Do I have cowboy builders? chimney removal

happypeter · 12 Jul 2019

Hi,

We've just had the lower part of a rear chimney removed (in a standard 4 chimney semi detached). I'm starting to wonder at the competency of the builders.

The gallows brackets being used are 6mm steel, the screws 100mm M12. Can anyone comment if this looks sufficient?

cheers

bernardgreen · 12 Jul 2019

The metal work appears to be supporting the joist with little if any support to the bricks of the chimney.

My opinion is that it is possibly sufficient to support the ceiling and floor but does not support the chimney.

stuart45 · 12 Jul 2019

Are you going through Building Control?

happypeter · 12 Jul 2019

We had BC out to view an installed RSJ, the brackets were not up at that point. He was there about 20 seconds. He just asked me to email the calculations for the brackets (builder said calcs were not needed so hadn't had them done). I am now waiting on a structural engineer to do this.

noseall · 12 Jul 2019

happypeter said:
the screws 100mm M12

They are expanding bolts by the looks of it.

From all intents and purposes it looks fairly robust. Has it been designed and passed by BC?

stuart45 · 12 Jul 2019

The SE will give you the answer you require. Gallows brackets are not always acceptable. Certain councils don't like them at all. For example they should not be used into lime mortar.

happypeter · 12 Jul 2019

Thanks for the replies. I will get an acro prop up and give the builder the benefit of the doubt for the time being. See what the SE says.

Munroast · 12 Jul 2019

looks hopeless to me, is that just flat plate sitting on top of the gallows style angle iron ?

for me the bare minimum would have been back to back 10mm think angle iron(bolted or welded together) with the ends mortised into the walls by at least 4 inches.

Ian H · 12 Jul 2019

No expert but if you google Gallows Brackets every one has some diagonals in it too.

JP_ · 12 Jul 2019

I have no idea about the support, but agree it looks a bit iffy.
I had chimneys removed all the way to the top, from the top down. Safer, and better finish all round, with no nice places for animals to moisture to hide.

^woody^ · 12 Jul 2019

What I tend to do, is look for the clues when they set up camp.

Nozzle · 12 Jul 2019

Those brackets do need a diagonal. Without it, they'll soon buckle.

Nozzle

JP_ · 12 Jul 2019

^woody^ said:
What I tend to do, is look for the clues when they set up camp.

I didn't know you were an artist, Woody! That's the best thing I've seen on this site for a while.

Notch7 · 12 Jul 2019

happypeter said:
builder said calcs were not needed

Builder is wrong.

JP_ · 12 Jul 2019

Did he even look to see how big the chimney was above? Looks like he's used guesswork and hope.

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Do I have cowboy builders? chimney removal

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