Chimney breast coming away

[bizron]

Hello,

We decided to remove the stone cladding from the front room chimney breast to reveal the original 19th century fireplace and discovered a crack running all around the chimney from wall to wall (the wall is a party wall). The course of bricks below the crack are no longer load bearing so are loose. On the left hand side there is evidence of black smoke where the crack has allowed smoke to escape, I even saw smoke escaping from the cladding last christmas but chose to ignore it, there were many other jobs to do first. I was wondering if the cladding was put up to hide the problem or if it perhaps caused the problem, the cladding is very heavy perhaps it has sunk the foundations into the soil. Below are the images hope you can see them okay.


Anyway what can you advise, carry on removing the cladding and see what happens? Is the chimney dangerous? Prop the chimney up perhaps? How with what?

Thanks all

Untitled

• bizron
• 23 Sep 2010
• 1

Untitled

• bizron
• 23 Sep 2010
• 1

Untitled

• bizron
• 23 Sep 2010
• 1

Untitled

• bizron
• 23 Sep 2010
• 1

 

[mnb]

Carry on removing all coverings to expose brickwork - return on to your main wall and hack off plaster for 300mm. No propping is required. Remove all rubble as you work dont be clambering over it.
Do not interfere with the plaster run coving at wall-ceiling.
Come back with more photo's after further work.

Cautious if any gas or elec is in vicinity.

 

[joinerjohn]

A bit late to not interfere with the coving now. At least one corner has gone.

 

[bizron]

mnb,

I'll get back to you in a couple of days