chimney and stack removal question

missprice

OK so new house has gorgeous chimney breasts. However one has got to come out because it makes the kitchen too awkward. With it in is silly tiny space either side that is no use for cupboard or white goods.

So pondering taking the whole thing out upstairs and stack too.

The flue is in a terrible state, the cement between bricks is perished, or was bad to begin with and it wobbles. My point here is that the flue has to come out anyway.

The neighbors are so far very reasonable and we think there will be no problem with access.
So with it being 2 chimneys but we only want to remove one of them, is that possible?
Can we still take chimney stack down and leave the other chimney in place below the stack, or do we have to take both out?

Do we have to replace the whole beam that holds up floorboards upstairs?
Can we just bolt piece of beam to existing beam, that is either side of breast?

Assume we have to make good next doors stack? How?

Many thanks and can probably post a pic if needed.

rustyboy21

Is the chimney stack used by your neighbours too? If so, you will not be able to take it down, if they have use of it as well, you cant take 1/2 the stack down.


If it is totally yours, then you are better working from the top down, take the stack down under the level of the slates and cover up.


I would suggest you speak to a structural engineer/building dept of council and seek advice. Just removing it downstairs is leaving many tons of unsupported brickwork above your head. You may be able to get away with removing the stack and downstairs breast and leaving the bedroom breast in, but would most likely need structural beams to support it. That's if you don't want to totally renovate the bedroom too.


I know what you mean, I left the breast in our kitchen when it was renovated and now regret it. It would have been better taking it out and having a larger square kitchen. Too much messing now as all units fitted and tiles floor to ceiling that I cannot match again.

missprice

rustyboy21 wrote: »

Is the chimney stack used by your neighbours too? If so, you will not be able to take it down, if they have use of it as well, you cant take 1/2 the stack down.


If it is totally yours, then you are better working from the top down, take the stack down under the level of the slates and cover up.


I would suggest you speak to a structural engineer/building dept of council and seek advice. Just removing it downstairs is leaving many tons of unsupported brickwork above your head. You may be able to get away with removing the stack and downstairs breast and leaving the bedroom breast in, but would most likely need structural beams to support it. That's if you don't want to totally renovate the bedroom too.


I know what you mean, I left the breast in our kitchen when it was renovated and now regret it. It would have been better taking it out and having a larger square kitchen. Too much messing now as all units fitted and tiles floor to ceiling that I cannot match again.

Its a shame its probably coming out, but currently the room is bare, no plaster, no ceiling and so if its going, now is the time. In fact the whole house is bare so bedroom breast out is no problem either.

Yes the stack is shared with my pots my side, neighbours pots, their side.
Thing is too that the stack need work if its staying. Is there no way if making good their side?

No problem working from top down, that was the tentative plan.
Realize roof would need fixing too, and amazingly spare original slates have been found in the house.

Would get someone in to do to just below roof, then do rest diy.

If the stack can't come down how is it supported up there, gallows brackets and beam?

Building control will be contacted, this will all be done by the book.

If the stack and bedroom breast is left in place ( supported ) but the breast taken out what stops water coming down and soaking kitchen?

Ta muchly

wallbash

gallows brackets

These were banned by our local authority some years ago.

f the stack and bedroom breast is left in place ( supported ) but the breast taken out what stops water coming down and soaking kitchen?

Pots are capped

rustyboy21

You are going to have to get the whole stack fixed and left in place. You cannot guarantee that the neighbours flues will be intact, if you started knocking yours away and leaving 1/2 a stack. Plus it wont be safe for them either. Better to strengthen it and do structural reinforcement inside.


Get a decent builder with experience to give you some figures. I feel that you are going to need some RSJ's here, but as not a builder, cannot give you a definitive answer to what you are asking.