As I mentioned, the chimney is much more solid inside the house, where it was not exposed to weather. So taking it apart is more work than I had hoped it would be, but it comes apart after some heavy banging with a hammer. The bricks separate, and then can be dropped down one of the two flues.
The only problem with this plan was that the flues both got clogged with bricks and debris while we worked in the attic. So today, we busted a hole in the side of the chimney at the first floor level where it was clogged, and worked to clear one of the flues.
Once we finished that, we worked out a system. Tom put a board at the bottom of the chimney flue, to catch the bricks and prevent them from shattering on the bottom of the chimney. He would yell "CLEAR!" up the chimney, and I would drop a brick. I would then grab another brick, while he took the first brick out of the base of the chimney. When I was ready with the next brick, I would yell "READY!" and he would again respond "CLEAR!"
Looking up from the second floor to the attic, with half the chimney still standing (now gone)
The goal here was to prevent me from dropping a brick when Tom's hand was in the flue. I started first by dropping all the bricks we had put in the second floor kitchen. Then once we finished those, I started knocking apart more of the chimney, dropping it brick by brick to the basement.
The bricks on the kitchen floor (also gone)
We have taken down ⅔ of the chimney now, and so far, we both have manage to avoid broken bones. The work is grueling, hot and incredibly dusty (coating us in both powdered mortar and soot). But it is also very rewarding. Getting the chimney out takes us a step closer to putting the house on wheels and getting it moving. The old chimney chase will become the pathway for new wiring, plumbing and gas lines.
Tuesday, I'll be back at the chimney. I'm hoping it will be gone by Thanksgiving. That will be something to be thankful for!
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