Jake,
I have a saltbox home with a center chimney servicing 3 fireplaces. In the partially finished basement, the chimney is enclosed in cinder block, and my question is whether I could safely drill into that cinder block in order to hang a decorative barn-board and entry way shelf?
– Sara
Sara,
If your fireplace was built correctly, you should be able to penetrate the front surface of the cinder block, as long as you don’t go through the back side of the cinder block. With that being said, I would have the fireplace inspected by a qualified fireplace inspector to make sure it was built properly. The cost of the inspection is a small price to pay to make sure everything is in working order.