Hi
I have a fairy standard construction 1980's semi detached house. Block built with some some internal walls being lightweight blocks, others being stud-work.
On the gable end side of the property (ie not the bit attached to the neighbors) we have a front bedroom and a back bedroom. They are divided by a wall and the chimney breast (for the fireplace downstairs). The wall dividing them is block-work between where it butts up to the external wall and the chimney breast and stud-work between the chimney breast and the bedroom's internal door on to the landing.
I would like to knock through the solid part of the dividing wall to be able to take some space from one room for a walk in wardrobe. I can see from the loft that this wall isn't taking any weight from the ceiling.
My concern is that the block wall may in some way be bracing the (large) gable wall against the chimney breast and/or anchoring the chimney to the building. I've heard of other people needing to brace walls against the wind when removing internal walls and I wondered if this block wall could be doing the same. After all, if it wasn't needed then why build one part of the wall in blocks and another in stud-work.
Any thoughts appreciated.
I have a fairy standard construction 1980's semi detached house. Block built with some some internal walls being lightweight blocks, others being stud-work.
On the gable end side of the property (ie not the bit attached to the neighbors) we have a front bedroom and a back bedroom. They are divided by a wall and the chimney breast (for the fireplace downstairs). The wall dividing them is block-work between where it butts up to the external wall and the chimney breast and stud-work between the chimney breast and the bedroom's internal door on to the landing.
I would like to knock through the solid part of the dividing wall to be able to take some space from one room for a walk in wardrobe. I can see from the loft that this wall isn't taking any weight from the ceiling.
My concern is that the block wall may in some way be bracing the (large) gable wall against the chimney breast and/or anchoring the chimney to the building. I've heard of other people needing to brace walls against the wind when removing internal walls and I wondered if this block wall could be doing the same. After all, if it wasn't needed then why build one part of the wall in blocks and another in stud-work.
Any thoughts appreciated.