How do I tear down a brick chimney from behind a wall?

Question

I want to tear down an unused brick chimney behind the hall wall so that I can add a return air vent. The chimney has already been torn down below the roof line. I am going to remove the drywall and get started. What tools will I need and what precautions should I take. My main concern using a sledge hammer is knocking too many bricks down at one time, causing them to crash through the living room drywall.

Answer 1

WOW! I'm  glad I ran across your post. So listen up. I have been a general contractor 4- 30 years and still do my own demo work on small jobs, and forgot where my sledge is. I know Demo=sledgehammer in most peoples minds, thank rookies on TV for that. Most people who don't know how to use hurt themselves, someone else or break things that was not to be broken, at best it makes them real tired and sore  muscles. You will need leather gloves since brick handling is very abrasive to skin, I have used duck tape wrap on fingers for small jobs, glasses, mask to cover mouth and nose<See Below>, rent or borrow small  electric hammer drill, around 10- 12#s with a 1/2 and 1 inch flat chisel blade, and quickly take apart 1 or 2 bricks at a time, don't force it, let the tool do the work at the mortar joints,Its really quick and no damage. If you are going to let bricks fall down  to open fireplace you must wet OLD bed sheets in tub and completely cover opening, don't forget inside is going to be full of soot and creosote dropping down,<think chimmeny sweep> Mask and wet sheets  is for dust soot and possible asbestos in fireproof mortar Wet vac helpful for clean up. Small framing hammer and flat chisel also helpful. If you have any questions contact me through yahoo. HAPPY DEMO! JERRY.