Hi. The other half has had an idea, now I'm left sorting it.
Making space for a new fireplace.
The attached drawing shows the existing opening and lintel in grey, the chimney flu space in blue, and the new opening that is needed in orange.
From looking around the internet I've seen that I'd need a new lintel that's at least 100mm longer at each end than the new opening (850mm).
The old lintel is 2 courses high but the lintel I've seen at wickes is 60mm.
I'm thinking take out the old lintel, remove bricks on either side and fit the new one.
This guy says " If the chimney breast is brick and the opening no wider than one metre then I am happy to breakout and fit a new lintel without using acroprops. ".
http://www.stovefittersmanual.co.uk/articles/fitting-a-fireplace-lintel/
Is this safe?
Thanks