Hi all, we are wanting to enlarge our fire place in the lounge. The chimney runs though the first floor and the loft conversion to the top. It has been swept and has passed a pressure test so all ok in that region. It is in the centre of the house and NOT against the adjoining neighbours wall.
It was boxed in and we have knocked out the boxing. We have exposed the lintel (metal) and basically want to knock out bricks on either side to leave a depth of one brick under the lintel and then dress with limestone to create a box effect coming out of the wall. This shall leave the lintel being supported by one brick at the top just under it and then the limestone which shall support 1/2 the top brick on either side to the ground. Does this sound safe? We intend to support the lintel in the middle while working on the sides but I am just concerned that we may be weakening the structure too much.
Any comments will be greatfully received.
It was boxed in and we have knocked out the boxing. We have exposed the lintel (metal) and basically want to knock out bricks on either side to leave a depth of one brick under the lintel and then dress with limestone to create a box effect coming out of the wall. This shall leave the lintel being supported by one brick at the top just under it and then the limestone which shall support 1/2 the top brick on either side to the ground. Does this sound safe? We intend to support the lintel in the middle while working on the sides but I am just concerned that we may be weakening the structure too much.
Any comments will be greatfully received.
