b-q, outdoor cooking area, worktop, sink, pizza oven, etc.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Ooh... thank you! I love that idea!

[@VampyRagDoll]

I was told back boilers don’t exist anymore. We have one in but it hasn’t worked in 18 years lol

[@MK-yo4jn]

OMG just catching up. Thank god you got rid of that monstrosity. It’s soo satisfying watching you meticulous clean the brick. Great job with trying to save the bricks ❤😊

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Haha.... Mr TCD insisted on us cleaning them up as we go. He's the tidy organised one 😅

[@davideyres955]

That stuff in the top of the fire place looked a bit fiberious to me. I’d get that tested for asbestos especially as it’s in an area where a non combustible material would be used. Stay safe.

[@aarya_ai]

Agreed. Asbestos is most commonly found in chimneys and insulation around old boilers.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

We've had it checked - it was plasterboard

[@paulyh4531]

Blimey that was a task , they almost looked like paving slabs. At least it's warmed up a bit for you. 👌

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Ha... similar kind of texture!

[@livefollower3339]

Out door kitchen for sure pizza..bbq wash are ..for both food and veg when harvest...

[@petemoring67]

NO-ONE! Could possibly doubt your commitment to 'Hard Graft' .... It baffled me HOW you managed to get so much done in the garden - Let alone fighting with those bricks indoors 😂😂 - You'll have muscles like GARTH Soon 💪💪

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Haha... thanks so much! Would love to be stronger with lifting stuff higher than my waistline 😅

[@stephenhall5430]

Wheelbarrow

[@soooofetch]

It looks so much better already

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much! I agree 😀

[@awt]

The tour of your veg garden at the start is amazing! It looks so well organized and enormous, so much work has gone into that. Such a difference from the videos when you first moved in.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thank you 😀 I just want to make it bigger and bigger lol

[@mafish7962]

❤❤❤

[@fayeashcroft7066]

Huge huge job taking out the bricks 🧱 in loungeroom The jackhammer and power tool and crow bar worked well. Love how you cleaned up as you and hubby was working on it. Looks fantastic. I larger opening will look great. I’ve seen 2 way fireplaces in magazines for years and always wanted one. All the best. Cheers 🥂 Australia 🇦🇺 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@colinsmith6280]

Glad you had it checked out first ,and keep up your good work.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

No, it wasn't asbestos - it was plasterboard. We've had the fire checked out the company confirmed it too

[@MrLikerBiker]

Uses the bricks to make a pizza oven as well as a BBQ. Mini stone henge ? Hope that boarding you removed wasn't asbestos

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks. It definitely didn't look like asbestos to me.. more like plasterboard

[@paulyh4531]

@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK or fire resistant fiber board which they used ages ago.

[@wisher21uk]

Wow You too are taking on some massive jobs, it looks so different now i can’t wait to see the finished result. Vikkie hats off to you and Mr TDC 😊

[@stevenmoran4060]

There should be a steel plate above the fire that the stove chimney goes through and a seal between it and the plate. It stops the fumes and also stops cold air entering the room. The stoves also work much better with a much bigger gap around them so when the body of the stove heats up that also radiates into the room.

[@chrisrand5185]

I can highly recommend a Clearview stove, compact with a high heat output and very clean burning. I believe they have double sided stoves. It looks like you have a salt glazed flue which will not require a liner, but must have a condensation trap at the base of the flue. The advantage of this is that it allows heat to transfer to the masonry which then acts as a giant storage heater which continues to radiate heat when the fire dies down. Good luck with this project, I watch with interest and admiration.

[@marks-0-0]

I've got the small Clearview as i didn't have the room for the larger 8kw i think it is, nice stoves with large internals for their size.

[@stephenhall5430]

Mortor is good for road base 😅

[@pankajsharks4337]

Very nice mam 🎉

[@JefferyHarrold]

I think what you are looking for is something called a "Double Sided Inset Boiler Stove". Very pricey, but not much more than a new boiler!

[@dermotkelly6946]

You are doing a great job , last time I watched your videos it wasn’t this house you were working on , if this is your new house it is well worth doing the work on, it looks to have great potential and will be a lovely family home , good luck 👍

[@lastgameplay]

Thanks for your videos. You and your husband are state of the art

[@lindakleiner5734]

A double sided fireplace would look lovely. Your yard is looking amazing.❤

[@darrenmackenzie1892]

Garden project with the old brick work..

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I think that will happen!

[@judyryan2507]

Definitely a double side fire place if it possible

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

We're doing our best to make it happen ❤

[@brokenbritain9441]

I'm so glad that hideous wall is gone😊 when you put the plasterboard on there's different types of dot and dab the new types is in a spray form which is much better. Sometimes it's better to do jobs when the weather's nice as the house doesn't get cold.

[@DaveGDesigns]

It’s not only brilliant that you’re doing so much yourself but it’s the way you do it that impresses me. If that was me I’d be smashing it all over the place and have broken bricks everywhere. Oh and I think all concrete breakers should now officially be called “Jig a Pigs” 😂. Can’t wait to see you next weekend I’ll save my best hug for you as you deserve it after all your hard work x

[@paulalanryder5397]

What you call a concrete breaker is known as a Kango in the building game it can do a lot more than break concrete

[@across8339]

Pizza oven from the bricks and a double-sided wood burner will be awesome!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Was great to see you again today and thanks for all of your ideas! We're discussing them already!

[@across8339]

@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK It was really lovely to see you too, I enjoyed our chats. Keep an eye on your email, I will send you the model of the double-sided fireplace along with some more photos.

[@logtothebase2]

Im not sure on this, I would be tempted to take a hammer to that whole section and make one big square room as an American style, large open kitchen/ diner/ living space with an Island approximately where the fireplace wall is, now then insulate the nuts off it and get a heap pump. (no doubt way beyond the budget). I dont really like L shaped space you have ATM and given the outbuildings you have, spare rooms, office and storage should not be an issue, also insulate your way out of the heating issue rather than upping the expensive BTU. Having said that to keep within a sensible budget including the time effort ones, as it stands, I would do the same as you 🙂

[@VonL1963]

A double sided fire place would look awesome Vikkie, and like you said, 2 rooms get heated at once. Nice job on the brickwork. Not a job I would have enjoyed!

[@dannyhampshire9077]

Just be careful if they may be asbestos around

[@nigelhaines7900]

Did they not wall tie the bricks to the blockwork when they built the wall didnt see any when you took it down great job by the way

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

No, I didn't see any.

[@barryford7135]

You should have started in the recess & you would have got the rest out easier.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I'm guessing you mean the cubby holes?

[@annehoy9224]

Vikki you are an absolute work horse, every thing is coming together brilliantly,it would look magnificent having a fire that can heat both rooms at the same time and both openings would look so posh !!!! Keep up the good work FANTASTIC channel love Sunday nights when you upload xxxx thanks VIKKI and MR TCD💖👌👍

[@garyphillips7993]

I’d look at knocking the rest of the wall down by putting a steel I beam support in. That’d leave a free standing central fire place as a feature in an open plan living/dining area? With the old bricks I’d be looking at making an outdoor dining/bbq sitting area with them.

[@JojoChampion]

That's where all the dust has come from. Excellent job as ever V.L.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

yes, you were right 😂

[@boyscott7193]

The old bricks would make a fantastic bug hotel somewhere secluded, especially if small gaps are left between them

[@ohasis8331]

At least you don't have to worry about snakes in your firewood logs :) You handle that electric hammer pretty well - exercise and work all in one go.

[@BrasherFox]

I think Dunsley do a back boiler but not certain. They are a British company and worth checking out.

[@MK-yo4jn]

Also forgot to say. Go to your local chippy and pick up free empty potato sacks for the rubble. They’ve been a life saver for us

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Great idea!

[@jwall6006]

The idea of using the bricks to build a Barbecue is great. I thought maybe if you need a retaining wall somewhere on the property. They may be not a color you’d normally use, but they could be parged then painted or stained. They really did need to come out of the house though. It looks so much bigger without them looming up.

[@markschattefor6997]

You could use the cement parts as a kind of gravel if you throw them in a cementmixer with some boulders to make them smaller.

[@OllyParryJones]

Great progress since your last video, Vikkie! I can't suggest what to do with the fireplace but look forward to seeing where you go with it. I like that you can seemingly reuse 'waste' materials around the property. In most homes, bricks would probably be discarded. But with your land and space, you could explore so many ideas, like the tracks and barbecue. :-)

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks, Olly. I suppose we've got to be resourceful. If we're not careful, this place will swallow up our money very quickly as there doesn't seem to be any such thing as a small/mini job. Gardening has been at a much larger scale than I realised lol

[@onesoundJM]

Have you considered paneling your walls instead? Good luck regards Jonathan

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Actually.... I haven't. You might be on to something there! I'll have a think!

[@jonathangreenwood793]

We found loads of those stones in a stack outside when we bought our property. They have made fantastic path/drive edging. I hope you had a decent soak after all that work. It was exhausting just watching you! Fabulous content as ever.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much. Yes, I always have a soak after DIY... with Epsom salts lol

[@theOldApple556]

That was a lot of brick to deal with! Good work. If I were you I would use the bricks to line outdoor walkways maybe even use the big bricks to make posts along the walkway and place some lights on top of them. Can’t wait to see the next video!

[@davidkirkpatrick6977]

Hi you said at the beginning that you needed to define the edge of the garden why not use the bricks for that purpose.

[@tommiller1315]

Reclamation & Builders Merchants - you may find a back boiler at one of these suppliers near you. I got a Victorian fireplace from Cambridgeshire, many years ago, and was amazed at the architectural treasures available.

[@Knowledge7444]

Thank you a previous video you used a fork rather than spade to move wood chippings. I have used it to move soil for a french drain so much easier.. wouldn't have thought of using fork..

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I tried a fork for this too... it did work, but not as effective. Learnt it from Charles Dowding and it's so much better in general!

[@steve6375]

Wood/Coal and gas stoves may be banned in 10 years time. They are very bad for the environment. I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy one now, I'm just saying to think carefully about what you would do with the space if they were banned in the future. e.g. mount a large screen TV there, make an alcove, etc. without having to strip out all walls, plaster, carpets, skirting, etc. again!

[@MrCrabbing]

Wow you have made some fantastic progress, I wish I had half the go you two have.

[@Tom-sc4qk]

4K60 videos FTW. Keep up the good work TCD

[@lindaallen78]

OMG Vikki. Do you ever stop? Be good to know that you have finally got rid of all the mice droppings there. It's a really good time to be getting these jobs done. Then you'll be all warm and cosy for Autumn and Winter. I know, I know, after all the rain we have to squeeze in a summer. 😄 We have to play by Mother Nature's rules unfortunately. Have a great week. 😊

[@HouseFairyDIY]

That was a good decision! It looks a lot bigger and that hearth was so big and such a trip hazard. I think you should be able to gently remove a row of red bricks sitting on the breeze blocks and then fit a concrete lintel.

[@micah06v8]

I definitely think you should try to go with the double-sided fireplace if you can. The reason people are telling you you can't get back boilers anymore is because back boilers have been illegal to install since 2005.

[@MT-zn6tc]

I'm envious of how clean your bricks are when they've come out. Our external blocks are almost identical (can't find a supplier anymore, ours have a butter colour to them) and we've spent hours cleaning the mortar off them.

[@alcg3981]

If you're looking to heat and not just ambiance, I think a closed fireplace works best. Can't think of the name in English 😮. I sometimes just light ours for 3 or 4 hours at night and it heats enough to turn the electric radiators off! And in the morning, the door is still warm!!

[@kennethfletcher1157]

I would go to the tip with all the bags of old cement and rubble and I would just keep the bricks and make a wall a small dwarf wall around your garden area around where you grown all your vegetables

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks. We're planning on using them for tractor tracks 😀

[@southerneruk]

You need to get hold of the building blueprints, that way you can find out what is structural and what is not, I would have the fire open both sides share the heat more, also put a pipe all the way up the chimney tube then wrap copper piping around the pipe you can use this to heat up water, will not get boiling, but it would warm the water up enough to wash up with. Keep looking at the skirting board, it looks like it go through the breeze block wall, if that the case then that breeze block wall is not a supporting wall, which would not surprise me, because loads of bungalows type add on buildings were just a square box, and every thing else added afterwards. But like I said, get hold of a copy of blueprints for the building, get your other half to pop down to the council planning office to see what they have

[@kriswhitmarsh9458]

Don’t know of a double sided log burner with a boiler.. the Parkray Aspect is upto 9kw with back boiler. Good luck with the build it’s an interesting watch!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks. I've had a few people tell me since that fires with back boilers are illegal, so curios they they're also for sale?

[@TheDwight1379]

Back boilers are out, as they don't have the efficiency for the modern day. But a jack and jill fire place would be awesome!

[@gedreillyhomestead6926]

Re the fire - it will draw air (oxygen) from any vent or air gaps in the room. If you are between the air coming in (cold) and the fire you will feel this as a cold draught unless the new fire has a dedicated air intake. The garden is beginning to look very organised. 👍

[@Vanjonsorz]

Uts part of regulations here now over 5 I w stoves, or any open fire. A PITA, but if getting a pro install, you have no choice. We just bricked it back up the day after sign off. Pointless, but no other way around it.

[@TheWebtuts]

Save the rubble for hardcore later, you will also find the block wall and chimney will be supporting the roof trusses. You can remove and rebuild them make the chimney bigger etc. However, you will need to temp support ceiling roof and trusses experienced bricky.

[@stephnewman1357]

Looks better already. 👍😀 I think a two way fire would look great 😀

[@stephendavies6949]

Back in the day, people used to varnish internal brickwork like that! Careful with that concrete breaker. You'll end up with vibration white finger! Many of my dad's fellow coal miners had it. Suggest consulting an expert stove supplier who will be able to advise you on the best option. PS: better buy your stove before all new installations are banned.

[@kortt]

I think the "two sided" fireplace would be really nice. That's a big project, very interesting! Good Luck!

[@anthonygrodecki7968]

Hi don’t know about back boilers in uk but heat exchangers are used in Europe in a few countries maybe worth investing. However remember you will need access to whatever boiler/ heating system for pipe work.

[@name-ce7sn]

That log burning stove beautiful

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Vikkie, It's that first brick is the tricky one, and after that they come out one by one. It's no fun knocking out brick work, your doing a good job. Take care

[@bluturtles4205]

Paving! they would be great for a little patio area ... or you could use them as flooring for the outdoor shed if you needed too!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much! They'd definitely have a cobbled effect!

[@stevenbennett3922]

I would take it all out and have a large gas pebble bed fire. You have enough space outside for a solar farm and then look at battery storage. Solar water heating might also be an idea.

[@anonymously241]

Wao! 😲 Very huge property!

[@Petertronic]

Great video as always, satisfying seeing that weird wall coming down. I just bricked up the fireplace in my bungalow! A brick hammer is extremely useful if you don't have one, I have the Ox one.

[@MT-zn6tc]

Strongly suggest you look at wet UFH and an ASHP. You could still have a fire but it would be aesthetic rather than functional.

[@gailconway5037]

Two way fire would be smart ❤

[@kaycox5555]

Big time progress! Congraulations!

[@killy1958able]

Definitely w fires, big room, don't be cold 😊

[@blastingweevil2968]

a good place for a lintle is 4 bricks up from the "Rebar" @16:05 and remove either 2 or 3 course depending weather or not you want a large Mantle... seems to be about the right hight and allready has block support either side.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thank you. I'll take a look!

[@BillsAllotmentDiary]

You can get stoves with back boilers especially cooker stoves. Good thing about a cooker stove is you can stick a kettle on top for those lazy evenings. Your place is coming along really well wish I could afford to move out of Manchester to a country setting as you have there it to me is to good to be true. The double room idea is great makes so much sense. Can't wait to see the finished project.

[@rinakaur7245]

Two way fire

[@nigelweaving9045]

A friend of mine had a back boiler behind an open fire to preheat the water to the gas boiler. He designed the system himself and it ran well for years. Sadly, he is no longer with us and his wife wants to replace the open fire and back boiler with a wood stove with a water jacket. They are available but for a minimum of 8 radiators, no good for her but might be OK for your house.

[@jonathanb5552]

Love the idea of a two way fire if its doable without a crazy amount of work. Its a hefty thick chiney and i think it would make the room feel even bigger and more airy being able to see through. Theres a lintel connected on the side of it though which someone previously opened up the room, so it looks like a structural chimney as well. well done of getting rid of the brick, it did look dated.