Hi,
We are currently decorating our front room. The chimney breast was blocked up years ago with fireplace fitted in front.
I'd like to box the old hole in and fit some shelves etc... for AV kit.
However, the hole is 400mm wide and I need about 500mm for stuff to fit!
To widen I'd hoped that all would be needed would be an appropriately sized lintel and a bit of brickwork rebuild.
However, on inspection of the inside of the chimney I suspect that it has been partially rebuilt at some point - and actually can't see any lintel above the opening.
Pics:
Next to the breast are some old boxed in pipes, think these were for a back boiler which may have been fitted in the past - when removed perhaps previous owner had bricked and tidied up?
My brother, who has done a similar change in his own property, seems to think moving each side out by half a brick would do the trick, but I'm obviously concerned that these may be supporting what looks to be a big slab above!
So... what would my options be?
Does this seem like a common construction?
Cheers
We are currently decorating our front room. The chimney breast was blocked up years ago with fireplace fitted in front.
I'd like to box the old hole in and fit some shelves etc... for AV kit.
However, the hole is 400mm wide and I need about 500mm for stuff to fit!
To widen I'd hoped that all would be needed would be an appropriately sized lintel and a bit of brickwork rebuild.
However, on inspection of the inside of the chimney I suspect that it has been partially rebuilt at some point - and actually can't see any lintel above the opening.
Pics:
Next to the breast are some old boxed in pipes, think these were for a back boiler which may have been fitted in the past - when removed perhaps previous owner had bricked and tidied up?
My brother, who has done a similar change in his own property, seems to think moving each side out by half a brick would do the trick, but I'm obviously concerned that these may be supporting what looks to be a big slab above!
So... what would my options be?
Does this seem like a common construction?
Cheers