Supporting the chimney breast

Joined
13 May 2005
Messages
160
Reaction score
0
Location
Oxfordshire
Country
United Kingdom
I've just started removing my old Parkray fire and the brickwork above it looks decidedly dodgy- it sags down toward the fire in the centre :eek:
It seems that the bricks are being held up by the fire itself. I've cleared one side and am carefully working on the other side. ;)
How do I hold up the wall while I remove the fire and what sort of permanent support will need to go in. :?:
I've uploaded some pics.


Advice please :oops: View media item 2137 View media item 2138 View media item 2136
 
Sponsored Links
You'll need to go higher up to see if there's a lintel.

Edit:misssing word :rolleyes:
 
the fire installers have had to remove some of the original masonry, above the fire and re-lay the brick on edge.

this is obviously to save space as the flue or components of the fire would have interfered with the original masonry.

i would remove the cobbled-up bricks (or let them fall out), install a concrete lintel at the desired height and re-build the brickwork above.
 
An ideal place for a lintel if poss is where your lowest arrow is.

The wall won't fall down when you remove the bricks.
 
Sponsored Links
Class. We'll build it off the surround, that'll do.

And Joe's right. For once.
 
The wall won't fall down because it can't. What you have when you remove the dodgy bricks is an arch . All the bricks are sort of corbeled. Each one holds the other in place.

As a rough but accurate guide, draw an equilateral triangle from the top of the opening upwards. Only the bricks in that triangle can fall down. All the others are supported by the brick underneath and above it.
 
The wall won't fall down because it can't. What you have when you remove the dodgy bricks is an arch . All the bricks are sort of corbeled. Each one holds the other in place.

As a rough but accurate guide, draw an equilateral triangle from the top of the opening upwards. Only the bricks in that triangle can fall down. All the others are supported by the brick underneath and above it.

Thanks-I understand now-but I'll still go steady :D
 
The wall won't fall down because it can't. What you have when you remove the dodgy bricks is an arch . All the bricks are sort of corbeled. Each one holds the other in place.

As a rough but accurate guide, draw an equilateral triangle from the top of the opening upwards. Only the bricks in that triangle can fall down. All the others are supported by the brick underneath and above it.
This needs a sticky: Joe not talking out of his a*se for once :LOL:
 
Well, the boiler came out and nothing fell down
:D What material does the lintel need to be made from?
The plan was for a small log burner in the space but they are just too expensive so I want to put in a working open fire instead :)
What do I need to do to prepare the space and how do I go about it. :?:
Any advice would be grate :LOL:
 
use a proprietary 75mm x 100mm, precast concrete (pcc) builders lintel.

it will require a minimum of 100mm end bearings.

so work out the clear span plus 200mm and buy the nearest size to suit.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top