Removing this chimney stack!

EzioSuffolk · 28 Dec 2019

Hi, I’m planning a single storey extension, and want to remove this chimney stack that will (otherwise) be towering over it, and possibly be dropping debris on its roof.

Hopefully these images appear correctly...

IMAGES ARE NOW IN NEW POST BELOW!!

I can either remove the stack until just below the roof tiles (and then making good), or possibly there’s a reasonably cheap way to remove the whole chimney stack down to ground level? Doing this would give more flexibility/space in accessing the extension, rather than needing to ‘work or walk round’ the chimney column.

How feasible is the latter option? Thanks for any advice.

bobasd · 28 Dec 2019

the (IMG) photos wont open?
the c/stack business you ask about - theres lots of info on here: see Related Threads below and use search button.

catlad · 28 Dec 2019

I can't see any images!

EzioSuffolk · 28 Dec 2019

EzioSuffolk · 28 Dec 2019

Photos now included!

I’m asking how easy / sensible is it to remove the whole height of the chimney stack in order to create flexibility when building/knocking through to a new, single floor extension to be built on the rear of the house.
As you can see from the full height photo, the stack ‘half sticks out’ from the house itself.

EzioSuffolk · 28 Dec 2019

Note, I’ll obviously have the old ‘black’ down pipe beside the chimney stack removed too.

bobasd · 28 Dec 2019

thanks for sorting the pics.

you have an external, projecting chimney breast.
given the dimensions of the stack - 18" x 18" - the stack presumably contains a single flue from a fireplace on the ground floor.
its a straightforward job to remove the stack and c/breast.
the SVP projection above the roof plane is also a simple job to drop below the eaves line.

after the brickwork of the c/breast has been removed the old flue line will possibly be soot impregnated.it must be cleaned off.

the internal fire place opening will have to be blocked off.

its not an easy or safe job for a DIY'er - perhaps get the extn builder to do the work? but its sensible to do as you propose.

whether you intend to do this work or use a professional, there's quite a few red flags showing on your pics?
chimney, SVP and extn must all be considered together or you will run into grief.

come back on here if you want any more advice?

EzioSuffolk · 29 Dec 2019

Thanks Bobasd.

If the whole chimney stack is removed, will it disturb the internal walls within the house, especially in the bathroom area?
I.e. is the whole 18”x18” section of brickwork removed, or is it just the part of the stack that projects out from the house that’s removed?

BTW, the chimney stack hasn’t been used for ages and has (somehow) been blocked off / covered up in the fireplace opening behind kitchen units

stuart45 · 29 Dec 2019

The inner skin of the cavity should be separate from the face brickwork, so it's likely that the brickwork can be taken down and made good. You can never be 100% sure from a photo though. I'm guessing that chimney could have been from a floor standing boiler or back outlet stove due to it's size and it's in the kitchen.

Nige F · 29 Dec 2019

stuart45 said:
I'm guessing that chimney could have been from a floor standing boiler or back outlet stove due to it's size and it's in the kitchen.

+1 : and the soot door gives a clue where the stovepipe entered inside

23vc · 29 Dec 2019

I used to have a similar thing on mine. It goes down the corner of a first floor room, then terminates on a big cast conc. slab at first floor height.
I hate those thin chimneys, the wind caught the (massive old skool) tv Ariel on mine, rotated the top 8 courses of bricks by 45 degrees, and almost sent it through my kids bedroom ceiling. I rebuilt it to a lower height. Hardest part of taking it down was managing the concrete slab on the top which had rebar in it

catlad · 29 Dec 2019

It was probably the rebar that saved you!

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Removing this chimney stack!

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