Chimney breast removal

PaDE · 21 Oct 2019 at 16:40

Just a quick Q ...

Thinking of removing the chimney breast in the living room

Its a 30 yr old house and the breast doesn't follow up through to the bedroom above like older houses
The stack runs up the outside of the house
The breast sounds pretty hollow to tap.

Hoping this isn't too big a job

I take it, you need to get a structural engineer in to assess and inform local council?

Thanks

psd99 · 22 Oct 2019 at 08:12

depends on the council
it is worth ringing them up to enquire about it

SeatIbiza · 22 Oct 2019 at 08:34

Watch for potential asbestos too...

I think your first port is a SE to see if it is doing anything more than being just a chimney. Is it brick built outside the house and kind of offset?

Also, why not keep it and stick a wood burner in?

SMN · 22 Oct 2019 at 08:54

Definitely an assessment needs to be done by an engineer; in older houses the chimney stack was / is integral to the entire structure of the building, thus you literally cannot remove it, IIRC? If its newer then you've more of a chance.

fastwunz · 22 Oct 2019 at 13:35

if you intendf to remove the breast but leave the stack then a gallows bracket will be needed - or similar solution

PaDE · 23 Oct 2019 at 18:59

Cheers all, cross reference online with similar builds, we may be lucky and not have too much aggro.

Going to get the SE booked up and get something definitive. Thanks.

DB_SamX · 24 Oct 2019 at 14:04

SMN said:
Definitely an assessment needs to be done by an engineer; in older houses the chimney stack was / is integral to the entire structure of the building, thus you literally cannot remove it, IIRC? If its newer then you've more of a chance.

Correct, they are offer a strong "core" along a gable wall so its removal may require some strenghening to be reinstate in lieu of the chimney.