I have 2 chimneys in my 1927 house. I was told I should remove the wood structure in the basement which is directly touching the bricks. I believe the wood was used to hold the bricks together as they were being mortared in. These bricks are not the bricks for the floor of the fireplaces. I don't see any signs of damage or heat/fire to the structure but understand they might be a fire hazard. 2 questions.
1. If I remove the wood structure beneath the bricks do I need to put in a metal support?
2. I have drywall in the ceiling beneath one of the fireplaces. Do I need to put in some type of fire resistant material between the bricks and drywall?
Thanks
![Remove structure underneath? Remove structure underneath?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/286/286065-99b13fa6cd3c5b5243997aea6125f595.jpg)
1. If I remove the wood structure beneath the bricks do I need to put in a metal support?
2. I have drywall in the ceiling beneath one of the fireplaces. Do I need to put in some type of fire resistant material between the bricks and drywall?
Thanks
![Remove structure underneath? Remove structure underneath?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/286/286064-153c8e079b31b692c631d24adb54d957.jpg)
![Remove structure underneath? Remove structure underneath?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/286/286065-99b13fa6cd3c5b5243997aea6125f595.jpg)