Chimney breast removal

F_t_P

A quick G**gle tells me this is not an uncommon thing to do in your house - to make a tiny bit more room.

The flat I own is the first floor of a Victorian terraced house. There is one other flat in the building, the ground floor flat. Above my flat is the roof space/roof.

My flat has two bedrooms. The "back bedroom", at the back, overlooking the garden, has a boarded up fireplace and I would like to remove the chimney breast to make the room bigger. The chimney breast is diagonally across one corner of the room, to remove this would substantially increase the size of the room.

My question is: Can I just get a builder to take away the bricks that make up the chimney breast/fireplace and plaster the corner to make good? Are there any structural issues that I need to consider? Do I need to speak to a building surveyor?

(My question is NOT anything to do with keeping the fireplace there because people like original fireplaces in flats/houses).

Thanks for advice.

Bonbon

I am no expert, but had a chimney breast removed in my old victoirian house. It was a DIY job and we were told that we must either remove the entire chimney or support the the remaining part. We chose the latter and put up an RSJ (?) I think that's what it's called. I 'm sure a builder will be able to answer you more professionally than me.

LandyAndy

Bonbon wrote: »

I am no expert, but had a chimney breast removed in my old victoirian house. It was a DIY job and we were told that we must either remove the entire chimney or support the the remaining part. We chose the latter and put up an RSJ (?) I think that's what it's called. I 'm sure a builder will be able to answer you more professionally than me.

You very much do need to support the remaining chimney:).

Kiran

Do you know for certain that downstairs are not using the fireplace still?

It is more complicated when bits of the chimney will be left and you will need building control approval.


HTH

F_t_P

Not only are the downstairs people NOT using the fireplace, but they had their chimney breast removed years ago. I understand this makes it a bit precarious upstairs?!! So I really should remove mine as well.

I'm going to do it properly and get a building surveyor to tell me exactly what to do.

Thanks