Chimney Breast Removal Help

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Hi - looking for some advice.

Just moved into an old Victorian bungalow which had two chimneys - one in each of the current bedrooms.

The house has a loft conversion which was done years ago, so the chimney stacks have been completely removed.

All that is left is the two chimney breasts at ground level. I would like to get these knocked out to open up more space.

Since the stacks have already been removed, (so nothing to support above) what are the chances that the remaining breast is not structural and could just be knocked out?

I would plan on doing this myself with my Dad as he has just removed his whole chimney himself - but his looked a lot more simple as it was not against another brick wall, virtually freestanding. The ones I have in my house are built up against brick walls.

Thanks
 
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Shouldn't be a problem, provided you have a few walls at right angles to the walls with the breasts to maintain lateral stability. I never know whether you need to involve building control in this situation, I think not, given that when I did mine (steels in loft), it was all signed off and completion certificate issued as soon as the steels were in. One of the breasts is still there 5 years later!
 
I'd be fairly certain a single sided breast will be tied to the main wall rather than built in, but, with the Victorians, you can never be certain. Just go carefully to start with and you'll soon know. Assuming this is brick, I'd guess a tie brick every 5 or 7 courses.
 

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