chimney question

[alp078]

Hi
Whats this on the side of my chimney breast and how might i go about removing it?
Thanks
Alp

Untitled

• alp078
• 2 Jun 2012
• 1

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[tony1851]

Could it be casing for pipework from an old back boiler?

 

[alp078]

Im really not sure, but seems to me like an old vent of sorts. This is the chimney breast in our kitchen and to my knowledge has never had a fire installed. It sems to be metal but covered in paper and several layers of paint, so not certain. The bottom, where you can see in the photo, has something that looks like a tray/drawer that could be removed... perhaps to clear out soot back in the day. Im only guessing though as i really have no clue.

I just wondered if anyone knew before i started hacking off plaster to look more closely. I guess i am wondering how far i may structurallly weaken the chimney by removing it and any impact to the party wall it ties to (the chimney is back to back with next doors and this`box' seems to be embedded into the wall also.

 

[Nige F]

If it`s a tin box - rip it off If it`s a strong metal/cast iron thing , go carefully . round the edges into the plaster to see how far it goes into the brick

 

[maltaron]

I would think that the flue was for an old kitchen range and the "growth" could well be an old pipe casing as has been suggested. I assume that this is an old property and if so there may well have been a water supply tank in the loft with a pumped supply from a well. You mention a party wall, has the neighbours chimney got the same thing?