I hope this is the right place to post this. I have a house built in 1921, therefore the walls are all plaster and lathe. I have a little chimney that handles the exhaust from the heating system in the basement, and it runs the length of the house and up through the roof as per usual. The chimney is in the kitchen as well and is covered with plaster to match the walls etc. What I'd like to do is remove the plaster that is covering the chimney so I can clean it up, and give it a nice glossy clear coat. I have two questions about the plaster. First, what are the odds that it would contain asbestos? I won't demolish it if there's asbestos in it. And second, in your opinions, do you think there will be lathe on the chimney, or would it likely have been just plastered right onto the bricks? Thanks for your help guys!

First question,, will it contain asbestos?, I personally doubt it, horsehair perhaps(for strength,instead of asbestos fibers.)

Second question, it was most likely, plastered directly to the brick.

Removal is nothing short of dusty,dirty,and messy.

Recommended removal and final prep,someone suggested on another post using a hammer drill(set on hammer mode only) with a chisel bit(flat 2" or so) This is available at a tool rental shop.(I thought this was a good method for removal,its tough on the arms, but a good workout versus hand removal)

KBC

Might contain asbestos or might not. However, to be safe, I would err on the side that it could be likely that it might contain asbestos. This being for your own safety as well as the safety of others. Asbestos can also be contained in some dry wall tape, plaster, and wall–patching compounds as well as other substances. Please see the following site for at least a partial list of substances that contain asbestos. Asbestos Network: Asbestos--Insulating, Cement, and Construction

I was advised of the possibility of exposure to asbestos when I went tearing into a wall in my own home to do repairs to a plumbing pipe. My home was built around 1915. Lots of horse hair in the plaster. However, that doesn't mean that asbestos fibers are not present in anything having to do with the construction of the wall. Also, there is the possibility of lead contamination as a result of disturbing any old paint that might be on the wall. To be perfectly sure and safe, I would recommend having the wall tested professionally for both asbestos as well as lead. There might be a kit that you could purchase in order to do the testing yourself. But, I'm not sure about that.

Asbestos and/or lead or not, please remember to wear a respirator mask when tearing into any kind of existing construction.

Okay, thanks guys!

I just finished demo on a kitchen built in 1930 and the chimney flue (sp?) backs up to one of the kitchen walls. The plaster was applied directly to the brick with a metal netting to hold it in place. It was not hard to remove and I would be willing to guess that yours is similar.