Chimney Breast Removal

Gillby1

Hi MSEers,

A ground floor chimney breast was removed some years prior to our house purchase, leaving the chimney breast in the 1st floor and loft. The chimney stack itself was removed decades ago. We have no idea whether the chimney breasts have been underpinned, but there is no sign of any structural movement as a result. No planning permission/regs are available relating to the work.

Can anyone advise as to whether it would be preferable/cheaper to remove the remaining chimney breasts or to arrange for structural checks and underpinning of the remaining chimney breasts? Any idea of potential costs?

Our house is a Victorian semi.

Thanks!

Dippypud

Get them checked, a neighbouring house of my Mother-in-Law had the stack fall three stories to the basement one Sunday afternoon after a heavy storm, not nice to experience even from a distance ...

FreeBear

If it is just the chimney breast on the first floor and loft space left, makes sense to remove it. BUT... You need to check to see if the neighbour on the other side of the party wall still has their chimney breast in place - Quite often, they are providing structural support for the centre of the building and removing both should only be done after consulting with a structural engineer.

ka7e

Definitely get a structural engineer to have a look. When we enquired about removing one, it needed 2 supports being built into the corners of the room with piers under the floorboards. Then a 13 foot RSJ across the top. And as Freebear said , it would have involved a party wall agreement. Narrow chimney breasts may be supported by a structure fitted under the first floor one, but really only a SE can tell you if it's sufficiently supported.