Building advice needed -removed chimney breast

[slowmotion]

Just to go back to the surveyor's photos.....it looks like the chimney only sticks out half a brick (102mm) from the face of the wall. That doesn't make for much of an eccentric loading on it. In addition, the new brickwork extends a long way past the old flue so it covers some external/party wall that is likely to be of a decent thickness. If some of those new bricks are keyed into the old masonry, IMVVHO, it should be perfectly OK. It looks like the chipboard could just be a platform on which to start laying bricks, not a strictly structural element. Maybe the builder wasn't so dumb after all....dunno.

 

[craven2354]

My dads company builds houses and once the surveyor made them put fire doors on a built in wardrobe surveys are you peanuts sometimes

 

[berty bassett]

can't tell from pictures if the bricks stick out 4.5" or 9" - if its 4.5 inch then its a easy job and doubtful if it would have ever moved - if its 9 inches then it does need more support but can be easily done with either steel or meaty timbers - i have used both and personally like proper timbers spreading load as you are relying on the fixings if just steel brackets - there is nothing stopping you using both if you are scared but timbers take up more space in roof area if that is an issue . there was obviously 2 flues guessing 1 in bedroom and 1 downstairs so if not tied in it took some building to do it like that so cant help thinking its tied in some how ! while they were building it they would have parched mortar on the inside giving it a thin lining to help stop acids burning through and they had to go up at an angle not only to meet the middle so only one stack , but also to give the flue some bends as they draw smoke a lot better with bends
that seems a decent price because it aint a nice job to do - he will be on good money and you will have peace of mind - every body is happy

 

[dellzeqq]

It's not easy to tell, but the photograph on page 1 suggests the projection is nine inches. The arrangement of bricks facing the camera suggests that the bonding with the party or external wall isn't all that it might be. Any remedy would have to take account of a great deal more than can be seen in the pictures.

 

[dellzeqq]

if it's built and bonded through that would be some comfort, but the arrangement of bricks facing the camera suggests it might not be bonded through.

I've seen plenty of three quarter brick chimney breast projections. The chimney breasts are back to back and are half brick-brick (flue)-half brick between flues-brick (flue)-half brick. Take away the chimney breasts on both sides and you're left with a half brick wall. Take away one chimney breast and you're left with an unbonded cantilever with rotting mortar. Cue cracking above roof level.

 

[asterix]

..and of course you'd have to consider wind load. How much exposed stack area have you got, how sheltered is your location wrt the prevailing winds?

 

[dellzeqq]

..and of course you'd have to consider wind load. How much exposed stack area have you got, how sheltered is your location wrt the prevailing winds?

there's no substitute for expert advice from somebody on the spot

 

[Over The Hill]

If no one uses the chimney then you could have the top taken down to the apex and capped off properly. That would take away the main source of any strain on the stack.
Re the photo, not sure if there is much holding the sloping bricks on the wall as they cannot be properly tied in to the normal bricks behind.

 

[berty bassett]

wind won't have much difference as still held by ridge , rafters and slates to a certain extent so no difference there - if it is 9" sticking out then it can only be tied in in with wall ties and built with a profile like an arch - if thats the case then you are doing right thing in getting it seen to as theres not alot holding it up now the bottom has been taken out - i would use timber myself - maybe with angle iron on top

 

[asterix]

wind won't have much difference as still held by ridge , rafters and slates to a certain extent so no difference there - if it is 9" sticking out then it can only be tied in in with wall ties and built with a profile like an arch - if thats the case then you are doing right thing in getting it seen to as theres not alot holding it up now the bottom has been taken out - i would use timber myself - maybe with angle iron on top

Corbels?

 

[berty bassett]

Corbels?

same to you

 

[Archie_tect]

Mister P{aul, get advice on site... those chimneys are not bonded in, which wouldn't be a problem with the chimney breasts in place to support them, but the chimney splays are not corbelled at all [as they should be], the support appears to be built off a sheet of non structural boarding carried on the ceiling jpists, + you have one flue in use so can't remove the chimney stack... you need to speak to the vendor and get the price reduced, by the cost of appointing a structural engineer in to advise, and the cost of putting in a suitable support above the ceiling line.
Don't accept it as it is.