removing chimney breast with no supporting walls

[1stProject]

Hi all,

I have two separate chimney breasts/chimneys in a 3 bed semi in barking, essex, 1930-40's build. The chimney in question has no supporting walls in the loft space and is a standalone, it does go up against the dining and bedroom wall but as soon as it reaches the ceiling and loft space there are no walls supporting it, what makes matters worse is that the chimney is located directly on the part of the roof where both sides are pitched ^. I don't know how the stack can be supported without it being removed, im not sure whether this can be done either due to planning laws, i have contacted my planning dept. and they will only come out when building works have started, having read various forums i haven't come across any posts that deal with a chimney like this yet. any help/tips/recomendations greatly appriciated. One idea was to remove the bricks upto the roof joists and then support the stack using those joists and adding new ones to block off the stack?? I shall post some pictures soon if this helps. Many thanks. BTW, thanks to all those who helped me to sucessfully remove the old ceelings, mission accomplished!!

 

[Static]

Pics help..

Sounds like you gonna have to remove the whole chimney.. check the neighbours properties if they are similar build and see what they have done.. if most have removed the stack then planning shouldnt be a problem and is a simple application.

 

[1stProject]

thanks static, all of my neighbours have their chimneys intact, will post pics this evening.

 

[alittlerespect]

Hi

The BCO will more than likely suggest that you to install a 'gallows bracket' to support the remaining section of chimney breast!

If you do not know what a gallows bracket is do a web search, you are bound to find the information?

Regards

 

[1stProject]

sorry i haven't managed to upload any photos yet, thought i had some on my camera but turns out not, so has to be weekend now. i spoke to the authority earlier today and the very helpful officer told me that it was ok to take the pot down. he told me to make a start then give them a call a day before we want him to come and visit, so i think i will get a roffer/builder to take the pot off and roof the hole. i will try to tackle the rest from loft down. i think i may need an angle grinder to cut throght the bricks/mortar in a straight line where both sides of the breast corner into the room wall, what do u think?

alittlerespect - i dont think it is possible to use gallow brackets as there are no walls to support this on in the loft space, i suppose i could use it below ceeling level but wouldn't this look a little untidy as it would be exposed in th bedroom?

 

[Static]

Did you talk to planning or building control?

Gallows brackets wouldnt work unless you intend to keep the chimney in the bedroom and only remove the ground floor section.. even so its not always the right option..

 

[1stProject]

i spoke to building control. i had a roofer around today who will take the chimney off the roof and make good the roof. What is the best way to get rid of the chiney breast? Kango the face and chisel sides? ? any ideas much appriciated. Thanks

 

[Static]

What is the best way to get rid of the chiney breast?

From the top down..

You man need planning to remove the chimney as well as its an external alteration to the roof..

 

[1stProject]

hi static, obviously from the top down you wudn't believe, had a shoddy builder round the other day, he told me to take all of it off and then he'd come and take the stack off and patch the roof up, when i questioned him why he had electrician written of his van he told me he had 9 vans!! LoL
anyways.... you got any more constructive ideas on how to get the edges finished so it helps fixing wall back up quicker, could i use a brick/mortar grinder and cut along the edges or traditional hammer and chisel as suggested previously. When i told the BCO that i needed to remove the chimney stack he told me that was the only way and that would not be a problem. Its not a conservtion area as far as i know. I managed to get a company who are roofing specialist would do the whole work required removing old stack/re-roofing/removing breast upstairs and downstairs at a reasonable price.

 

[ajrobb]

When i told the BCO that i needed to remove the chimney stack he told me that was the only way and that would not be a problem. Its not a conservtion area as far as i know.

Please, at least ask the LA Planning Control about it. If your projects continue at this rate, you might need Planning Permission in the future. It could pay to get in their good books now.

 

[1stProject]

builders start tomorrow, 9.30am! wot do i do?

 

[1stProject]

just emailed contractoer and sent a copy to the LA. Will resolve this before works start. Sound advice AJ robb sorry i didnt listen to you earlier

 

[Static]

hi static, obviously from the top down you wudn't believe, had a shoddy builder round the other day, he told me to take all of it off and then he'd come and take the stack off and patch the roof up, when i questioned him why he had electrician written of his van he told me he had 9 vans!! LoL

Not in any way suprised.. i hope his spur's didnt mark your carpet..

When i told the BCO that i needed to remove the chimney stack he told me that was the only way and that would not be a problem. Its not a conservtion area as far as i know.

Planning as ajrobb says may be an issue, if no-one else in the area has removed the stack then they may phone the Planners and tip them off to your job.. work stops and you are asked to rebuild the chimney till a planning app is processed.. etc etc..
I find it best to keep my neighbours totally in the loop on any works going on, thus no-one complains when something happens..

 

[ajrobb]

Sound advice AJ robb sorry i didnt listen to you earlier

It was Static who first pointed it out.

Good luck with Planning Control. To get things moving, take along some photos of the front of the house showing the chimney and other houses in the street. Particularly, show other houses that have changed their appearance in other ways. Hopefully they will take one look and say you don't need permission. Otherwise you will need to apply for planning permission.

You might go ahead and remove it now and apply for retrospective permission. In that case, you might have to put back a chimney stack to restore the original appearance, even if it is lightweight fibreglass. £££