Underpinning a Chimney Breast

Le_Kirk

Rake is one of those words with multiple uses. Raking out mortar from a wall for repointing is correct as is raking the weeds out of the veggie beds. The RAKE that the OP refers to is the angle. I am not sure I would be happy that the situation as pictured would support the weight of the upper part of the chimney but then I am not a builder. I was an engineer but I'm cured now! Any corbelling I have seen would go further down the vertical wall.

Jaynorth_2

Le_Kirk wrote: »

Rake is one of those words with multiple uses. Raking out mortar from a wall for repointing is correct as is raking the weeds out of the veggie beds. The RAKE that the OP refers to is the angle. I am not sure I would be happy that the situation as pictured would support the weight of the upper part of the chimney but then I am not a builder. I was an engineer but I'm cured now! Any corbelling I have seen would go further down the vertical wall.

So as an engineer what would you suggest? Forget the cure for now

I have spoken to building control and they said that they do not really act in an advisory capacity but will happily collect a fee from me to make a site visit, but again I am not sure what they will assess because I did not commission the work.

At this point I am leaning towards getting in a structural engineer to provide the assessment and recommendation to rectify the issue.

Furts

Jaynorth wrote: »

So as an engineer what would you suggest? Forget the cure for now

I have spoken to building control and they said that they do not really act in an advisory capacity but will happily collect a fee from me to make a site visit, but again I am not sure what they will assess because I did not commission the work.

At this point I am leaning towards getting in a structural engineer to provide the assessment and recommendation to rectify the issue.

If you are getting a Structural Engineer out, then they need to see what is has been built. So you would be wise to remove the boxing around the base of the stack. You will still need an application for regulations if structural work is then required.

Le_Kirk

Jaynorth wrote: »

So as an engineer what would you suggest?

At this point I am leaning towards getting in a structural engineer to provide the assessment and recommendation to rectify the issue.

I would suggest exactly that and also take into account Furts' suggestion.

Jaynorth_2

Yes I agree, a builder that looked at it a few years ago did use a small hammer to knock away some of the outer boxing to see if there was any steel inside so it is possible to see within the outer casing.

I would prefer to approach the council with an application for the work rather than pay them to come out and assess and advise which they say they don't really do.

Thanks for your advice!