Install steel beam to support damp chimney stack

pieroabcd

If it came to that, is there any reason why the Council could refuse the application to remove the whole stack?

Section62

F37A said:

Section62 said:

pieroabcd said:

F37A said:

Thanks

The chimney stack i would say is about 2.5-3 metres wide. It is between 2 properties. Property is 1900s. Can't see any cracking on chimney stack. When i feel the stack it is not wet but damp reading suggest damp. This is all info i have atm.

What makes you say that the damp indicates that there's a risk of collapse?
I'm not saying the contrary, but I'd like to understand the connection between the two things.
Is it a conclusion that you have come to or someone suggested it to you?

Gallows brackets are usually steel - sometimes iron - which needs to be kept dry to avoid corrosion.  If the brickwork is damp and in contact with the steel/iron then over time the strength of the brackets will be reduced.  Add in corrosive chemicals from the brickwork/chimney and the rate of loss of strength can be significantly faster.

That doesn't mean the OP definitely has to replace the brackets - it depends on the circumstances and degree of corrosion (if any) - but this could be the reason why someone has told them there is a (potential) risk of collapse.

I suppose even if there was corrosion and looking to replace the gallow brackets then same thing would happen again with new ones. i guess its case of how damp is the chimney as well

In new work you'd seek to minimise the risk of damp being in contact with steel and/or make judicious use of corrosion prevention. In any event, allowing masonry to remain damp is generally a bad idea (especially with lime mortar) so the first priority would be tracing and hopefully eliminating the source of damp.

F37A

Section62 said:

F37A said:

Section62 said:

pieroabcd said:

F37A said:

Thanks

The chimney stack i would say is about 2.5-3 metres wide. It is between 2 properties. Property is 1900s. Can't see any cracking on chimney stack. When i feel the stack it is not wet but damp reading suggest damp. This is all info i have atm.

What makes you say that the damp indicates that there's a risk of collapse?
I'm not saying the contrary, but I'd like to understand the connection between the two things.
Is it a conclusion that you have come to or someone suggested it to you?

Gallows brackets are usually steel - sometimes iron - which needs to be kept dry to avoid corrosion.  If the brickwork is damp and in contact with the steel/iron then over time the strength of the brackets will be reduced.  Add in corrosive chemicals from the brickwork/chimney and the rate of loss of strength can be significantly faster.

That doesn't mean the OP definitely has to replace the brackets - it depends on the circumstances and degree of corrosion (if any) - but this could be the reason why someone has told them there is a (potential) risk of collapse.

I suppose even if there was corrosion and looking to replace the gallow brackets then same thing would happen again with new ones. i guess its case of how damp is the chimney as well

In new work you'd seek to minimise the risk of damp being in contact with steel and/or make judicious use of corrosion prevention. In any event, allowing masonry to remain damp is generally a bad idea (especially with lime mortar) so the first priority would be tracing and hopefully eliminating the source of damp.

Thanks yes that seems like a good plan. One further issue is whether co-freeholders would object to works on chimney support and if so whether i can force through the works by law on grounds that chimney support via gallow brackets is inadequate and therefore poses a health and safety risk? Either replacing the brackets or installing a steel beam seem the best approaches but my guess is both cause noise pollution and not a quick job.