Chimney breast removal

[Lwilkinson1]

Hi,

We are renovating downstairs and are planning to remove the chimney breast to make room for a bigger kitchen. We measured up to order kitchen units and plan to have tall wall units - going almost all the way to the ceiling.

Our builder has told us he will use a concrete lintel to support the ceiling above once the chimney breast is removed but that it won’t affect the ceiling height as it will be hidden in the floorboards?!

Does this sound right? I’m about to order the kitchen but am nervous in case the tall wall units don’t end up fitting! Builder is on hols over Christmas so can’t double check with him.

Thanks

 

[Dereekoo]

Can't visualise where the concrete lintel is to be supported from if he is knocking out the underlying chimney breast?

 

[Loofah]

Think he means at ceiling height so the bottom of the lintel will be just above ceiling allowing for plasterboard. Not entirely sure how he'd plan in fitting it though

 

[Lwilkinson1]

Can't visualise where the concrete lintel is to be supported from if he is knocking out the underlying chimney breast?

Yeah I don’t understand either - how would it usually be supported?

 

[stuart45]

It should be going through building control, with the design done by an SE.

 

[^woody^]

This is notifiable work under building regulations.

The support of the remaining breast/stack needs proper consideration, not just any old lintel from the merchants.

 

[Lwilkinson1]

It should be going through building control, with the design done by an SE.

We definitely did have a SE look at it as it’s part of a bigger job - extension and knocking down walls. We paid money to building control too who came out at the start of the project so I assume this is covered

 

[Lwilkinson1]

We also obtained planning permission from the council

 

[jacko555]

We definitely did have a SE look at it as it’s part of a bigger job - extension and knocking down walls

Surely then this would be detailed in the SE drawing/calcs?

I've only used a SE once, and was provided detailed drawings and instructions for the builder to follow

 

[stuart45]

Check with building control what they want for the chimney support.

 

[Lwilkinson1]

Actually just checked our SE drawings and for some reason they still show the chimney breast in tact. The architect sent the plans to the SE (which show no chimney breast) so I have no idea why this hasn’t been reflected. Should I be worried?

 

[jacko555]

Not worried, just needs some clarification is all.
Can you wait a few days?

 

[Lwilkinson1]

Yes will have to - although will worry between now and then! I recall one builder who we har round for a quote suggested gallows brackets and another steel so I was quite surprised that the builder we went with said a concrete lintel would be fine

 

[stuart45]

It's not up to the builder to decide. Generally nowadays, steels are used.

 

[^woody^]

A steel beam will normally need span across the room (in the ceiling/floor void) to support the front of the breast, and then it may need concrete lintels off that to support the sides, and a steel plate to cover the flue. Sometimes this is not possible.

Use of gallows depends on the condition of the wall, and some councils don't accept them. They will need to be fitted above the ceiling, in the room above.

So it's not a simple case of the builder picking what he wants to do or what he did on his last job. This needs to be designed/calculated by a qualified person and the council inspector agreeing the solution and the builder told what to do.