Hello,
In a fit of excitement we removed the plaster from the (suspiciously large) chimney breast in the living room and were pleased to discover a great big fireplace, with stone lintel. Sadly the lintel has broken, with an obvious crack in the middle.
The original fireplace had been bricked up to fit a "standard" firebox (hope Ive used the right term). The bricks remain in place until we have worked out how to safely proceed....
We would like to re-instate the original opening, in order that we can fit a stove.
Is it possible to fix stone lintels whilst they are in situ (I imagine not)? The stone itself has only one vaguely flat-ish face and isnt dressed, so a "rustic" finish would be fine.
Is there a sneaky way of fitting a hidden lintel behind the broken one?
If we have to remove the broken lintel, how do we support the chimney breast (its stone built with lime mortar and with rubble fill)?
The chimney breast only exists in the ground floor room, the flue is within the stone wall in the floor above. Sizes as follow: Chimney breast/lintel width 70 inches. Gap below is 40 inches wide.
Any advice really appreciated, thanks!
In a fit of excitement we removed the plaster from the (suspiciously large) chimney breast in the living room and were pleased to discover a great big fireplace, with stone lintel. Sadly the lintel has broken, with an obvious crack in the middle.
The original fireplace had been bricked up to fit a "standard" firebox (hope Ive used the right term). The bricks remain in place until we have worked out how to safely proceed....
We would like to re-instate the original opening, in order that we can fit a stove.
Is it possible to fix stone lintels whilst they are in situ (I imagine not)? The stone itself has only one vaguely flat-ish face and isnt dressed, so a "rustic" finish would be fine.
Is there a sneaky way of fitting a hidden lintel behind the broken one?
If we have to remove the broken lintel, how do we support the chimney breast (its stone built with lime mortar and with rubble fill)?
The chimney breast only exists in the ground floor room, the flue is within the stone wall in the floor above. Sizes as follow: Chimney breast/lintel width 70 inches. Gap below is 40 inches wide.
Any advice really appreciated, thanks!