Chimney breast

[Ormo]

Hi all just after some advice from the good people on here. We have opened up our fire after taking a old gas fire out. The missus wants to keep the brick on show and would like it opened up so to just have the arch.There is a steel bar running under a layer of brick underneath the arch to the ends of the breast. I have had mixed advice some saying you can take it out as the arch will support itself and others saying it needs to stay in.The chimney breast is 9ft high and the fire gap is about 4ft wide and 4ft 3” to underneath the arch ,bricks feel solid all over and I’ve started taking mortar out so I can repoint, thanks

 

[blup]

The arch looks to be supporting the brick above, independent of the steel bar. Is it a ground floor breast or does it also support the room above.

Blup

 

[Ormo]

it’s the ground floor thanks

 

[Ormo]

There’s a chimney breast above as well thanks

 

[blup]

The steel bar looks to be embedded in either end of the opening, maybe you could grind off the ends to reduce disturbance. But as it is kart if the original wall why not just leave it in and repoint. Your wife can hang some old pots off it.

 

[Ormo]

Thanks

 

[DAZB]

Tha arch does look a bit shabby and not as strong as it could be but you could get some good natural slate and chock it into a few of the vertical joints on the upright soldier course and that will nip up the arch and compress the bricks to hold tighter before you remove anything beneath it. After that you could point it all up and should not be an issue.

 

[Ormo]

Thanks